The clear logic of this progression provides a compelling reason for hope. If the path of our destiny is set in motion by the narrative we hold, then if we change the narrative, we can change our destiny.
Let’s look at some of the main narratives our society holds right now:
• 3%+ GDP growth will rescue our economy. All efforts to make that happen are necessary, even if they punish the prudent.
• American energy independence is just around the corner.
• Our banks are too-big-to-fail (or jail) and therefore need to be supported at taxpayer cost.
• Enhancing national security requires sacrificing more of our civil liberties.
• Gold is not money.
• We’re all better off if the stock market is higher.
• Most of our social problems (schools, jobs, global competitiveness, etc.) will be solved with more taxes and more regulation.
• Housing and education loans are “good debt.”
• We live in a completely free and fair society.
• The Fed knows what it is doing.
Nearly all of these is either arbitrary, favoring of certain groups over others, self-destructive, or straight-up delusional.
What if we replaced them with the following ones instead?
• To leave a sustainable future for our progeny, nations must learn to live within their economic, energetic and ecological budgets.
• Humans can be incredible forces of regeneration, creating abundance wherever and whenever they wish.
• No one is above the rule of law. All laws should be applied equally regardless of class, race or any other demographic categorization.
• We are stewards, not exploiters, of the planet and its finite resources. Conservation trumps consumption, whenever possible.
• A nation’s currency should be a means of exchange and a store of value—period. It’s not to be manipulated for political reasons.
• Those entrusted with the most power are required to demonstrate the most proof behind the decisions they make.
Were we to embrace new stories like the above, how different would our priorities and actions be today? Vastly different, in our estimation. We would be investing orders of magnitude more into renewable energy sources and electrifying the transportation grid, and orders of magnitude less on fracked wells and SUV manufacturing. We would be treating our top-soils and fisheries as natural treasures, not as ATMs. Those caught trying to influence market prices would be in prison, not in the boardroom.
The point is: once the narrative changes, a whole new set of outcomes becomes possible.
The same is true at the individual level. Changing your personal narrative to align better with the future you wish to see frees you up from many of the ropes bound to you by your current one. It gives you permission to focus on developing the 8 Forms of Capital—to deepen other aspects of your life that society may even, in some cases, discourage you from attending to.
And most importantly, this world of alignment and opportunity gives you a positive view of the future to step into. No longer are you operating out of fear or doubt. The pit in your stomach warning you: I really shouldn’t to be living like this is gone. Instead, hope, purpose and optimism bloom. Self-esteem returns. Regardless of what the future brings, you’re now truly living.
In our work at Peak Prosperity, we see an abundance of inspirational examples of such progress demonstrated by many of the resiliency pioneers we talk with, as well as many of our readers who have undergone transformation in their lives.
We’ve personally seen the benefits a shift in personal narrative can bring. Both of us experienced sizable life changes when we left our corporate executive roles to pursue our mission, a big one being a dramatic drop in income. But we had worked in advance on re-defining what ‘wealth’ meant to us. True, money still plays a material role in our calculation of wealth, but we decided that there are many other components with an equal footing (purpose, health, self-sufficiency, strong relationships, time in nature, community involvement, etc.). We believed we could cut our standard of living in half, yet double our quality of life.
That was a foundational narrative for us. And it helped us weather the ‘tight times’ that ensued as we worked to get PeakProsperity.com off the ground. Holding that aspiration, along with a practical plan (with specific goals and milestones), really did take a lot of the worry and stress away during a time when, without it, we easily could have become consumed by the shock of the lost income and the uncertainty of our venture.
These are just a few examples of how embracing a narrative focused on resilience leads to empowering results. The better destiny it offers is there for the taking. But you’ve got to grasp it yourself.
Returning back to Gandhi in closing: another of his maxims is often paraphrased as “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” A wise sentiment from a wise man.
Such change only comes from within.
And starts with getting our stories straight.
Your author Chris remembers the first time he went out to buy emergency storage food at the local grocery store. He loaded up his cart with beans, rice, sugar and other staples. Hat tucked low over his sunglasses, a roll of cash in his pocket; he repeatedly rehearsed a cover story in his head in case anyone asked him what the supplies were for. After all, it was a pretty ridiculous-looking cart of food.
He was nervous throughout: worried of judgment from the other shoppers or, god forbid, from someone who recognized him. His stomach was tied in knots just from the simple act of buying food with the intention of storing it long-term just in case. Nobody would understand, he feared, thinking it was too outside of the social norm in his area. It’s just not something that normal people do.
That was back in 2004, over ten years ago. Of course today he’d have no problem saying what he was up to and why. But, sadly, shopping just in case is still socially different enough to raise a few eyebrows and make things slightly awkward.
Which brings us to the heart of this chapter: the obstacles that may prevent you from taking steps towards resilience.
Based on our experience, most people don’t take any steps at all to secure a better future for themselves. And not because of any limitations in ability or resources; quite the opposite. Instead, it’s the emotional intangibles like fear, limiting beliefs and social pressures that usually trip folks up, many of which have no rational basis.
We’re going to spend some time deconstructing these now, because the more you understand them, the less power they will have over you.
SOCIAL PRESSURE
You might find yourself avoiding getting started down the path of becoming resilient simply because, as Chris experienced, it’s socially awkward and uncomfortable.
Most people don’t want to do anything too far out of social norms. And as hard as it is typically for most people to go against the social herd, with the material we cover it can be a pretty tall order. Preparing for disruptions to our modern lifestyle flies in the face of society’s sense of “normal”.
Most folks fear change, and they want to believe in the re-assuring dream—sold daily by our media and politicians—that everything’s great, and is only going to get better with each passing year. If they see you taking steps that signal you may not believe 100% in that promise, they interpret