Preparedness (The True Meaning of Preparedness)

In a world marked by uncertainty and unforeseen challenges, the concept of preparedness often conjures images of stockpiled goods and doomsday preppers. However, true preparedness is a multifaceted and evolving journey that goes well beyond these stereotypes. It’s about more than just survival; it’s about living our best possible lives, regardless of the circumstances we face.

To shed light on this broader perspective, we delve into the PREPAREDNESS acronym, a guide that encompasses a range of essential qualities. Each letter represents a trait that empowers us to navigate life’s twists and turns with resilience, adaptability, and compassion. From being present in the moment to mastering the art of self-reliance, we’ll explore how these traits combine to create a comprehensive and empowering approach to preparedness.

Join me on this transformative journey as I redefine what it means to be truly prepared for life’s challenges.

The Definition of Preparedness

Yes, the definition of preparedness is “All the efforts taken to survive, minimize unwanted struggle, and live your best possible life.” We know that. I’ve talked about that several times.

The definition of preparedness is the basis of the Goals of Preparedness:

Survival: Avoiding massive trauma and maintaining homeostasis.

Minimize Unwanted Struggle: Wanted struggle is excellent, but unwanted struggle of illness, financial hardship, family problems, etc., is something the human condition prompts us to avoid.

Living your best possible life: We should all aim for this goal. After all, what’s the point of surviving and minimizing unwanted struggle if it’s not to live your best possible life? This is the goal many who focus on preparedness get wrong.

What People Get Wrong About Preparedness

What people (most people) get wrong when they think about emergency preparedness is the why and how of preparedness. Most people focus on the first goal of preparedness and stop there. They focus on survival. And yes, as you will all read in my book, Mind4Survival, if you don’t survive, there’s no opportunity to get to the living your best possible life part of living.

So yes, there is a need to prepare for that. And once you’re stocked up on enough food, water, toilet paper, diapers, security, and so forth to keep you and your family safe, you’re set for survival. Sure, you can add and do more. However, it doesn’t need to dominate your life at the expense of living. As I’ve said before, don’t let your worry of tomorrow destroy your today.

Yes, you should have a vehicle safety kit that you check every once in a while. Yes, obtaining CPR, first aid, and Stop the Bleed training are all excellent training everyone should attend. Sure, knowing how to defend yourself and preparing for when an emergency occurs is fantastic. Basically, we should all be our own first responders. And all that is just the base level of preparedness, what is typically referred to as disaster preparedness, but which only scratches the surface of what preparedness truly means.  Yes, prepping for manmade and natural disasters is only part of being prepared.

I believe if people only focus on that, they’re missing so much more opportunity to live their best possible life. I think of it like someone who repeats the first grade repeatedly. There’s only so much you can get out of it before it’s time to move on and improve yourself past the basics.

What is Preparedness

Preparedness is so much more than bandaids, beans, and bunkers. Preparedness is how you set yourself up to succeed at the third and ultimate goal of preparedness—to live your best possible life. So, with that, I will break down what actual readiness is—the true preparedness that happens outside of the traditional view of prepping.

To begin, the PREPAREDNESS that I’m talking about,