Can You Achieve 100% Readiness?

There is no such thing as 100% readiness. There are many circumstances and a multitude of variables that contribute to one’s state of readiness. With time and money, they could all be addressed—except that the variables keep changing and readiness has to keep adapting. It becomes a constant “catch-up” scenario where catching up is never quite possible.

Additionally, as one’s readiness moves closer to 100%, the blockers of total readiness increase exponentially. Think of readiness as the hockey stick curve often graphed in business. The x axis represents the state of readiness and the y axis represents challenges to total readiness. Initially the curve is gradual where increasing readiness is easy because the challenges are subtle and increase slowly. As more blockers come to the fore, more readiness effort is required. Keeping pace is doable but increasingly more difficult, requiring more expenditure of effort and money. When total readiness is in sight, say from 80% readiness onwards, the curve accelerates upwards on the y axis, turning nearly vertical and forward movement on the x axis (state of readiness) advances very little.

In real-world terms, the problem is defining what constitutes total readiness. Total readiness against particular threats is possible. Total readiness against all threats is not.

For example, total readiness against rogue gangs threatening/attacking your family is achievable. A well designed and prepared Refuge Room can provide 100% readiness against rogue gangs. If the scenario is a little different, total protection begins to slip away. Consider the same scenario, but the “gang” is well organized such as some type of terrorist organization. They would have more means to breach your defenses making complete readiness much more difficult, if at all possible.

So the real consideration is whether aiming for 100% readiness is a goal to consider. No, for the reasons outlined above, it is not. The proper approach is to accept that total readiness is an unrealistic theory and that some lesser amount of readiness is realistic, achievable, and may be all that you need. In other words, always aim for your highest state of readiness for each scenario and don’t think of quantifying it.

Accept that, for different readiness threats, the amount of readiness will vary. For example: providing and maintaining a potable water supply for your family can be accomplished when the threat is storm contamination to the municipal water supply, or there’s no electricity for it to be pumped for a few weeks. When the issue is a severe year-long drought, the hockey stick scenario works against your best efforts and is a major readiness test.

Think in terms of what is reasonably achievable and maintainable without taking an absolutist approach. Evaluate your family’s life situation and tackle readiness issues for relevant, realistic scenarios. Prioritize by most impending threat, simplicity of the solution, budget, or other criteria. Be actionable and count your successes as you achieve your goals for each type of readiness event.

If you need help, our Initial Readiness Consultation Package can be your best launching pad to your highest state of readiness.