4 Key Questions to Ask When Prepping for a Crisis
There is not one of us who will escape the occasional crisis in our life – events that challenge all of our coping skills as we come face to face with extreme physical, financial or psychological threats.
And while, by their very nature, crises are unpredictable, there is value in making specific plans to deal with these challenges.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
So, whether you are preparing for a hurricane, serious medical illness, or financial setback, consider these vital questions when you are planning for crises in your own life.
1: What is the Worse-Case Scenario?
You have heard the expression, “Hope for the best; prepare for the worst.” This is a great advice and a way to try to predict the unpredictable, by thinking of all the ways that the crisis could unfold in your own life. So, for example, in preparing for a hurricane, first consider “What if we lost power?” Then make is worse – “What if we also lost water and communication.”
Professional emergency planners do this during preparation exercises by repeatedly making the crisis worse, which forces participants to think about and develop solutions for unanticipated problems.
Key Takeaway: Considering worst case scenarios will improve your plan by helping you prepare for likely complications.
2: What Would I Actually Do?
When crisis hits, our ability to mobilize and organize actions is often severely impaired. Take another key lesson from emergency professionals. Make a checklist of specific actions you would actually DO in times of crisis. What’s important here is to resist vague items like “I would try to find another job.” Instead, write down clear, specific, and actionable steps you would take when addressing the problem.
Key Takeaway: If you take the time to add to and refine this list over time, you will have a practical and useful tool if the crisis hits.
3: What People Would I Turn To?
If you lost your job or your home tomorrow, who could you turn to? This question is probably the single most important one you can answer in preparing for extreme life challenges. Why? Because the amount of social support is consistently one of the most important predictors of how well we recover from life’s tough problems.
Make two lists:
List A - the people you can truly rely on. These are trusted friends and relatives who are emotionally invested in your well-being and would always be there for you in times of trouble.
List B - (likely longer than List A) the people who you could probably call on for one or two small favors when you are in need.
Both of these sources of support are important.
4: What Systems Would I Turn To?
This is a critical question that is often forgotten. Many people do not realize that there are other significant sources of physical, emotional, and financial support available to us in times of crisis. So, in creating your personal crisis plan, make a third List C, and ask yourself: “What local agencies exist in my community that I could approach for help?”
We often overlook these sources of support, such as religious or volunteer organizations, whose very mission is to help in times of crisis. And don’t forget to think about web-based organizations that might also provide temporarily support at times of extreme need.
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