10 Ways to Be More Self Reliant

For many people, asking for help is one of the hardest things to do. The desire to take care of oneself is only natural, but developing that ability takes a little more work.

Here are ten ways to be more self reliant.

Money Management/Budget

One of the most important parts of being self reliant is determined by how you handle your money. Some people think that working to get a good job that pays well is enough but managing money is more about what you do with the money you have rather than having more.

While it’s fine to have a goal to make more money, first develop a budget where you can live with the money you have, or even a little less than that, so that you can make a point to save or invest.

You may be lucky enough that a “rainy day” will never come, but chances are it will, and you’ll be ready to bounce back with your savings.

Learn to Cook

In our fast food, grab and go culture a lot of people don’t really know how to cook, and are lucky if they can boil water and make a piece of toast. In truth, cooking really isn’t that hard.

Most of it is just a matter of following directions. No one says you have to be Julia Child, just throw together a semi-nutritious meal that will keep you going.

If you’re a really rookie, you can start with box meals, but learn to make similar dishes from scratch, or partially from scratch in order to cut back on sodium and preservatives.

Look for a cookbook that has easy recipes that don’t require a lot of time or too many steps in preparation. Until you learn to truly enjoy your time in the kitchen, time consuming preparation will make it all too tempting to grab the phone and order a pizza.

Grow Your Own Food

Most people don’t necessarily have the land at home to run a small farm in their backyard, and many don’t have a yard at all. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t grow your own food.

Herbs are among the most popular edibles to grow. Basil, oregano, and dill are all good choice of herbs, are easy to grow and are things that you are likely to use yourself or will be able to give to others who are trying to cook more as well.

For something you can sink your teeth into, you can’t go wrong with tomatoes. Beans, peas, cucumbers and bell peppers can also be tended to without a lot of effort. For a treat, pick up a strawberry plant or two.

Even if you don’t have a yard, you can grow many of these things in containers and place them on your patio or deck.

If you want something pretty to show for your efforts, try to intermingle some marigolds that are believed to ward off bugs that might want to “share” your crop.

Develop a Plan B for Transportation

It’s common for teenagers to get really excited about learning to drive because they see it as a gateway to greater independence. And while learning to drive and owning a safe car are helpful, it’s important not to keep all your eggs in your back seat.

There are several reasons that could come up where you either can’t drive your car or would prefer not to.

Maybe your car will break down during a time where you cannot afford to get it fixed, or gas prices will rise to a point where you want to save money for a while, or you might have a minor injury that makes driving difficult.

But when this happens you still need to get where you need to go.

If you live in a city that has a good, reliable public transportation system it is a good idea to learn how to use it.

Learn the schedules and use the system a few times when you are going somewhere other than to an important appointment or to work.

Another alternative to the bus or train is to ride a bike or a scooter during your commute. A bike, of course, is great exercise and is an option for many trips.

If that isn’t an option, a scooter might be a good option since it uses less fuel and is inexpensive to maintain.

Stay Healthy

For some people, staying healthy is easier said than done, but the ability to move around properly is important to staying self-reliant. If you are overweight, make a commitment to losing as much of the extra weight as you can.

Find a way to exercise most days by doing something you enjoy, whether you join a gym, go for a good walk or run each day, or pop in an exercise video at home.

Eating balanced meals, and reasonable portions, is also an important component for staying healthy. Include lean proteins, and plenty of fruits and vegetables or whole grains.

See a doctor regularly, and be responsible about following any instructions that they give you.

Develop a Strong Work Ethic

Whether you are flipping burgers at the local fast food joint or managing a team of hundreds in a corporate office, a good work ethic shows that you are reliable and will make you less dispensable in the event that cutbacks should occur at your workplace.

With that said, it’s important to remember that no matter how strong your work ethic becomes, no one is ever completely indispensable. Counting om yourself isn’t enough.

You also need a strong network of people to rely upon. Have a list of references ready in case you do find yourself needing to find another job in a hurry.

Even if you feel relatively satisfied with your current position, take time to at least browse what else is out there and actively develop your interests and expertise in order to give yourself as many options as possible.

Be Generous with Others

No matter how self-reliant you become, it is nearly impossible to be in a position where you never need anyone.

You may tell yourself you are succeeding because of your own responsible actions, and that those who are failing are doing so because of their own shortcomings.

While this may be somewhat true there’s something to be said by giving others a break from time to time.

Learn to Use Tools

Whether you need to put together a piece of un-assembled furniture or tighten up a loose pipe on your kitchen sink, knowing your way around a tool box can save you time and money, and make you feel much more confident.

Start with simple repairs and watch others complete them if you can. If there are people in your life that tell you that you can’t use tools for any reason, i.e. – you’re female, too privileged, etc., do not listen to them.

There’s no such thing as someone who is too good or too dainty to pick up a screwdriver or a wrench.

Set goals and follow plans to achieve them

Part of being successful in life is knowing what success means to you. That means setting goals, both long term and short term goals.

If your long term goals require some kind of educational degree or certificate, set short term goals that involve getting the grades you need, working to keep your debt under control, and making networking contacts in your field.

While achieving a goal, large or small is a reward in itself, take time to reward yourself for a job well done. As important as it is to keep your nose to the grindstone, giving yourself the breaks you need helps you stay on track overall.

Step out of your comfort zone

Most people find they have mental blocks when it comes to doing things in their lives. While there may be things you don’t want to do because of moral reasons, there are also probably some things you’d like to do, but they make you feel awkward.

It can be something as simple as going to a movie by yourself or as wild and crazy as skydiving.

Life is filled with challenging and uncomfortable things that will require that you just buck up and do it. These things will not necessarily come at you on your terms.

Making a point of getting comfortable with a little discomfort will keep you more flexible and prepared for life’s challenges.