[This is the first in a planned series of blog posts. The intent is to highlight skills that everyone truly needs in order to be successful. These are strengths and abilities that should be practiced and honed regularly. The true survivalist knows that real preparedness includes day-to-day living just as much as it does planning for events that may never happen. The skills discussed in this series are those that are great to have even if disaster never strikes.]

I can’t!

How many times have you said that, either out loud or inside your head? When confronted with something we know we should do, something that would be beneficial to us and our families, we often find reasons not to do it. And that’s the problem right there.

We look for reasons not to do it.

Whether we’re talking about saving money, losing weight, finding a new/better job, or taking a class, if it will potentially take us out of our comfort zone or cause inconvenience, we will search far and wide for excuses not to do it.

I can’t save money because my job doesn’t pay me enough.

I can’t lose weight because convenience foods are cheaper.

I can’t find a new job because all the job ads specify levels of training and education I don’t have and I can’t afford to go back to school right now.

Round and round and round it goes, right? A seemingly never-ending cycle. It is so easy to just give up and give in to I can’t. We all do it. And, simply put, it needs to stop. There are always options to explore. They aren’t always easy, they aren’t always fun, but worthwhile endeavors are rarely simple.

Many secondary schools offer classes online and there are tons of free ones out there, such as through Coursera and edX. While some courses might not provide actual college credit, they are still perfectly acceptable on a resume and they might give you a leg up on the competition. If nothing else, the skills and knowledge you learn may benefit you in your current job, allowing for a raise or promotion.

Eating properly is a very important part of any weight loss plan. And unfortunately many of the healthier food options are more expensive than the boxed or microwaveable foods. All is not lost, though. Perhaps you can grow some of your own veggies and fruit this spring and summer. If you don’t have the yard space, look into area community gardens. Or maybe you could barter with neighbors who garden and create a win/win, such as your teenager cleans their gutters once a week and they provide you with some fresh garden produce as it is harvested.

Learn how to cook from scratch, too. This is something you can do for free using online resources like YouTube. Scratch cooking is usually far healthier than buying convenience foods. You can control the amount of sodium and what not, too. Buying ingredients is often cheaper than buying the finished product. Plus, y’know, the whole self-reliance aspect of cooking for yourself and your family.

Sometimes, it is as simple as asking your boss, “Hey, what would it take for me to get a raise?” Perhaps there’s a higher-paying position opening up and you’d be a great fit. Or maybe they will pay for you to go back to school part-time for coursework that’s related to your job. It rarely ever hurts to ask the question and you just might be surprised.

All of these are merely examples. I’m quite certain there’s someone out there who will read all of that and say, “Well, none of that applies to me.” There is no one size fits all solution to all of the possible problems any person can face. The idea here is to change the thought process. Instead of looking for reasons you can’t do something, look for ways you can do it.

This applies across the board, to all areas of your life.

If you aren’t physically capable of doing something, perhaps there is a tool or gadget that can provide assistance.

If you don’t have the funds to accomplish a goal, perhaps you could find a part-time job that provide the money. In my area, there are always ads looking for newspaper delivery people. The pay isn’t stupendous but the work is in the early morning hours which can be ideal for some people.

I’m not saying every single situation has a workable solution. I’m a realist and know that sometimes you are just well and truly screwed. But, before you throw in the towel, be darn sure you’ve explored every possible option and solution. Think outside the box and get creative.

Avoid using the I Can’t crutch.