My Weaknesses List is a Heck of a Lot Longer Than My Strengths List! How About You?

My kids were finishing up their homeschooling lessons and one of them happened to be a final report on themselves. To be included in the report was a list of strengths and weaknesses.

My youngest was having a bit of trouble thinking up some ideas to include in the weaknesses report so I tried to help. Whereas he had several strengths listed he had only one weakness which got me to thinking: “Man I wish my list could look like that!”

Then I got to thinking what my list might actually look like (with regards to preparedness) and so, in no particular order, here goes nothing:

My Strengths

• Situational awareness – This was something I’ve developed over time but I wasn’t always so attentive. In fact, when I was a kid my parents used to joke that we could literally move the house and I wouldn’t notice for three days. 😉 These days I’m significantly more aware of my surroundings and what’s going on… perhaps that just comes with age.
• Strategic planning – I like to have plans, methods, lots of lists, and more. This includes bug out routes, disaster reaction plans, lists of equipment and supplies, and so on. It’s just the prudent thing to do.
• Homemade hygiene and cleaning supplies – I’ve gotten pretty good at making a variety of DIY hygiene supplies, including deodorant, toothpaste, salves, and more. The same can be said for DIY cleaning supplies, such as all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, floor cleaners, and plenty more. This stuff is actually super easy to make; you should try it some day if you don’t already.

My Weaknesses

• Cooking from scratch – Although we make some foods from scratch, such as bread, granola bars, and other snacks, there’s a whole ton of foods that we don’t. Sadly, we’re still quite dependent on store-bought foods for many things… too many to name. The good news is that we occasionally try to improve our health and, to us, that means eating healthier which also sometimes means making foods from scratch.
• Food preservation techniques – It’s no secret that I’m a fan of dehydrating, so much so that it’s by far my preferred method of food storage. And, while I have done some other techniques in the past, such as canning, I’m not very good at it whatsoever. The same can be said for other skills like preserving meats, pickling, and more.
• Fire starting in foul weather – Sure I can get a fire going when things are good, dry, and I’ve got the proper materials. Trying to get a fire going in bad weather is another concern altogether and one I would likely fail miserably at.
• Makeshifting from common materials – This is one of those character flaws I have. I’m not the kind of person that would put together Vaseline and cotton balls to makeshift a fire starter. I have to see it done first and then I’m good to go. That’s in large part why I’m always reading and watching what others do… eventually it sinks in.
• Gardening, foraging, hunting – I’m a hobby gardener at best. Heck, even that’s questionable. There’s no way I could expect to feed my family with my currently lacking skills. Foraging? Forget about it! I’d pick the wrong mushroom for sure. As for hunting, that’s just not something I ever got into as a youth and doubt I’ll ever learn.
• I don’t react well to stress – Yeah, I know this isn’t a good character trait for disaster preparedness but once I initially “calm down” I can deal with things. My wife, fortunately, is much more calm when it comes to the initial stress of emergencies.
• Emergency first aid skills – I keep telling myself I need to take some first aid courses beyond CPR. One of these days I’ll attend a course such as those provided by The Patriot Nurse and others to bolster such skills. Specifically, I’m thinking about skills like dealing with hemorrhagic bleeding, airway management, maybe suturing, and so on.
• Firearms, combat, etc – No doubt, I’ve got a lot to learn here. When it comes to combat, for instance, as I have never served in the military or law enforcement I never had an opportunity to experience these skills. In a SHTF scenario they could prove invaluable.
• Wilderness/bushcraft skills – I was never a Boy Scout and besides the occasional camping or hiking trip we don’t get out much. Personally, I don’t equate survival in suburbia with the wilderness but there are definitely plenty of skills that may prove useful in an emergency situation, including the aforementioned fire starting, foraging/hunting, and more.

Honestly, this is just a start. Had I really tried to think about my lacking skills I might start to cry. 🙁 The thing is that there are so many skills and things to know about preparedness that it can be truly overwhelming. About the best most of us can do is to first understand your flaws and second to diligently work towards fixing them. As for me, it’s going to take a long time, perhaps a lifetime to learn, but I’ll keep trying.

How about you?