Page 9 - Verge eMag April 2018

So, as cliché as it sounds, begin where you are. Take small steps. Begin with a realistic,
objective assessment of your current situation, and move forward from there.

Knowledge and skills. This is the easiest tool to acquire and perfect. Infinite sources of
material are at the fingertips of anyone with a computer and the internet. How-to videos
abound. A good place to start is by filling your intellectual toolbox.

Essential materials. Many of the tools and materials you need to survive any situation
are inexpensive and readily available. You may have several of them at home already.
Someone with a light bag of materials and the knowledge of how to use them can live
for quite some time in any environment.

A plan. “If you fail to plan, you are planning to
fail.” (Benjamin Franklin) The lack of knowing
where to start and the fear of not knowing
where to go often prevents any planning from
being done. All that is necessary is a simple
plan. In fact, the most basic plans are often
the best as they have the fewest moving parts
and present the least opportunities for failure.

In subsequent articles we will look at ways to accurately assess the current situation
and start…taking steps. This will not be a comprehensive list of tasks, but a general
idea meant to start the juices flowing. Let the journey begin.