How can I become more self-sufficient?

Question

I really hate relying on people.

Answer 1

Figure out what you have aptitude for and what you enjoy doing, then train yourself in that area. If you can find your own unique niche, then people will think of you when they have a need in that area. That's one of the reasons many consultants are so successful. They are proficient in a highly specialized area that few others are. This is in opposition to getting a job in, say, computer programming, working for a large company in a very competitive position where there are many more qualified applicants than there are positions available, and thus limiting your chances and being more dependent on others.

My friend enjoyed reading and debating. In college, he became head of his school's debate team, as well as head of the speaker's bureau, where he was in charge of researching and contacting the speakers that would come to his school. He was even in charge of picking them up at the airport when they'd fly in. He met some well-known personalities and lecturers this way. When he graduated (with a degree in communications), he held a few related entry-level positions, and then used connections to get into the publishing and literary fields. He eventually opened his own literary agency, representing some very successful authors. He is also the author of one of the most respected and popular books on becoming published.

All of which is to say, the more motivated you are in what you're doing, the more likely you'll find a path to success.

_______________________

Answer 2

.You need to have a plan. It is good that you realize you want to be self sufficient.
You should make a list of things you want to do and be realistic. Only you know yourself but you have friends and family that can help in guiding you.
You might have a talent that others see in you that you only feel but don't realize which can help in your discussion or at least a start of one.

Try things you might not know you like but don't stay with it if you don't like because you will fail and staying with something you don't like doesn't make you like. But, learn from it that is an education in itself.

Example: if you took a job being a orange picker even if you hated the job after you started you would of learn things from it you'd never think of before. How they are grown, the bugs the soil they grow in, how to graft a new orange type. You would learn so much you'd also gain the ability to Think, which many people never do they just do a job go home and just drift.

Formal education today is way over rated in the real world and the competition is crazy. Most jobs, the high end jobs, that everyone desires to make money are in short supple do to many being outsourced to cheap foreign wage countries. Also, many companies are downsizing and wages aren't going up as they use to.
There are many jobs one can do, learn from and be very self- sufficient. But, no matter what you decide you will need help an nothing is wrong with that if you have a Plan.
Having a plan you will know how long you will need that help to become self-sufficient putting you in the drivers seat and you won't feel so guilty relying on people while you acheive it.

What ever job full time part time or temporary you do always learn from it. 2nd and most important every paycheck take 10% off the top and put it in the bank and do not touch it for 5 yrs.

If you do that I gurantee not only will you be self sufficient you will beable to achieve all of your dreams. Best, Kit

Answer 3

First of all, it is good you realize that you should be self-sufficient! Too many people think that they are owed things ... The most important thing is to learn to live within your means, even if you don't have much means. Never spend money you don't have. Borrowing is the single most common and dangerous way of losing self-sufficiency. People make the mistake of thinking that making more money is the answer, but if you borrow against that you only get deeper into trouble. If you don't have money to buy something today, wait until you do, don't charge it! The only thing you should borrow for is something that does not lose value quickly -- so don't put meals, clothes, or electronics on credit. Don't be afraid to slum it for a while -- share some low-end place with a few roommates. Self-sufficiency will be its own reward.

Answer 4

It really depends on what you're lacking in. If it's knowledge, you have to spend more time in discussions, reading books or even research on the internet. In terms of monetary, just don't spend on impulse and get a stable job. I believe that's the bread and better of everyone's life.

There's no way one could be self-sufficient in all aspects, you still have to rely on your friends, just that they rely on you. That way, you become a reliable person . That are just some things you can't do in life, which others can, if everyone's so self-sufficient and don't rely on one another, why would there be companies, mergers and alliances?

Relying borrows strengths and neutralizes weaknesses in you. If you hate relying on people, it's not wrong but you must really believe in yourself. Access the situation well, and see what's right.

Answer 5

The first thing to do is ask yourself some questions.

What are my responsibilities?

What does it take to make me self sufficient?

What do I have to offer?

What are my skills and interests?

Where do I want to be and what do I want to be doing 5 years from now? (10 years from now)

Do I do something to make myself feel proud every day?

Now, Look at these answers and set reasonable goals. If the goal is attainable, you will reach it faster and create more important goals in the future.

