Security & Shelter: Lessons
- personal995
- May 9, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Index
Introduction
No one, knows everything. We all make mistakes. We are never correct the first time, every time. What was correct yesterday, can often be wrong tomorrow. Continual learning is the only way to progress.
STRATEGY OF ONE does not have all the answers, but it can help minimise missteps. These Lessons are actions, principles, rules of thumb, cautions and cognitive frameworks you can use to help avoid traps and build momentum through each stage of life.
Continually review and take what you need. Absorb the Lessons that align with your Goals, and make them a part of your internal 'operating system'.
Each Lesson has accompanying quotes from great minds that can help us symbolise and remember the Lesson. That way we can more easily draw it from our memory as required.
The portrait that partners each quote is aimed to make you feel accountable. The individual lived, experience and made the effort to share the quote you are benefitting from. Now you can honour them by living up to it in your life and work.
Process
Review these Lessons as and when it best serves you to do so:
Review with the aim of prevention in mind. To avoid having to learn it the hard way yourself.
Review if you are stuck on a specific phase or step.
Review if you are making repetitive errors.
Review if you need inspiration and motivation.
Review if you need to review or reconstruct your Models & Theories.
Review if you are looking for inspiration for Values or Goals.
Absorb and action the Lessons:
Document the next most important Lessons for you to learn in your Action Plan.
Write them in your journal, if you journal.
Screenshot them and save them on your phone or computer background.
But most importantly, put them into action.
Whatever the Lesson you discover that you need to learn, whether positive or negative, it doesn't really matter. Again, what matters is what you do next.
Continually learn, continually improve and move forward.
Lessons
1. Awareness is Key
Stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times. Recognize potential threats and risks, both in your immediate environment and in broader contexts, to proactively mitigate them.
"Stay alert, stay alive."
John Dean "Jeff" Cooper, United States Marine (1920 - 2006)
2. Education Empowers
Invest in education and training to develop essential skills and knowledge for personal security and emergency preparedness. Learn first aid, self-defense techniques, and crisis management strategies to enhance your ability to respond effectively in critical situations.
"The more you practice, the better you get, the more freedom you have to create."
Jocko Willink, US Navy SEAL (1971 -)
3. Communication is Crucial
Establish clear communication channels with family members, colleagues, and relevant authorities to facilitate coordination and support during emergencies. Regularly update emergency contact information and practice communication strategies to ensure readiness.
“If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack.”
Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874 - 1965)
4. Preparation Saves Lives
Prepare comprehensive emergency plans and supply kits for various scenarios, including natural disasters, medical emergencies, and personal safety threats. Regularly review and update these plans to reflect changing circumstances and maintain readiness.
"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."
Benjamin Franklin, American Polymath and Statesmen (1706 - 1790)
5. Adaptability is Key
Remain flexible and adaptable in response to evolving security threats and changing circumstances. Continuously assess and adjust your security measures and emergency plans to address emerging risks and vulnerabilities effectively.
"Efficiency remains important, but the ability to adapt to complexity and continual change has become an imperative."
Stanley A. McChrystal, United States Army General (1954)
6. Community Collaboration
Engage with your community and collaborate with neighbors, local authorities, and community organizations on security initiatives and emergency preparedness efforts. Foster a sense of collective responsibility for safety and well-being within your community.
"In union, there is strength."
Aesop, Ancient Greek Storyteller (620 - 564 BCE)
7. Technology as a Tool
Leverage technology to enhance personal security and communication capabilities. Explore the use of home security systems, personal safety apps, and digital communication tools to supplement traditional security measures and improve responsiveness.
"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting."
Sun Tzu, Chinese Military Strategist (544 - 496 BCE)
8. Mindfulness Matters
Practice mindfulness and situational awareness to remain attuned to potential threats and risks in your environment. Cultivate a mindset of preparedness and resilience to effectively navigate security challenges and emergencies.
