The Power of Habits and Goals

Tell me what your habits are and I will tell you how your life is today and how it will most likely be in ten years. Your entire life revolves around your daily habits (which will lead you to your goals) so it only stands to reason that no goals and bad habits can lead to challenges, problems, and loss whereas a set of good habits and firmly entrenched, positive, goals will probably lead you to success, health, wealth, and all of those other nice things.
The reason I am writing about habits and goals today is because I decided to start my New Year's resolutions tomorrow, December 1st, instead of January 1st like everyone else. I guess it really doesn't matter when you begin to work towards improving your habits and moving towards your goals, so the sooner, the better right? I can't remember the day I began walking three miles a day on the treadmill, EVERY day, first thing, as soon as I roll out of bed in the morning; I just got tired of being out of shape, lumpy in all of the wrong places, and unable to look in the mirror without thinking that I used to have a rock solid body...and now look at it. Anyway, in an effort to develop some better habits and work towards some significant goals, I will start doing the following tomorrow:

1. Health: continue walking three miles a day, every day and NO MORE caffeine (daily exercise and cutting out Starbucks will go a long way toward improving my health)
2. Wealth: become debt free by April 30, 2009 (I'm close...just need to keep forging ahead)
3. Home: renovate home, yard, and out buildings by August 30, 2009 (the house is fairly new but hasn't had a lot of attention paid to it over the past few really busy years; by this summer I want it to be in pristine condition)
4. Travel: take four multi-country vacations by December 31, 2009 (one of my life goals is to visit all 315 countries/places on the Travelers Century Club list)
5. Serving others: serve others with a positive attitude whenever possible (I recently found out there is a difference between "helping" others and "serving" others)
6. Productivity: answer all calls and email daily (I'm lazy...I don't always do this but should)
7. Learning: study a different language each day of the work week--Spanish, Japanese, Tagalog, Chinese, Arabic (again, I'm lazy and while I have varying degree of fluency in these languages, I need to practice regularly...which I have been slacking on)
8. Preparedness: update the CNI website daily, update the CNI blog daily, participate in two preparedness training opportunities in 2009 (I haven't decided what these will be but a week at LFI, Tom Browns place, or Blackwater would be fascinating)
9. Business: either make my businesses a lot more hands off or sell them by December 2009 (another life goal is to have a very portable business--such as writing--so that I can travel and enjoy a wider range of learning opportunities)
10. Do a WOW project: this may be biking from Canada to Mexico, doing the 88 Shikoku Temple Trek in Japan, or organizing another huge family reunion (we do this every few years at some location around the world and usually have 30 to 50 family members and friends show up...it's just that it usually falls to the spouse and I to organize it...and like I said, I am a bit lazy...)

Anyway, those shall be my goals which will require a good set of daily habits in order to reach them. Have you made your list of New Year's Resolutions yet?

Homelessness--Some Thoughts

I've never actually been homeless. The people I have known who were homeless happened to be so by choice; generally they were travelers who had no home but did have money, a way to earn more money, and a purpose (usually getting to the next country or the next experience). However the topic has fascinated me ever since I followed the blog of a guy who was homeless at NYU quite a few years ago. Recently I read the book "Breakfast at Sally's" and also had the opportunity to interview some illegal immigrants who came here with nothing and were basically homeless. I did a bit of further research and the following are some thoughts I have on the topic:

• Anyone can become homeless...a divorce, long term injury or illness, fleeing from violence, losing a job...all of these can move a person from a 3000 square foot home in the 'burbs to a downtown alley.
• Alcohol, drug, domestic violence, and mental health issues seem to exacerbate such situations.
• Stuff to have if you're homeless: a PO Box, ID (passport, ID card, driver's license), a prepaid cell phone would be nice, a bank account, social skills, a monthly bus pass, a monthly membership to the Y or a gym (for showers), a library card (for free computer use), contacts in the community for couch surfing opportunities also would be nice.
• Stuff to be if you're homeless: presentable (if you look homeless you seem to be hassled and targeted much more often), creative and clever and able to identify and take advantage of any opportunity that arises.
• Challenges: finding a dry place to sleep every night, the possibility of violence, social stigma, being shunned by society/friends/former coworkers/family, not being able to trust anyone in your new circle of associates.
• Resources: free meals in the community for the homeless, social service benefits (food stamps, maybe housing, etc), discounts (low income bus passes, low income cell phone service).
• Cars: some homeless have cars or motor homes which adds a bit to the person's safety, dry sleep environment, and ability to get around however paying for gas, maintenance, repairs, and insurance can be a challenge.

