How To Become Independent: Expand Your Resources

Goal

In this six-part series, I want to offer practical, actionable advice on how to earn and gain your independence.

Today, in part four, I discuss how to expand your resources, prepare for disaster, and create an abundance that will make you more independent.

Table of Contents

• You Need Resources To Survive and Thrive
  • Society Hates You Being Prepared
• How To Expand Your Resources
  • 1) Focus on improving your job
    • Some of the benefits of improving at your job
    • And here is some practical advice on how to thrive at your job
    • How to excel at a dead-end or toxic job
  • 2) Look at your needs and find ways to provide for yourself
  • 3) Always have a backup
  • 4) Reduce your consumerism
• Individualism and Independence: Expand Your Resources

You Need Resources To Survive and Thrive

Your competence does not benefit evil people.

Resources encompass everything individuals require to meet their basic needs, pursue their goals, and lead fulfilling lives. These resources can be categorized into various dimensions, such as:

1. Financial Resources: Money and assets necessary for securing shelter, food, clothing, education, healthcare, and more.
2. Human Resources: Skills, knowledge, and abilities that individuals possess that enable them to earn a livelihood, contribute to society, and adapt to various situations.
3. Social Resources: Support networks, relationships, and communities that provide emotional and practical assistance, advice, and connections.
4. Physical Resources: Access to essential infrastructure, transportation, technology, and facilities that facilitate daily life and productivity.
5. Time Resources: Time allocation for various activities, including work, leisure, and personal development.

You can reduce dependence on external factors by strategically expanding your resources. We know the world is terrible. Having more money will minimize your fears of inflation. Having a solid community will reduce your dependence on government handouts.

Society Hates You Being Prepared

As always, the ruling classes, mobs, and elites do not want you free. They hate your greatness and ability to achieve it. They need you enslaved and desperate.

We can prove their hatred by looking at life. For example, did you learn any practical skills in school? Or were you taught meaningless factoids that never enhanced your independence? None of us were taught how to pay taxes, cook, manage time, grow food, or be good members of our communities. We were taught the virtues of the state.

And as we age, we see the government’s hostility towards self-reliance. The USDA has systematically killed independent farms for generations. In many states, collecting your water or owning farm animals is illegal. There are limitations on actions that make us independent. But there are no limitations on crappy food, alcohol, casual sex, pornography, and other vices that make us depressed, lonely, and desperate for external rule.

Virtue and abundance lead to independence, which threatens those seeking control. Governments, mobs, and elites have historically hated a capable individual.

How To Expand Your Resources

Remember, independence is rooted in self-reliance and productivity. To avoid being a victim of others, you should have resources and the ability to garner more.

We will cover expanding your resources, increasing your opportunities, and reducing your consumption.

1) Focus on improving your job

Improving your job and striving for excellence in your work profoundly impact your personal and professional development. Even if you work as a retail employee, you need to do a good job. Excelling where you work helps you develop discipline and make more money.

Some of the benefits of improving at your job:

1. Skill Development: Every job offers opportunities to acquire and refine valuable skills. You can enhance your skill set by excelling in your current role, making you more marketable and versatile in the job market. However, remember to develop your talents in skills that can be transferred to another work environment. For example, mastering the in-house coding platform won’t easily translate to a business using a different system.
2. Discipline and Work Ethic: Consistently giving your best effort at work fosters discipline and a strong work ethic. These traits are transferable to any job or endeavor and can significantly contribute to your success and independence.
3. Career Advancement: Excelling in your current role often leads to career advancement opportunities. Employers are likelier to promote and reward employees who consistently deliver high-quality work. I urge you not to be jaded like other people. You can still climb the work ladder when you put in the work.
4. Increased Earnings: By demonstrating your dedication and commitment to your job, you may be better positioned to negotiate for higher pay or bonuses. Over time, this can significantly increase your income and financial independence. Your job is where the money will come from, and you spend much time there anyway. You might as well get paid well for your trouble.
5. Professional Reputation: Building a reputation for excellence in your field can open doors to new opportunities, whether that’s within your current organization or elsewhere. A solid professional reputation can lead to job offers and collaborations. I’ve burned bridges in my youth, but I’ve done a better job creating long-lasting relationships that have helped me. Working hard and well grants you more flexibility, as more people will want to work with you.

