a-well-rounded-prepper

Become A More Well Rounded Prepper With A Practical Skill Set

Most everyone is good at ‘something’. Most have ‘a job’ or a career which is likely complementary with a skill or skill set. Something that you’re good at. Or a specific skill that you have learned along the way. Even if retired, the road that led there surely involved one or more definitive skill sets.

Many have have their own specialty skills and areas of so called ‘expertise’. While some, many, or most of these areas of expertise may be specific and valuable within the framework of today’s modern world, those same skill sets may not necessarily be practical or beneficial in a post-collapse (or semi-collapsed) world.

Instead, or in addition to, it may be of some value to become more ‘well rounded’. I mean expanding one’s skill sets in a practical way to improve self-reliance and self-worth. Complimentary to a more self-reliant lifestyle. And/or for a (potentially future) world that may not be so ‘modern’ anymore. (Some indicators point towards that uncertain future)

Today’s modern world. Narrowly focused, specialized careers. Evem today’s broader skill sets are intertwined with high technology, and focused-specialized modern methodologies. There’s nothing wrong with that of course. We are fortunate to be living in a modern world of conveniences and technologies. However if you place yourself in a hypothetical world which has collapsed to some extent, how many of those skills and abilities will be of practical importance or value?

When you get down to the basics (for example, the things that our ancestors were particularly good at), how many posses any of those skills and abilities? How many have a well rounded skill set such as that?

What will be important during a time of post-modern world? A broad set of ‘practical’ and ‘hands-on’ skills that compliment the basics of survival and self-reliance.

Additionally, the more practical skills that are possessed, the easier it is at adapting to a variety of situations and challenges. The more well-rounded your skill sets, the easier it is to adapt.

So, what practical skills might help shape a person into a more well rounded prepper? As I’m sure you can imagine, there are quite a lot of them to consider. We’ve listed many here on the blog in previous posts. However a few thoughts include the following:

  • Homesteading, Farming
  • Mechanic / Mechanical
  • Carpentry, Construction
  • Home Cooking / Home Canning
  • ‘The Trades’ e.g. electrical, plumbing, etc.
  • First Aid, Medical
  • Alternative Energy
  • Communications, Ham Radio
  • Bushcraft

I believe that you’re getting the idea… (article linked below)

Because we live in a modern world where we can buy pretty much anything or any service, this same modern world has essentially eliminated the need to know basic practical skills of yesteryear. In order to become a more well rounded prepper one should expand their practical skill sets.

Tip: One person cannot be totally proficient in all skills. However it is possible to achieve the title of “jack of all trades”.

Example: Given my years of experience, I’ve brought that title upon myself. I’ve forced myself to self-learn quite a few things (skills) over the years. I’m a do-it-yourself kinda guy (to the extent that I can). From early years as a youngster working in a hardware store, to being influenced by my dad’s career in an industry requiring electro-mechanical skills, to purchasing my first (and next) home as a ‘fix-er-upper’ (in an effort to afford/save-money), I invested in myself to learn how to do many things, rather than hiring it all out. Though all of my projects over the years have cost me time, it has saved me tons of $$ – and has provided a broad skill set which dovetails nicely into my present lifestyle of semi-homesteading, and an extent of practical prepping & preparedness.

[ Read: Practical Skills That People Once Knew ]