Many times our message is
lost in the way it is expressed. One of the hosts and guest speakers at The
Ready, Set, Prep Summit in Irving, Texas, Mark Hyland of Food
Insurance , brought up this fact when the discussion turned to how we can
make the message of being prepared more effective. Too many times words like disaster
or crisis create a very negative view in people’s minds. If we want more people
to be prepared, we may need to re-examine how to get our message across to
those persons who aren’t prepared.
There is a mindset amongst
many individuals that a disaster or a crisis is something that happens to other
people. It’s something we hear about on the radio, see on TV or read about on
the internet. They take the view that it is something that happens to other
people. They mistakenly think it will never happen to them. This makes it
extremely difficult sometimes to get people on board with the need for being
prepared for the next “unexpected event”.
We all have family members
or friends that may see us as slightly different because of our views about
being prepared. Personally, I prefer being prepared to being a refuge. I would
also like to think that my family members and friends don’t want to wind up a
refuge waiting for help or a handout from some government agency that may be
slow in coming. This is where semantics is important.
It should be a lot easier to
get family and friends involved if we use the right message. I agree with Mark
that it will be a lot easier to get people on board with being prepared if we
use better terminology when discussing the need to be prepared. The use of his
new term “unexpected event” can cover
a lot of areas that other words like disaster or crisis don’t. The “unexpected event” may be a lay-off from
work, a sudden health issue or a major and quite unexpected maintenance issue with
our home or vehicle. The term “unexpected
event” also doesn’t carry the negative connotations of the other terms that
are frequently used when discussing preparedness issues.
If you’re having trouble
getting your family members or friends involved in preparedness, you may need
to talk with them about the unexpected events that could occur in their lives.
Mark Hyland is the CEO of Food Insurance . Thanks Mark for some
valuable insight on how we can help others be better prepared for an
“unexpected event”.
Got unexpected event?
Staying above the water
line!
Riverwalker
Posts
7 comments:
I am often puzzled by people's behavior towards 'The Prepper'. Most of us carry insurance for events like a home burning down or car accident. Its a lot of money after 20 - 30 years go by and not even a single claim is made. Think of all that money wasted - you gain nothing.
Then the unthinkable happens and all of a sudden, you are so grateful that insurance policy is around to help out recover, at least financially. Illnesses, injuries, loss of job - Life happens. Those preps can be quite a cushion if those events occur, helping you save money in the bargain.
So why should a Prepper be viewed as paranoid ? In point of fact, those preps are just insurance IN CASE bad events occur.
Excellent point, as is the one by "Anonymous."
Keep the message going. It doesn't cost a fortune, just some time to make sure you are prepared. I maintain two homes, a modest one where I want to live, and a small townhouse in the city, where I work, the commute being too much to do daily (150 plus miles).
Even the little crash pad has a month's worth of water, tools, emergency gear and dried and stored food that will last a few months. If I can bug out with it, it will all fit in the vehicle, but if there is a natural disaster that doesn't allow me to go "home" I have the basics to keep warm, safe and fed.
That's just good sense.
To: Anon 12:25
I think the main problem is "disaster denial". A lot of people tell themselves it'll never happen to them.
Maybe using some different terminology may help them to avoid this denial.
Thanks.
RW
To: Gorges
I agree on both counts...bad things do happen to good people.
Thanks Gorges.
RW
To: Brigid
Not only does it make good sense, it's also the common sense way to handle life's problems...both large and small. Even the little things can seriously ruin your day if you haven't taken care of the basics.
Thanks Brigid.
RW
Yea, never use the word "Prepper," it just scares the beeJeez out of people. "Unexpected Event" seems to work. However, some people won't prepare to care for their families even if it isn't unexpected.....remember we had days and days of warning before Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. We are hit with hurricanes every few years and yet many people will wait til the last minute and then try and find food, batteries and such. They do the same with each storm. Makes it hard for me to think about helping them with my hard earned supplies.
I just prep in secret and hope I will be able to provide for my own.
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