And here is some practical advice on how to thrive at your job

1. Strive for Excellence: Approach your work with the mindset of delivering the best possible results. Pay attention to detail, take the initiative, and constantly seek ways to improve processes or outcomes.
2. Continuous Learning: Invest in your learning and development. Take advantage of training opportunities, attend workshops, and stay updated on industry trends to enhance your knowledge and skills.
3. Set Personal Goals: Establish personal goals related to your job performance. These goals can motivate you to excel and provide a clear direction for your career growth.
4. Seek Feedback: Actively seek feedback from supervisors and colleagues. Constructive feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments.
5. Network: Build relationships with colleagues, superiors, and industry peers. Networking can expose you to new opportunities and insights contributing to your professional growth. And networking is not limited to attending events. You can network by talking to people you work with, members of your community, and even strangers on the bus.
6. Initiative: Take the initiative to go above and beyond your job description. Offer assistance to coworkers, propose solutions to problems, and volunteer for challenging assignments.

How to excel at a dead-end or toxic job

Lastly, if you are at a job you don’t like, you should still focus on improving your attitude and well-being for your future success.

1. Stay Professional: Maintain a professional demeanor and work ethic regardless of the circumstances to demonstrate your reliability and integrity.
2. Focus on Transferable Skills: Identify and develop transferable skills for future roles or industries. Consider how your current job can be a stepping stone to your long-term career goals.
3. Learn and Adapt: Even in challenging situations, look for opportunities to learn and grow. Adapting to adversity can build resilience and problem-solving skills. Keep a positive mindset: every terrible customer is teaching you patience; every bad manager shows you what kind of manager you don’t want to be, and so on.

2) Look at your needs and find ways to provide for yourself

“Armaments, universal debt, and planned obsolescence—those are the three pillars of Western prosperity. If war, waste, and moneylenders were abolished, you’d collapse. And while you people are overconsuming the rest of the world sinks more and more deeply into chronic disaster.” – Aldous Huxley

Resources include what you eat, wear, and drink. You need to meet the basics if you wish to succeed at independence.

The supply chain issues that started in 2020 showed me that my society has no long-term plans. We are foolish enough to destroy our economy for anything the elites and ruling classes tell us is worth it.

So, you have to be prepared. Here are a few things to consider and work on when you look to expand your resources:

• Food Production: Grow your fruits, vegetables, herbs, and even small-scale crops if space allows. Hydroponic units allow you space to grow needed food in small spaces and are an excellent introduction to the practice. There are so many great books that cover the art of growing food.
• Preservation: Learn food preservation techniques like canning, freezing, and drying to extend the shelf life of your homegrown produce. Preservation is the intelligent way of holding on to what you have.
• Energy Generation: Admittedly, this one is more complex. However, installing solar panels can help you become less dependent on the grid if you have the money and space. On the other hand, you can reduce your energy consumption and improve your home’s energy efficiency through insulation, LED lighting, and energy-efficient appliances.
• Clothing and Repair: Being able to reuse your old items is a good habit to help expand your resources. If you consume less, you have more, and we can start with mending and sewing clothes. You can also upcycling, which involves repurposing old clothing items or materials for new purposes.
• Rainwater Harvesting: Collect rainwater for gardening and non-potable uses. You may also want to fix leaks and use low-flow fixtures to reduce water consumption. Water is precious, and our ruling classes do not respect it.
• DIY Home Improvement: Learn how to perform basic home repairs, such as plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry. However, if you’re like me and don’t like doing home repairs, I would suggest finding local businesses with high ratings. These busineses will usually provide good service at a reasonable price. I avoid the big box businesses with multiple ads and commercials.

3) Always have a backup

2020 showed how easily the supply chain can be undermined.

A backup plan, often called “prepping,” is an essential aspect of personal preparedness and security. It involves taking proactive steps to ensure you and your loved ones can care for yourselves in various situations, especially during emergencies or disasters.

Prepping gets a negative wrap in a society of fiat currency and a high divorce rate. No one wants to think beyond today or the latest comfort. We’re short-term people, and prepping is a long-term ideal.

