Most catastrophes are preventable and
most tragedies don't come as a surprise. On many occasions, a few
minutes of reflection at the right time and a little more opposition
when it was uncomfortable to speak up could have saved the day.
Nobody is obliged to be a hero, but taking measures to protect
ourselves is a primary moral obligation that we should never fail to
implement. Here are some ideas.
1. Keep an eye on the job market
1. Keep an eye on the job market
Even if you feel absolutely safe in your present occupation, it
pays to know what is going on in the employment market, if only to
make sure that you are not being underpaid. What kind of benefits are
other companies offering to people with your skills and level of
experience? In which area of the country are open vacancies at this
time?
2. Increase your knowledge and skills
2. Increase your knowledge and skills
The simple habit
of downloading podcasts in your field of experience and listening to
them in the car may already put you ahead of many. Read weekly a few
blogs and digital newsletters in your field. If you live in a major
urban area, advanced training courses are available in the evening
and weekends. Take a look and see if any of them fits your interests
and career objectives.
3. Avoid deranged individuals like the pest
3. Avoid deranged individuals like the pest
In any
random concentration of people, you will find a few who are deranged
and dangerous. In case that you must deal with any of those in your
working environment, try to avoid them like the pest. In most cases,
there is nothing that you can do to help them. Do not fall into the
trap of assuming that everybody is balanced and well-meaning. Once
you identify the risk, act accordingly.
4. Eat sensibly
4. Eat sensibly
You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a good
nutrition. Fast food is cheap and tasty, but you might pay an
enormous price later in life. Learn to cook and choose healthy food.
Purchase a scale for your bathroom and check your weight regularly.
If you are too heavy, take appropriate action, such as making better
nutrition choices and walking more often.
5. Save money every month
5. Save money every month
A few decades ago, when many people didn't have insurance,
putting cash aside for a rainy day was considered essential.
Sickness, the loss of a job, or a damaged car might place a heavy
strain on your finances. Nobody is immune from bad luck or a downturn
in the economy. Prudence today might help you overcome a major crisis
down the line.
Protecting your life and possessions is crucial to maintain your well-being. Trust only those who have proven to be worthy of your confidence. Never accept offers that look to good to be true. By paying attention to details and acting with common sense, you can enhance your happiness and, to a good extent, protect your success from misfortune.
Protecting your life and possessions is crucial to maintain your well-being. Trust only those who have proven to be worthy of your confidence. Never accept offers that look to good to be true. By paying attention to details and acting with common sense, you can enhance your happiness and, to a good extent, protect your success from misfortune.
For more information about rational living and personal development, I refer you to my book The 10 Principles of Rational Living
[Text: http://johnvespasian.blogspot.com]
[Image by Simon Doggett under Creative Commons Attribution License. See the license terms under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us]
