http://www.worldnetdaily.com/bluesky_hyatt/19991005_xcmhy_act_facts.shtml

Act on the facts

) 1999 Michael S. Hyatt

When I got up this morning, I didn't feel like going to the "Y" and exercising; I wanted to roll over and go back to sleep. I didn't feel like getting my annual physical this afternoon; I would rather do anything than get pricked, probed, and pinched by people I barely know. This evening I didn't feel like writing this article; I wanted to curl up with a great novel I'm reading and stop thinking about Y2K for a while.

I could have done all those things, but I learned a long time ago that acting on my feelings is not usually productive or prudent. So, I walked hard for 40 minutes on the treadmill (while reading my novel), got my annual physical and am sitting here writing.

Perhaps when it comes to Y2K, you don't feel like preparing. Maybe the novelty has worn off and you're tired of the whole thing. (Man, can I relate to that!) Maybe you're having second thoughts because of all the positive news in recent weeks and don't feel that it will be a big deal. Maybe you're a little embarrassed about preparing because all your friends think you've gone off the deep end.

My advice: forget your feelings. Do what you know is right. Act on the facts. And the central fact you need to remember is this: While agencies and companies are reporting good progress, very few are, in fact, compliant. And if there's one thing we know about programmers, it is that they are overly optimistic -- 73 percent of all corporate software projects are late or are abandoned all together.

Until the vast majority of systems are reported compliant, tested, and certified by an independent third-party, keep doing what is prudent and responsible. How are you doing on your Y2K preparation checklist? What areas still need attention? What can you do today to make sure that you have your contingency plans in place?

Something is better than nothing

OK, so you're convinced that Y2K will result in some level of disruption to your lifestyle. You want to start preparing, but the task seems so overwhelming. You want to do it right, and so it's easy to put off until you have more time or money. As a result, you may find yourself procrastinating. If so, remember this: you may not be able to do everything, but you can do something, and something is better than nothing.

As you begin preparing, you need to keep three things in mind:

1. Begin immediately. There is a lot less time to prepare than you may think -- at this writing, only 88 days. Moving from the "thinking about it" stage to real action is the most important aspect of any preparation plan. Therefore, like the Nike ad says, "Just do it."

2. Work incrementally. Don't worry about doing everything all at once. It will make the task seem too daunting and may cause you to get discouraged and quit. A little bit each day and each week is much more realistic and effective.

3. Prepare in community. Don't go about it alone. Form a preparedness group and let the division of labor work for you. This way you don't have to become an expert in everything. One person can be put in charge of researching food preparation, another water treatment, another alternative sources of heat and light, and so forth. Working with others will make the task seem less daunting and provide you with the opportunity to do more than if you try to prepare alone.

-- Uncle Bob (UNCLB0B@Y2KOK.ORG), October 05, 1999

Answers

Thanks for the post Uncle Bob. As always, Michael Hyatt hits the mark.

-- no talking please (breadlines@soupkitchen.gov), October 05, 1999.

Uncle,

Excellent post---agree with everything--except #3.

I just don't have any motivation to become a leader in something that sooooooo few care about--to then, potentially have it come back to haunt me in a couple months. I am a very benevolent individual and would give and have given the shirt off my back. Your advice on community preparation does not seem to square with the reality. My community is filled with the same people that have bought into "NO PROBLEMS" hook, line, and sinker. They are all anticipating a 36,000 stock market.

-- Harry Butts (dciinc@aol.com), October 05, 1999.

Good point Harry.

I read number 3 a little differently than you do.

I replaced 'community' and 'preparedness group' with 'family' and 'close friends.'

If we are prepared, then we are strong. We may be needed to help someone who is not.

-- no talking please (breadlines@soupkitchen.gov), October 05, 1999.