Hurricane Helene and Milton Were Devastating
“The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital.”
Much has been written about the importance of preparing yourself to win. The above quote from Joe Paterno is just one of many that emphasize the value of good planning and preparation.
A great deal of living your best life has to do with envisioning your future, and also planning how to create it. Preparation is key to success. But what’s often overlooked is the importance of protecting what we’ve already built.
The Devastation of Recent Hurricanes
In the last two weeks, the southeastern United States, including Florida where we live, faced two monster hurricanes—Helene and Milton. They wreaked havoc on millions of people, destroying billions in property. As I write this, over a million people are still without power, and hundreds have tragically lost their lives.
Dawn and I were very fortunate—we suffered no serious damage. Living in Florida for 15 years has taught us a lot about preparation. We’ve weathered many named storms, but Milton, in particular, had us concerned. Fortunately, it struck south of us, sparing us from a direct hit. Even so, it was troubling.
We were prepared with plenty of food, water, and backup contingency plans. Here’s a key takeaway: you can shelter from the wind, but you must run from the water. Flooding is responsible for most of the damage and loss of life in hurricanes.
The Importance of Location-Based Planning
We’re lucky to live at a good elevation—93 feet above sea level. There’s no danger of flooding because all water flows away from us. This wasn’t by accident; we chose to live on a hill, out of a flood plain.
“You can never protect yourself 100%. What you do is protect yourself as much as possible and mitigate risk to an acceptable degree. You can never remove all risk.”
—Kevin Mitnick
The above quote underscores the importance of protection. Depending on where you live, your protection plans will differ. But no matter where you are, it’s critical that you have a comprehensive protection plan for you and your family.
Why Protection is Just as Important as Preparation
It’s not enough to prepare for the future; we must also protect what we’ve already achieved. Disasters, whether natural or man-made, can set us back years if we don’t have the right protection in place. This applies not just to hurricanes, but to any threat—be it financial setbacks, health emergencies, or even cyber-attacks.
How to Create a Solid Protection Plan
So, how do you get started? I recommend conducting a threat analysis as part of your annual planning. This is a simple, yet effective, way to assess where you and your assets might be vulnerable.
Here’s a basic framework for creating a protection plan:
1. Identify Potential Threats:
• Based on your location, what are the risks you face? If you live in a hurricane-prone area, flooding and wind damage may be your primary concerns. If you’re in an earthquake zone, structural safety will take precedence.
• Think beyond natural disasters. Consider financial risks, health risks, and cyber threats as well.
2. Assess Vulnerabilities:
• What assets are you most at risk of losing? Is it your home, your business, or your health?
• Are you adequately insured? Do you have a backup plan for critical assets, like savings, medical needs, or important business data?
3. Develop Mitigation Strategies:
• Make sure you have the right insurance coverage in place. If you haven’t reviewed your policies recently, now is the time to ensure they align with your current needs.
• Prepare emergency kits and evacuation plans. Stock up on essential supplies, and have a communication plan in place for your family in case of separation.
4. Regularly Review and Update Your Plan:
• Threats evolve, and so should your protection plan. Make it a part of your routine to review your protection strategy every year. As circumstances change—whether it’s a new home, a change in health, or the growth of your business—so, too, should your plan.
A Balanced Approach to Risk
We all want to stay positive, but it’s wise—not pessimistic—to look at what could set us back or stop us in our tracks. It’s about being proactive, not reactive. A solid protection plan lets you focus on your goals without fear of losing everything you’ve worked for.
Real-World Example: The Importance of Preparedness
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, studies found that families who had adequate evacuation plans and insurance fared much better in recovery. In contrast, those without preparation or protection struggled for years to rebuild. Being proactive saved lives and livelihoods.
Similarly, cyber-attacks are on the rise. Companies with strong data protection protocols recover more quickly and at lower costs than those without them. This highlights the value of thinking ahead and investing in proper protection.
Tools to Help You Prepare
There are numerous resources available to help you develop your protection plan:
• FEMA’s Ready.gov offers excellent guides on how to prepare for natural disasters.
• The Red Cross provides preparedness apps and checklists for emergencies.
• Insurance Assessment Tools are available online to help you evaluate whether you’re sufficiently covered.
Conclusion
You’re not able to eliminate all risks, but part of living your best life is making sure you protect what you’ve built. Make it part of your yearly routine to conduct a threat analysis and develop a protection plan for your family, your business, and yourself.
By doing so, you can move forward confidently—knowing you’ve prepared not just to achieve, but to protect what matters most.
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