Prepping

Prepping

It seems there are two types of people in this world. There are those who make a plan and then take the necessary steps to carry it out, and then there are those who simply go through life taking things as they come. I must admit that, for most of my life, I have been the latter. I have never been much of a planner, preferring to deal with situations as they arise. However, lately, I have begun to recognize the value of having a plan and, more importantly, preparing ahead of time so that the plan has a chance to work.

I am not here to judge anyone for how they choose to live their life. Everyone has their own way of doing things. Instead, I want to talk about something I believe all of us should consider: preparing for the unexpected.

In the trucking industry, preparation is part of doing business. We carry spare parts, keep tools on hand, and try to put money aside for slow seasons or unexpected downtime caused by mechanical problems or a lack of work. We understand that things don't always go according to plan. A little preparation can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major financial setback.

But what happens when something outside of our business keeps us from making a living? What if a natural disaster, severe weather, political unrest, or some other unexpected event disrupts our daily lives? What if we can't get to work, stores are closed, fuel becomes difficult to find, or basic supplies are suddenly unavailable?

Recent events around the world have made me think more seriously about these possibilities. Preparing doesn't mean living in fear or expecting the worst to happen. It means recognizing that circumstances can change quickly and taking reasonable steps to protect ourselves and our families.

Maybe it starts with keeping a little extra food and water on hand, maintaining an emergency fund, having necessary medications available, or making sure we have a way to communicate if normal services are disrupted. It could also mean having a backup plan for income or knowing where we would go if we had to leave our homes.

None of us knows what tomorrow will bring. We can't control every circumstance, but we can control how prepared we are to face them.

I've spent much of my life taking things as they come. I'm beginning to realize that there is nothing wrong with that approach, as long as we don't confuse living in the moment with failing to prepare for the future.

After all, having a plan doesn't mean we expect something to go wrong. It means we're giving ourselves a better chance of being okay if it does.

Here’s to millions of safe, profitable and PREPARED miles. 

Kelly Plumb