I guess the best way to avoid becoming homeless would be to stay sober and sane, have a wide variety of contacts who would help you out if needed, keep money in an emergency fund (especially if you are in a domestic violence situation or if your job is in a tenuous situation), and be proactive in whatever situation you find yourself in (ie: some people see their job being more finite than expected yet they still keep shopping and spending like they will have the job forever or they know they are losing their house but make no concerted effort to find another place to live or a bundle of new jobs to pay for it).

The Mumbai Attacks--Some Lessons Learned

If you've been anywhere near a newspaper or television news over the last couple of days, you will have heard about the terrorists attacks in Mumbai. While the horror and tragedy of it all usually make the top of the headlines, I was pleased to read the following article, as instead of giving the gristly details (ie: 'if it bleeds, it leads'), it provided a number of lessons on what to do in such an event. Here's some lessons and some commentary:

Some caveats...

• No matter what these people did to survive, it doesn't mean that the people who died in the attack did the "wrong" things. Living through an unexpected attack has a lot to do with luck and only a little to do with skill. You can have the best military training in the world and die in such an attack, or the worst survival skills possible and still live, so like life, surviving such an ordeal is a crap shoot.
• Just because the attacks happened in Mumbai, it doesn't mean that one should never travel to this beautiful country or that one should never travel overseas; you can just as easily be killed in your Barcolounger in your living room should a tree fall on your house or a stray bullet hit you. Random attacks are, um, random, which means you never know when or where such a thing will happen.

Some lessons from the people in the article...

• They used their cell phones to text for help. I always bring a not so new (so the unlock codes are available) cell phone with me when I travel. Simply pay a few dollars in nearly any country to have the phone "unlocked" and buy a local sim card for it and you are ready to call or text.
• They had the contacts they needed in their cell phones. Another travel lesson, as soon as you get to said country, save a bunch of numbers to the phone memory including a number for the nearest US embassy, the number to the local CNN or other news outlet, the number to emergency contacts in and outside of the country, the number to your hotel, etc.
• They stayed put during the attack. This could have gone either way but generally, if it is safe to do so, you should stay where you are at, as running through a barrage of terrorist bullets and grenades is likely to get you kidnapped or shot. On the other hand, staying put could make you a sitting duck--you need to use your best instincts at such a time.
• They did some simple things such as locking the door and barricading it, putting tape over the peep hole so the light wouldn't be seen by the attackers, putting towels around the door to block out light and smoke, and keeping the curtains closed. I would also consider checking into the hotel with a local-sounding name (or at least one that doesn't scream "American tourist!').
• Be ready to be mobile. Some people travel with a few heavily-laden suitcases and fancy dress shoes. I, for one, like the one-backpack and sturdy shoe method of travel. As it said in the article, they could only leave with what they could easily carry.
• They devised a plan. The only way they would know if the person who was knocking on their door was a rescuer or attacker was with a code word. Good idea.
• They had food and drinks on hand. I never travel anywhere without a bag full of food--you never know how long a layover will be or how long it will take to reach a decent restaurant.
• They weren't armed. While I am all for being armed in the US, I highly recommend against such a thing in a foreign country. You think it is a major hassle if you shoot someone here, you ain't seen nothing until you get into an armed combat situation overseas. If you feel the need for added protection, hire a local (trusted) security detail.
• Some other ideas not mentioned in the article: stay away from the tourists spots, they make a prime target for this type of attack as well as for local pickpockets, kidnappers, and the like. Develop relationships in the area you are staying at--become known to the hotel staff, the local restaurant staff, etc--in a time of trouble these people will be much more likely to help someone they "know". If possible, have a local contact who can show you around the city/act as your bodyguard/show you where to and where not to go/introduce you to the local culture; they can be found through friends and relatives, associations, etc. and can teach you how to stay safe (or at least haul your ass to the embassy in a hurry if need be).

