5 Ways to Prepare Yourself for Sandy

Hurricane Sandy is about to devastate the East Coast. Here are five things can you do on your own to prepare for the fallout, regardless of where you live.

The storm that is now gaining strength just off the East coast of the US and Canada will cause widespread devastation and another pinch on resources. It will also cause residual effects on social levels. Here are five ways you can prepare for the likelihood that your home will be in the wake of  such aftershocks.

1    1.  Get yourself oriented. Take stock of your bills and resources. Make sure you have items on hand should times get tough and you need to be prepared to take care of yourself and/or your family on less than what you have now. Keep in mind that the stock market is shut down and there will continue be hefty cost to the affected states, businesses and citizens here and around the globe. Even just the preparation for this storm has caused hundreds of millions of transactions, trades and dollars to stop moving. Resources are being used for generators, boarding up buildings, sand and emergency supplies. All of these and other factors like travel and communication will affect our market and quality of life. Prepare ahead and keep calm. Keep yourself as relaxed and focused as possible. Tune into opportunity and resolution and you will have the ability to move forward.

2       2. Plan to help out. In times of need, there is never a shortage of ways you can help another. Helping also reduces the burden on local and National resources that are badly needed in these times of change and transformation. Help your friend, family or neighbor with their planning. Check on those with less faculties or ability to communicate like the elderly or children in your community and social network. One in four children in our country reportedly go to bed hungry, many people are now without a home and in order to correct these social ills, we all need to help –even when we have less than we need for ourselves. 

      Tip: Help in ways that decrease your own waste or in ways that do not add to your liabilities. For example, my mother Good Day Catering and if there is more food than they can use, it is donated directly or to local shelters and the Salvation Army. She is helping a lot with little added cost and less waste.

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           3. Work smarter, work harder. Those who are capable should assist to make up for the lack of work and lack of opportunity that exists during and after the wakes of such a huge weather event. Google cancelled its Android Event – no doubt costing a lot in lost planning dollars, less production due to lost hours of labor and so on. Obama is cancelling political rallies and Romney has just donated a tour bus to relief efforts. All of this has costs and we can help to offset those by working hard in our own fields and keeping mindful of new opportunities for us or for our personal network. You can also help to be a resource for others you may know that are in the directly affected area. Do you have family that needs help making calls or sending emails? Plan ahead if at all possible, call and offer help. Can you contact their insurance company on their behalf, send supplies? Be a resource, be a resource.

4       4. Stay positive. Things may get worse before they get better. Keep positive and set realistic goals both large and small. Have goals and plans for the various areas of your life as well so that you don’t get imbalanced and stunt your growth. For example, don’t work really hard but ignore your social needs. Make sure you are visiting with people and getting fresh, natural air. Keep active and focus on the opportunities in any situation. Be aware of your value and don’t forget to celebrate as you handle your tasks or reach your goals. You are your best ally. 

          5. Stay informed, but don’t obsess over the news. I have a tendency to do this. I’ve read too much, perhaps, but the news as well as some of the stories are manipulated, sold and can only be taken at face value. Keep yourself aware of happenings and influence them by participating and discussing your ideas with others, but don’t obsess. Keep focused and on track even in the eye of a large and looming storm - you’ll be strengthened in kind.