Don’t Panic. Prepare.

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I’m on vacation this week with limited WiFi, but I refuse to break our stride. Here we go…

Panic Is a Reaction

When uncertainty shows up—whether through headlines, policies, or personal challenges—the temptation is always the same: panic.

But here’s what I’ve learned: panic is a reaction. Preparation is a response.

I wrote a recent article on navigating the Trump tariffs, and in that piece, I laid out some steps to stay grounded financially and professionally.

Be Prepared

But there’s something deeper I want to speak to here: the internal struggle to maintain your peace.

Because behind the panic is a question we all wrestle with: Am I ready for what might happen next? Here’s what I want you to hear: you don’t have to be perfect to be prepared.

Being prepared means having clarity—not control. It means you’ve asked yourself the hard questions before life forces them on you.

Questions like:

• What’s my next move if things shift?

• What do I need, not just financially—but emotionally and spiritually—to stay grounded?

• Am I building my life on something that lasts?

You don’t need a five-year plan. You need enough peace to move forward wisely this week.

If you feel overwhelmed, that’s human. If you’re tempted to freeze or flee, that’s normal. But don’t stay there. Pause. Reflect. Adjust.

The ones who thrive in uncertainty aren’t the ones who panic first. They’re the ones who prepare, move intentionally, and stay rooted in who they are—no matter what shifts around them.

You can do that.

You’ve got this, my friend!

If you are reading this far…

I hope this message finds you well. I’m sharing from my heart in hopes that you will be inspired to unearth and live out your God-given purpose. Hopefully, something I said resonated. I would love to hear from you if so. Please feel free to reach out to me on social media. FYI: I’m mostly active on Instagram these days. If you were forwarded this message, you can subscribe here to receive thoughts like this directly in your inbox. And don’t forget to check out the latest episode of my podcast, ConvoRoom with Mark Allen Patterson.

See you next week,