Here are some principles for prepping:

1. Assess Your Needs: Start by evaluating your specific needs and vulnerabilities. Consider factors like location, climate, and the unique needs of your family members, including children, the elderly, or individuals with special medical requirements.
2. Stockpile Essential Supplies:
   • Food and Water: Accumulate a supply of non-perishable food items, clean water, and water purification methods.
   • Medical Supplies: Gather essential medications, first-aid supplies, and medical equipment.
   • Shelter and Warmth: Ensure you have adequate shelter, clothing, and blankets to stay warm in various conditions.
   • Communication: Include tools such as a battery-operated radio and a means to charge or power your devices.
   • Hygiene and Sanitation: Stock toiletries, hygiene items, and sanitation supplies.
   • Safety and Security: Consider tools and supplies for personal safety and security, such as flashlights, batteries, and basic self-defense items.
3. Develop Emergency Plans:
   • Family Emergency Plan: Create a family emergency plan that includes communication protocols, evacuation routes, and meeting points.
   • Evacuation Plans: Plan for potential evacuations, including transportation and destinations.
4. Rotate and Maintain Supplies: Regularly check and rotate your stockpiled supplies to ensure they remain fresh and functional. Pay attention to expiration dates and replace items as needed.
5. Stay Informed: Keep up to date about emerging threats and developments that may affect your preparedness plans. Be adaptable and update your plans accordingly.

4) Reduce your consumerism

Politicians have no interest in supporting your personal freedoms.

Consumerism, often characterized by excessive and mindless consumption, can have far-reaching consequences on individuals and society. Reducing consumerism helps expand your resources because you’re not wasting as much. If you reduce the amount of money you spend on knick-knacks, for example, you expand how much money you have to do other things.

The best ways to reduce consumerism are as follows:

1. Mindful Consumption:
   • Practice Mindfulness: Be aware of your consumption habits and their impact on your life. Reflect constantly on whether what you’re buying is serving your virtuous ends. Additionally, before buying, ask yourself if the item is essential and if it will bring long-term value or joy.
   • Buy Ethically: Support companies that prioritize ethical and sustainable production practices.
   • Secondhand Shopping: Consider buying secondhand or vintage items, which reduces demand for new production and minimizes waste.
2. Declutter and Simplify:
   • Minimalism: Embrace minimalism by decluttering your living space and possessions. Keep only what adds value or brings joy to your life. Focus on keeping objects you use frequently. Lastly, always choose quality items built to last over disposable or low-quality alternatives.
3. Delayed Gratification:
   • Practice Delayed Gratification: When you feel the urge to make an impulsive purchase, wait for a designated period (e.g., 24 hours or a week) to reconsider. Stopping yourself from making knee-jerk purchases will reduce your consumption habits considerably.
4. Community Engagement:
   • Community Activities: Engage in community events, hobbies, and activities not centered around consumerism. Not only will you engage with your community, but you will also find unique ways to entertain yourself that don’t require frequent consumption.
5. Practice Gratitude: Cultivate a sense of gratitude for what you have, which can reduce the desire for constant acquisition. Being grateful for what you do have will allow you to see what’s in your life. We suffer terribly when we focus too much on what we don’t have. Instead of appreciating what we have now, we become envious, giving the items we possess less longevity.

Overall, you don’t want to consume as much as you currently do. Consumption can become an addiction that will rob you of time, energy, and money. The less you mindlessly consume what is around you, the better off you will be.

Individualism and Independence: Expand Your Resources

“Are these things really better than the things I already have? Or am I just trained to be dissatisfied with what I have now?” – Chuck Palahniuk

We’re at part four. We started by defining your goals, legacy, and values. We moved on to vices. Then, we settled on self-improvement.

At this junction, we are looking at resource expansion. We all need material goods. We obviously need food, water, and shelter to survive, but we also need comfort, a roomy home, a loving marriage, and so forth.

Pursuing independence through resource expansion and self-reliance is vital in today’s world. We face the challenge of navigating an evil, broken environment that desperately wants us to depend on external systems and resources. However, by building our resources, we can work towards securing our independence.

Actionables

1. Of the list above, where do you feel that you are lacking? Look up resources that can help you plan how to fill in the gaps of your resource expansion.
2. What is one thing you need more of? Do you need more time? More energy? Or money? What can you do to expand your resources?Think about what you can do within a month to expand what you have.
3. Do you struggle with consumerism? What is something you buy too much of? What can you do to reduce your consumption?

Please remember it’s important to do the actionables. You’re not on this earth to simply read but to do. To become an individual, you must act more than you consume.

*Image credit to Unsplash