Giving Thanks

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the US. If you are reading this, you have a computer and internet. You probably also have a home, heat, and food. If you are a regular reader, you may also have cash to tide you over a rough spot, a stockpile of food, and a network of friends and family members to depend on in an emergency. Many people don't have some of these things, while others in your own city may have NONE of these things. Thanksgiving, fortunately one of the least commercial holidays of the year, reminds us to be thankful for the things that we do have. Here's some things to do on this special day:

• Write a list of what you are thankful for and keep it in your wallet. Sometimes when things are going to crap, you may want to take out the list and remind yourself that things aren't as bad as they seem.
• If you are going out to eat, leave the waiter/waitress as big a tip as you can ($10, $20. $50, even $100!). More than likely they would rather be with their family but really need to work--this gesture would make their day!
• Give to the homeless. I don't mean writing a check and mailing it to an organization, I mean cooking up some food or gathering up some warm clothes and going out to find where the homeless are gathered in your city (usually churches, the Salvation Army, etc) and giving them tangible items such as food or clothes that they can use.
• Vow to have a great attitude and exceptional patience today. The holidays can get crazy and stressful, just for today, don't let anything bother you.
• Volunteer. If you are alone, or want to experience the holiday with your family in a different way, consider volunteering at a local homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or other place that serves the hungry. It will be an enlightening experience for all.
• Take a plate of food or a special dessert to an elderly neighbor, the single mother with a passel of kids, or the family whose mom is ill or father is jobless; a little giving will go a long way to make the day better for all.

We all have a lot to be thankful for. While most of the other days of the year we are all about preparedness for us and ours, do something out of the ordinary to make this day something to remember for ourselves and others in our community.

Road ID--Suggestion From a Reader

Here's a suggestion from a reader...
I was finally putting my "30 must carry items" together and I want to tell you of a great product that I use. It is called the Road Id from www.roadid.com. It is a wrist band or necklace that you wear for emergency personnel to better assist you. In it you list your name, address, phone number and emergency contacts, etc. You also list your doctors, medications/dosages, allergies etc. You can maintain it by changing what ever needs to be corrected by simply going online. On the bracelet it lists your name, city, state and the call number and/or web address for the emergency personnel to gather your info. On the back of the bracelet lists the serial number and pin number for them to look at your info on the spot while you are being treated. The band is also reflective for nighttime protection. It costs 19.95 a year but I unfortunately need this and the emt's said that it was a HUGE help to them. I swear by it. Plus, it is less you need to carry and has more information for those critical situations. Take a look, I think that it would make a great post. I bought one for my whole family because they work!
Since preparedness is all about learning from others so we don't have the learn via the 'school of hard knocks', suggestions from readers are very much appreciated. Having worked in the EMS field, I can tell you that the more information the medics have when they arrive on scene, the better--whether it is known allergies or medical conditions or who to call when you are being carted off to the hospital or morgue. It never fails that someone will be jogging, biking, or in a car load of people and won't have ID on them when they get in an accident, thus delaying the notification to the family, sometimes by hours or days.

10 Reasons to Have a Cash-Only Spending Plan

I am a big fan of having a cash-only spending plan. Here's some reasons why:

1. You can't spend more than you have like you can do with credit cards.
2. Credit card air miles are a joke--nearly impossible to use due to all of the rules you need to follow to use them (plus you have to book almost a year in advance to get a seat!).
3. Cash can't be declined like an over-extended credit card.
4. You will spend less by using cash than with a credit card--it's a proven fact.
5. You can be confident that you can handle any financial emergency if you are carrying a wallet full of cash instead of nearly maxed out credit cards.
6. You will often get a better deal at stores and gas stations if you pay with cash.
7. Using cash means you don't have to pay interest on your purchases.
8. Cash can't be refused (yet) unlike certain types of credit cards (some places don't take Discover or AmEx cards due to the type of precessing company they use).
9. There are no "surprise" fees when you use cash such as over limit or an NSF fees.
10. Using cash means your purchases can't be traced like they could be with a credit card trail.

Hope When You're Feeling Hopeless

We're living in trying times. Job loss, investment loss, business loss, home loss...and the list goes on. Usually after traumatic financial loss, things like divorce, depression, and suicide go up too. For all of the times when you are feeling hopeless remember that there is always someone in a worst situation than you, remember that things are always changing and eventually they will change for the better, and seek solace in learning how others have handled what at the time seemed like hopeless situations. Here's some good books:

• Breakfast At Sally's
• How Starbucks Saved My Life
• Tales of a Female Nomad