Harvey, Irma, Jose, Mexico City, Nepal…as hurricanes and earthquakes continue to devastate, we would be remiss if we didn’t take at least one lesson and make some change.
Joumor Principles (JP):
- Preparation Prevents Panicking
- Prepare for Famine During Feast
- Backup, Backup, Backup
- Eat Before You’re Hangry
- Do what you CAN
It’s so easy (and fun) to be lulled into a sense of safety and security when things are going well. But when the winds hit the fan, we see where we really are: are we prepared for a crisis? What is the state of our infrastructure? Do we even have an infrastructure? Who can we call or go to for backup?
In most crises of this kind, there is no backup and no infrastructure. Putting global warming aside, let’s say that we cannot prevent storms or disasters or terrorist attacks…no matter how prepared we are we can’t prevent bad things from happening. But what we CAN prevent are the devastating effects that these events cause due to our lack of preparation.
Here’s a tiny example:
Imagine if your laptop were stolen or ruined, (Gd forbid!).
Would you: calmly connect a new machine and download your old computer onto the new one OR freak out?
Would you: access your securely saved passwords and re-apply them across all platforms OR freak out and waste time, stress, and possibly spend money trying to access your accounts?
When things are going well, use that time to build and fortify your infrastructure:
- Backup your data.
- Save $$ for an emergency fund.
- Donate to charity from a place of abundance
- Make sure you have someone/s to call and support in case of emergency.
- Learn how to escape in case of fire or flood
- Learn what to do if the electricity goes out
- Share the practical information you learn with those around you
- Confirm that support systems are in place and not worn out or compromised…
The list to prepare for unknown and unimaginable devastation/what we can’t control is infinite, but the lesson is singular: If you don’t have an infrastructure that can support an attack powerfully, you have work to do.
The vast majority of people, companies, and governments avoid strengthening their infrastructures, and focus on the new instead. And yet, rebuilding after a collapse or marketing to get new clients are much more costly and unknown than (JP) Using what you already have.
Investing in your infrastructure with a building inspector, contractor, coach, lawyer or accountant will be a fraction of what you’ll pay last minute to fix or recreate what you never put in place.
Ask yourself:
Am I a palm tree or an oak tree? Could I wait till the storm passes and then shake myself up and get up again, or will I fall heavily and stay down?
Take the opportunity to help yourself one thing at a time-
- Save your passwords where you can find them.
- Backup your data.
- Unsubscribe from unneeded subscriptions.
- Make sure the fire alarm works.
- Get an assistant.
Whatever you need to do (this is different for everyone)- you KNOW what many of those things are. Do them now before you have to to become stronger and more flexible…so you don’t have to pay the price.
Leah
PS, Want to examine and fortify your infrastructure? Ask me about the Joumor Intro Strategy Session.