The worst thing in the world is to have had the opportunity to fix or resolve a problem and to sit on one’s hands or let the chance pass us by without taking action. While some issues take us by surprise, e.g. breakthrough symptoms, new symptoms, or unexpected circumstances, other problems can be identified, marked, and resolved before it becomes a problem that overwhelms us and becomes too big to handle without help. We all need an early warning system. A system of checking weak points in our mental health, reviewing problem areas, and reinforcing deficits in our mental status before we experience free fall and collapse.
Why do we need a system? Your early warning radar doesn’t need to be so static and stubborn to creative adaption that you lose sight of a new climate or less predictable circumstances. The point is to have a procedure you review and process daily. Consistency is the most important aspect to having a successful early warning system. Problems can occur at anytime. Skipping a day here or there to look over potential problems on your radar can make the difference between a really good day and a living nightmare that could have been totally avoided if you kept to your plan.
How do you I know how to identify a problem area? You don’t need to be a therapist to know your strengths and areas to improve further. While it is only a problem if its a problem for you, the only person that would be able to say, “Yes, this is an issue for me”, is you. So don’t be shy or hesitant to Identity your problems. You can always change your mind at a later time and work on a more pressing issue. There is no issue so benign it cannot benefit from further improvement.
Remember, small problems can turn into cancers that will attack our inner most souls and unleash a world of demons in your life. There is no Pandora’s box when fine-tuning your early warning system. You cannot open the proverbial can of worms and unleash hell without intending to do so just because you went into the unknown and made a wrong turn. Instead, by confronting a situation head on your more likely to prevent a build up of whatever social, economic, or psychological pathogen waiting to attach you when you least suspect it. Does this seem like too big a feat to maintain daily?
Part of having shrewd and creative early warning system is also knowing the weak points in your ability to predict specific problems. Asking yourself: “What issues seem to pop up consistently?” So, upon identifying the weak point in your early warning system go ahead and make accommodations. Nobody is an expert in every area of their life. However, knowing which areas require additional attention or extra help is essential to creating a well working and proficient early radar system.
What kind of accommodations will I need? An accommodation can be anything from asking a friend for help, going to a counselor regularly for guidance, or engaging in self-help and self-management techniques to fine tune your existing skills. Anything you need, which you couldn’t have done without assistance, is something you will need to seek out regularly, often, and without pause to ensure you are managing the areas in your life which seem to spin out on a regular basis.
