A Prep Strategy Is Flexible, NOT Rigid

Remember when you started prepping?  Maybe you made a list of things you wanted to buy, courses of action for how you would achieve a short or long term end state.  Now it’s been 1, 3, 5, 10 years since you originally made that list and I have to ask: did things go exactly as planned?

In general I feel that people must be flexible, adaptable, willing to change and most importantly self aware.  If you cannot understand (or admit) your own strengths and weaknesses how can you begin to improve?  In the same respect a prep strategy must be flexible and not rigid, there must be allowances for changes to the plan.  Priorities change based on new knowledge or other circumstances.  What was originally near the top of a list sinks down to the middle, new items or skills are added, knowledge is gained and courses of action change.

I know there are some individuals out there who are stuck in their ways.  They do things one way, the only way, according to their one plan…and that is the way it will be.  As long as those individuals exist within their comfort zone they are fine but if a curve ball is thrown their way things get uncomfortable really quick.  Their one trick pony plan is gone and they are left grasping at straws so to speak.  In some circles those individuals would be referred to to as the type who cannot exist within the gray area.  They simply cannot deal with ambiguity, doomed to exist in a world of black and white.  Don’t let that person be you!

Have a flexible prep plan which is open to change.  Mine is constantly evolving based on various factors.  In recent years I can think of how the top priority on my list changed:

  • – Buying weapons and ammunition
  • – Home security, which includes buying the right dog
  • – Attending various survival based courses
  • – Stockpiling over 1 year’s worth of food
  • – Water and more water
  • – Buying land and finding that soon-to-be bugout/weekend resort

The plan is ever changing and never locked in.  In recent weeks I sorted through making sure I had a long range (bolt action) rifle, shoring up my water supply after the incident in Toledo, and am currently working on backup power via a custom battery bank.  If you had asked me 2 months ago what my plans where they probably would not have included any of the above mentioned items, at that time I think I was more focused on putting lead downrange with various pistols.

I realize I might be preaching to the choir here but just remember that you shouldn’t be tied to one course of action.  Just because you made a list a month / year ago does not mean that you have to stick to it.  Times change, priorities change, people change.  Be flexible, adaptable, self aware and you and your prep strategy will be much better off.

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1 comment

    • J on September 6, 2014 at 11:52 AM
    • Reply

    This brings to mind a saying from my time inn the military,”no operations order survives first contact”, meaning no plan goes unchanged when implemented.

    In my opinion, flexibility is your friend.

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