“The first quality of the commander-in-chief is a cool head to receive a correct impression of things. He should not allow himself to be confused by either good or bad news.”
Napoleon Bonaparte, French Emperor & Military Commander (1769 - 1821)
9. Seeking Support
Don't hesitate to seek support and assistance from trusted sources when needed. Whether it's reaching out to family members, friends, or professional security services, know when and how to access help in times of need.
“The human being is born with an inclination towards virtue.”
Gaius Musonius Rufus, Roman Philosopher (25 - 95)
10. Empowerment Through Action
Take proactive steps to empower yourself and your family to prioritize personal security and well-being. By embracing a proactive mindset and adopting practical security measures, you can create a safer and more fulfilling environment for yourself and your loved ones.
"Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking and go in.”
Napoleon Bonaparte, French Emperor & Military Commander (1769 - 1821)
11. Inconspicuousness is an Advantage
Avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself and your belongings in public spaces. Opt for discreet packaging when carrying valuable items, and minimize conspicuous displays of wealth or affluence.
"Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate."
Sun Tzu, Chinese Military Strategist (544 - 496 BCE)
12. Vary Your Routine
Avoid predictable patterns in your daily activities, such as regular routes, schedules, or habits. Varying your routines makes it harder for potential threats to predict your movements and reduces the likelihood of targeted attacks.
"Everything which the enemy least expects will succeed the best."
Frederick The Great, King of Prussia (1712 - 1786)
13. Practice Situational Awareness
Cultivate keen observation skills and situational awareness in your daily life. Pay attention to your surroundings, identify potential threats or suspicious behavior, and trust your instincts to guide your actions.
“All things can be deadly to us, even the things made to serve us; as in nature walls can kill us, and stairs can kill us, if we do not walk circumspectly.”
Blaise Pascal, French Mathematician and Physicist (1623 - 1662)
14. Use Deception Strategically
Employ strategic deception tactics to mislead potential threats and deter criminal activity. For example, use decoy valuables or diversionary tactics to create opportunities for escape in dangerous situations.
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”
Sun Tzu, Chinese Military Strategist (544 - 496 BCE)
15. Maintain a Low Profile
Exercise caution when sharing personal information or location details in person, on social media or other online platforms. Limit your digital footprint to minimize the risk of targeted attacks or cyber threats.
"Oysters open completely when the moon is full, and when the crab sees one it throws a piece of stone or seaweed into it and the oyster cannot close again so that it serves the crab for meat. Such is the fate of him who opens his mouth too much and thereby puts himself at the mercy of the listener."
Leonardo da Vinci, Italian Polymath (1452 - 1519)
16. Secure Your Home
Implement layered security measures to protect your home from intruders. Install robust locks, motion-sensor lights, and security cameras to deter potential burglars and enhance overall security.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
Benjamin Franklin, American Polymath and Statesmen (1706 - 1790)
17. Practice Verbal De-Escalation
Develop effective communication skills to de-escalate tense situations and diffuse potential conflicts. Use calm and assertive language to assert boundaries and avoid confrontation whenever possible.
"Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate."
John F. Kennedy, American President (1917 - 1963)
18. Maintain Emergency Supplies
Stockpile essential emergency supplies, including food, water, medication, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, and blankets. Regularly check and replenish your emergency kit to ensure it remains fully stocked and up-to-date.
"Dig your well before you're thirsty."
Chinese Proverb
By reviewing these lessons above you can gain inspiration, seek clarity, deepen your awareness of where you can improve and compound your results moving forward.
Cautionary Lessons
1. Complacency Breeds Vulnerability
Falling into a state of complacency and assuming that security threats won't affect you can leave you unprepared and vulnerable to potential dangers.
"Experience shows that, if one foresees from far away the designs to be undertaken, one can act with speed when the moment comes to execute them"
Cardinal Richelieu, French Statesman (1585 - 1642)
2. Overreliance on Technology
Relying too heavily on technology for personal security without considering its limitations or potential vulnerabilities can create false assurances and leave you exposed to cyber threats or technological failures.
