Once you learn about all the possible solutions, we want you to commit to quick, decisive action! We believe the GridEmergency solution is the best, least expensive and fastest way for everyone to be protected. This approach takes care of everything in about 15 hours of effort per person. However, if you prefer another option, we still encourage vigorous action. That will improve your security, and then you will feel less stressed.
By the way, strongly consider asking one of your friends to be a “goal support buddy.” Twice a week, one of you calls the other. In the 5-10 minute call, you each do two things. You talk about your progress since the last call, and you make specific plans up until the next call. This can help you stay motivated. One big secret of success is to plan what you will say in advance, to keep it short.
Building commitment and motivation
Doing these 11 steps makes you part of a movement of citizens who are protecting the entire country. It can be said that the electric utilities have failed to protect the American people. It can be said that the government has failed to protect the American people. But let it never be said that the American people failed to protect themselves! (Ditto for the people of Canada.)
While this is an interruption to your life, it’s a very good thing that you are doing! If you follow the steps, you are protecting yourself, your loved ones, people that you don’t know, and protecting the future of the country, helping to make the U.S. and Canada more resilient. You’re also helping to protect the economic and political stability of the world. You do a lot in 15 hours!
The more you learn how to protect and take care of yourself and others, the greater your self-esteem will be. Learning some key information and skills about survival and emergency self-care just makes you more independent and resilient.
Signs of commitment
Here are four signs of commitment: First, you’ve thought about the next few days and scheduled time this week to do this. (You may have to postpone some activities.) Second, you’ve accepted that you have to spend some money to protect yourself and loved ones. You’re accepting that this is just another form of insurance you need to get. You may even be willing to go into debt because this is urgent. (Those who really cannot afford this at all, will just do more advocacy and telling others. By telling people who care about you and who live nearby, you are increasing your safety net.) Third, you’re beginning to look forward to getting this project done! Because we say that everything can be done in roughly 15 hours, there’s an end in sight! Finally, as part of getting things done, you’re also eager to learn how to talk to others, so you can begin to inform loved ones without stressing them.
Diagnosing obstacles to commitment
We hope that you are energized and eager to take action! However, people frequently experience resistance and sometimes inertia. It’s important to diagnose the obstacle to being committed to swift action, if you have resistance. Here are some problems and solutions.
Do you resist taking action because it’s not all over the media? It may not seem a real threat because people aren’t focused on it. You need to review the Information Sources. This threat is like an aneurysm that shows no signs of being a problem until it bursts. Then it’s usually too late for an operation. You need to take action before it happens.
Are you already really busy with other things? You need to clear some of your schedule and make room for this. Tell people that “something semi-urgent has come up” and you need to reschedule. Consider taking a sick day at work or a personal day to jump-start your preparation and telling others.
Do you have strong emotions that are overwhelming you? You should review the Coping Emotionally page. You should also work on this problem one “bite” at a time. Break it down into steps. Pat yourself on the back each time you finish one of our steps, or each time you do a preparation action, or an action to inform others.
Do you not want to spend money on this? If you can’t afford the $300 per person now, buy what you can afford now. Protection isn’t all or nothing. It can be done in stages. Just commit to keep moving forward. Some insurance coverage is better than no insurance coverage.
Are you afraid to tell others, either because you will burden them or because you think they will reject your advice? Read our section on telling others, for tips on how to do this will a minimum of stress to you and them. Your responsibility is not to force them to do this; you just have an obligation to inform them, and give them support if they want it.
Do you doubt that this plan will work? First, it is working already. People are beginning to prepare, tell others and do advocacy. Second, it’s a matter of trusting that the incentives are there. People will insure themselves with preparation once they realize the threat is real. People will naturally want to protect their loved ones, by telling them. Advocacy will eventually work because we’re all in the same boat, and this is a top priority threat.
If you have other obstacles, not mentioned please let us know! We’re eager to help people remove all obstacles.
Now continue on to the next step, starting your preparation.