3 Tips for Becoming the Most Prepared Individual in 2021

Posted by Jake Riviera on May 11th, 2021

Everyone knows that one person, the one who is never flustered by drama and you can rely on her to have the perfect tool for any unusual circumstance. This year that person can be you. If you want to be the kind of person who is prepared for anything and ready to take on the challenge, read on for three tips on becoming the most prepared individual in 2021.

Take Care of the Little Stuff

Prepared people can tell you that having the bandwidth to handle change agilely means making sure the little things are always taken care of, and your plate is clear. Pay your rent or mortgage on time, make sure your car insurance and registration are up to date, get your oil changed, see your doctor annually. If you're the type of person who forgets these things, start tracking them in either an online calendar with reminders or use an old-fashioned calendar. The basics don't have to be expensive. For example, you can look for cheap car insurance or find a community health center if you don't have health insurance.

There are two ways that taking care of the basics will make you better prepared. First, you'll save money that comes with late fees or fines. Driving without insurance may seem like a less expensive alternative, but even a minor fender bender can become a catastrophic experience without it, not to mention possible ticket fines. Paying your monthly expenses on time saves you late fees that can add up to hundreds of dollars each month that are doing absolutely nothing for you. Also, by taking care of maintenance on your home, car and body, you can nip issues in the bud before they become huge expenses.

Prepare for Emergencies Where Possible

The whole idea of an emergency is that you don't know it's coming, but that doesn't mean there aren't ways to prepare for at least some emergencies. Start by keeping your house stocked for emergencies. As anyone who survived the toilet paper run of 2020 can tell you, trying to find something when everyone else wants it to is no way to live. Instead, stock up on those items you might need for an emergency well before it happens. Besides toilet paper, be ready with plenty of nonperishable foods. Stock up with some supplies you can eat for at least three days if you lose power. If any of that is canned, make sure you have a manual can opener too. This is also good for when your emergency is just not having time to cook. Besides food, stock up on over-the-counter medications you might need, especially if you live alone and no one can go to the store for you when you're sick.

Treat your car to the same overhaul. Check the condition of your spare tire. Make sure you have jumper cables. Buy an emergency car kit with flares and other emergency necessities like an emergency blanket. Keep a gallon of water in the car and a couple of energy bars. If you break down in bad weather you'll be ready to stay warm and fed in your car until you can get moving again. Being prepared isn't just cool, it can save your life.

Be Mindful

One of the best things you can do to be prepared for anything is to practice mindfulness. Start each day with a meditation session, even if that's just a couple of minutes of focusing on your breathing. Be aware of your internal responses throughout the day so that you can respond to the reactions you may be having subconsciously. Bring those reactions to the fore and consider how you want to deal with them so you control your emotions, they don't control you. Mindfulness is also about living in the now. Plan for the future but don't worry about it. Remember the past but don't dwell on it.

By practicing mindfulness in conjunction with taking care of your business and maintaining preparedness, you'll be ready for anything life cares to throw at you this year.