"The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do."
B.F. Skinner, American Psychologist (1904 - 1990)
3. Ignoring Warning Signs
Dismissing or ignoring warning signs of potential security threats, whether physical, verbal, or digital, can prevent you from taking timely and appropriate action to protect yourself and your loved ones.
"Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory."
Miguel de Cervantes, Spanish Writer (1547 - 1616)
4. Failure to Adapt
Failing to adapt and adjust your security measures in response to changing circumstances or emerging threats can leave you ill-prepared to address new challenges and vulnerabilities.
“If he relies for security on a chain of mountains that he believes impracticable, and you pass these mountains by roads unknown to him, he is confused to start with, and if you press him he will not have time to recover from his consternation.”
Frederick The Great, King of Prussia (1712 - 1786)
5. Neglecting Community Engagement
Neglecting to engage with your community or build relationships with neighbors and local authorities can limit your access to support networks and valuable resources during emergencies or security incidents.
“That which isn't good for the hive, isn't good for the bee."
Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor (121 - 180)
6. Underestimating Human Factors
Underestimating the role of human factors, such as psychology (including dark psychology), behavior, and social dynamics, in personal security can lead to misjudgments and inadequate responses to potential threats.
"While one is on the lookout for hidden dangers, one is too often unaware of what lies behind the obvious ones."
Niccolò Machiavelli, Italian Philosopher (1469 - 1527)
7. Lack of Preparation
Failing to prepare adequately for emergencies, including natural disasters, medical emergencies, and security incidents, can result in chaos, panic, and increased risk to yourself and your family.
“No one is so brave that he is not disturbed by something unexpected”
Julius Caesar, Roman General & Statesmen (100 - 44BCE)
8. Ignoring Environmental Factors
Ignoring environmental factors such as weather conditions, geographic location, or infrastructure vulnerabilities can leave you unprepared for potential disasters or emergencies that may arise.
"Study the past if you would define the future."
Confucius, Chinese philosopher (551 - 479 BCE)
9. Reckless Risk-Taking
Engaging in risky or reckless behavior, such as confronting potential threats without proper training or preparation, can escalate dangerous situations and increase the likelihood of harm to yourself and others.
“To remain disciplined and calm while waiting for disorder to appear amongst the enemy is the art of self-possession.”
Sun Tzu, Chinese Military Strategist (544 - 496 BCE)
10. Neglecting Legal Implications
Failing to consider the legal implications of certain tactical maneuvers or security measures can result in legal consequences, lawsuits, or criminal charges that undermine your security and well-being.
“The most ordinary cause of people’s mistakes is their being too much frightened at the present danger, and not enough so at that which is remote.”
Cardinal De Retz, French Writer (1613 - 1679)
11. Misuse of Force
Misusing physical force or weapons in self-defense situations without proper training or justification can escalate violence, endanger lives, and result in legal or ethical repercussions.
"Force is all-conquering, but its victories are short-lived."
Abraham Lincoln, American Statesman (1809 - 1865)
12. Misinformation and Panic
Spreading or succumbing to misinformation during emergencies can fuel panic, confusion, and chaos, hindering response efforts and putting lives at risk.
"Falsehood flies, and the truth comes limping after it."
Jonathan Swift, Irish Writer (1667 - 1745)
13. Underestimating Secondary Hazards
Underestimating the potential secondary hazards of emergencies, such as aftershocks, chemical spills, or power outages, can lead to additional injuries, property damage, or environmental contamination.
"In foresight, look not only at the immediate, but also at what may follow."
Aesop, Ancient Greek Storyteller (620 - 564 BCE)
By reviewing these cautionary lessons above you can heed their warning adjust to suit, deepen your awareness of where you can improve and compound your results moving forward.
< Security & Safety: Self Review - Previous
Next - Security & Safety: Case Studies >
