“Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation.”

“Persons, especially salaried people who schedule their spare time, to provide for home study, seldom remain at the bottom very long.  Their action opens the way for the upward climb, removes many obstacles from their path, and gains the friendly interest of those who have the power to put them in the way of opportunity.”

–Think And Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill

With all the news I read and hear these days concerning the economy, the future of food prices, the viability of the US dollar remaining as the global currency, or what the President or Congress promise they’ll do that will fix everything, it’s more important than ever that I learn enough about these issues, especially what they mean for my family, so my family can be best prepared for what lies ahead.  It’s time for me to actively learn so I can separate the real from others’ self-interest.  This takes time, but it’s time that I control and I can prioritize what I do with it.

Of course, I could sit in front of the TV and have the news broadcasters tell me “what’s important to know.”  That is certainly easy, but may only be information some producer wants me to understand about the situation.  I can’t account for what I’m not told or shown concerning the issue.  In addition, it can be a pretty passive way of learning, in fact it isn’t learning at all, it’s simply being on the receiving end of the information presented.  From that I can decide if I need to take action to learn more.  If so I arm myself with a goal to learn about the issues to which I feel  most vulnerable.

For example, when you hear about the declining dollar and you want to know what you can do about it regarding your family’s finances, you may need to brush up on alternative ways to protect or otherwise use your money.   Make a plan to read from different sources,  so you don’t act as if you got a good stock tip and go off taking action without learning about the ins and outs of applying the new knowledge.

Again, if you’re concerned whether the economy will cause further layoffs at your place of work, arm yourself with a goal to learn a new marketable task or allow yourself to consider other income alternatives that may be part-time work or work from home ideas.  Make a plan to get the necessary education and proceed.

In doing this you may turn crisis into opportunity.  Do a Google search to get a sense of the information out there on the topic, talk to informed people, and investigate.  There are some resources on this site that I’m affiliated with that you could check out.  As an education source, I’ve found the folks at GoldSilver.com give me “the rest of the story” when it comes to news on the US dollar, Gold and Silver, and what impacts the dollar.

Wherever you go to seek answers and solutions, make the plan, set the priorities, and take action.