SHTF Attitude Check: 3 Reasons You Need to Think Like an Entrepreneur

Undoubtedly, there are endless lists, tutorials, strategies and methods on preparing for the coming SHTF scenario – and the web is just loaded full of them. Between tying knots and building a bunker, it’s not hard to find the specifics on how to do things, and the why, when and where are all based on your situation and the SHTF scenario itself. But sometimes, it’s the question of what, that can drive us crazy.

What should we be doing while we prepare? And furthermore, what should we continue doing when that particular scenario has brought civilized society to its knees?

For most of us, we don’t work jobs that would allow us to continue after the electricity goes out. So are we just going to burn through our preps, hoping and praying for our fearless leaders to switch the power back on? I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one.

When the SHTF, the ones who make it will be both capable people and forward thinkers. The irony of this is somewhat intriguing: after the collapse…

We’re all going to have to be self-employed in some way.

This is why we need to keep a forward thinking attitude: entrepreneurs who see the silver lining in the storm clouds and abounding opportunities, despite those hardest of times.

Reason #1: Entrepreneurs Leverage Their Connections.

One of the most obvious marks of entrepreneurs is their ability to see the value of having a network of connections. These days, it’s not just what you know… it’s who you know.

After the SHTF, this truth rings even louder.

We don’t have the ability to do everything on our own, and even if we could survive that way, it doesn’t mean that this will be the most effective strategy. You might be insanely good at a couple things, but probably not everything you might need for self-sustenance. For instance, just because an auto mechanic might be sitting fairly well off during that scenario, possessing the highly useful skill to fix cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc. – it doesn’t mean that she or he can efficiently skin a buck, while extracting and preserving all of the beastie’s resources (meat, leather, sinew, bone, tallow).

But if these two people connected and traded the services of their respective expertise… then they’ve got a very good thing going for them.

In addition, don’t underestimate the value of people, even for their own networking abilities. We might agree that attorneys will probably have little value after an SHTF scenario (or at least right off the bat) – though they can be very useful during stable, more civil times.

But to a forward thinker after the collapse, this person is an invaluable “networking opportunity.” For instance, say you knew an attorney that specialized in motorcycle law. Not only are motorcycles one of the undisputed best forms of transportation during a SHTF scenario, but also the good folks who own them often know their bikes extremely well.

I must ask, who better to know than a guy with hundreds of connections with people who own motorcycles? If you need to barter for one or help with fixing the one you’ve got, then this very specialized attorney would be your saving grace. That’s the power of connections.

Reason #2: Entrepreneurs Leverage Their Time.

I believe that the most primitive form of survival depends on a delicate balance of time vs. resources. The more resources you have, the less time you need. The more time you have, the fewer resources you need.

The ability to effectively manage time is going to have a major impact on the survivability of a situation. Survival is largely a race against the clock – because at this point, you’re going to need to manage time against the threat of starvation, dehydration, disease and general exhaustion.

However, this is one place where entrepreneurs shine. One of the major gateways to success for the entrepreneur is when he or she figures out how to leverage time. At which point, the individual has several revenue streams coming in simultaneously.

This is why I am a huge advocate of using trapping methods (as I’ve written about before) during an SHTF situation. If you’re totally dependent on hunting, then you’re essentially stuck performing a single task, praying a doe wanders by. Why? So you’re not wasting time! Trapping is a residual revenue stream, because you can set 10, and walk away to address other high priority tasks.

However, this is also one reason why I discussed the “network principle” first – because it’s hard to leverage time with absolutely no help. Where you don’t have technology, you have to depend on people… and that is one situation where technology will come up short.

For instance, if you already have your network in place, not only can you depend on a master hunter, but you can also depend on an expert in butchering, which results in less waste and more efficiency.

Providing them with your own set of skills (eg. defensive, mechanical, medical, etc.), would sweeten the deal – and you can all work together harmoniously. Essentially, you’ve just massively leveraged your time. How?

Because everyone is working together, doing what he or she does best… simultaneously: maximum revenue through maximum efficiency, equals maximum survivability.

Reason #3: Entrepreneurs Leverage Their Resources.

Leveraging time and people will only get you so far, but, if you can leverage those resources, or “revenue,” to their optimal effectiveness, then you’ve changed the game in your favor in a very big way.

How so?

This is where simple economics comes into play: essentially, everything has some kind of value, but everything is basically worth what a buyer will pay for it. The reason why currency is a powerful form of bartering is because it offers the ability to trade for items that someone else doesn’t necessarily need. But, they can use the currency you gave them in order to purchase what they do need.

However, after a collapse, I believe currency will be devalued to the point where it’s worth more to burn it – rather than using it to purchase wood for the furnace.

And so, we’re back to the bartering system. But entrepreneurs are going to understand how to leverage their resources, based on… wait for it… their network! They will know the value of what they have, through the people they know.

So, if I were a knife maker or I knew the art of blacksmithing, I would begin to develop connections with hunters, trappers, butchers, nurses or doctors, and especially farmers – because all of these people are going to need my knives and ability to repair and craft metal items. I might have a whole bunch of knives and metal gear at my disposal that I really don’t need (the more of them I have, the less value they give me).

But, I can exchange my inventory for bandages or venison… or bacon. Tasty, tasty bacon.

Trust me, if you think like an entrepreneur, you won’t just be surviving for long. You’ll be thriving… and eating bacon.