Take it one step at a time. Document the steps and document your successes and failures, (no failures and you are not being honest with yourself).

Now, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF and find others you can believe in and that believe in you.

When you are knocked down by a failure, pick yourself up and start again. Failure is a lesson. By starting again you will avoid the mistakes and take a different path each time. Imagine you are a pit bull that won’t let go and don’t ever quit!

Because of my illness I use a wheelchair. I used to think my life was over. Now I realize; I don’t wear out shoes. I always have a seat and I never stand in line. Who has a better deal? You or me?

Answer 6

This is an excellent question, as we Baby Boomers grow old enough for people to volunteer to do things for us. They don't seem to understand that what we still CAN do for ourselves we would rather do. Your point about self-sufficiency is also important for every age, but we old fogies are touchy about it.

One way to be more self-sufficient is to analyze the things other people do for you and work out what portion of it is stopping you from doing it yourself. Many times an entire complex task is taken over just because one little part got awkward or painful to do. For example, suppose you cannot carry out a full trunk of luggage; it is simply too heavy. But if you can drag the empty trunk to your bedside and pack it yourself, and close the lid, and lock it, you can ask someone else to carry (or cart) the full trunk without sacrificing any of your privacy. So if someone offers to pack for you, decline the offer.

If people get to know that you want to do things for yourself, then they won't assume you want help, and so you will need to ask for it when you do. Probably there are people around you who have said, "If you need any help, let me know." The more you can limit such requests to things you really are not able to do, the better for all concerned.

By the same token, there's no reason not to be polite about declining help; a simple, "No, thanks," or "It's OK, I've got it," will do; they don't mean to be insulting, really they don't.

So, I guess what I'm saying about being self-sufficient is don't let people do more for you than necessary, and then you can work on pushing back the limits of what is necessary, one step at a time.

Answer 7

Write down every penny that you spend for a month. Then catagorize all of it and take a look at where you are wasting money and where you are spending necessary money. Based off of that, make a budget for yourself, giving yourself a little fun money, but not a lot. And then stick to your budget. Have mini-rewards set up for yourself when you stick to your budget each month.
If you are faced with whether or not to spend money on something... ask yourself... how will this purchase change my life in the next 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years. If it's only going to change your life in the next 10 minutes, you can probably do without it... and if it's really expensive and it's not going to have any impact on you in 10 years, maybe you can do without or find a cheaper substitute.
If you find you need more money, get a second job or figure out how you can go up in your current position to a higher paying job. Just know that more money means a higher work ethic, so be prepared to show up and work hard and earn it.
If you spend a little time doing this, you'll feel better about yourself and you'll end up enjoying your life a lot more.

Answer 8

Without knowing your age or situation, my answer will be a little on the "general" side.

Money will play a part in your independence. As long as you depend on others to pay your bills, rent, food, education, etc., you will never be self-sufficient. So, first off would be to make some money. Live within your means (ie., spend less than you make) and build a nest egg. A savings account, investments, etc.

Emotionally: know yourself, be your own therapist. Know what makes you tick, be honest with yourself, and know your strengths and weaknesses.

Even the self-sufficient need a little help from time to time. Know when to ask others for help, and know when you should be finding the answer yourself.

Answer 9

In order to become more self-suficient, you have to start by being more self-confident. You have to do teh things you think are good for you. The things you want are priorities over anything alse.

First, you have to know that you are the only person you need to do anything. No matter how bad the people think that what you do is. As long you do not hurt anyone, or to yourself, it is all right.

Second, you can read something of Psichology, or watch some movies that help you to see life different. You can watch: The Other Sister. This movie will tell you how sel-suficient you can be no matter what could be your limitations. Another movie is My left foot.

I hope it helps.

Answer 10

It is very hard in this world to be completely self-sufficient. The way things are set up you need to rely on people for everything. To maintain the roads, to bring food to the food store, to grow the food, refine the oil, etc, etc...

Most of the answers have been about getting a job or starting your own business. Running your own business is one way to not have to rely on people, but you still need to rely on your customers to pay the bills.

To truly become self sufficient you would need to find a way to produce everything you need yourself. You would want to learn about farming and how to build things yourself, and if you want electricity you need to learn how to generate it for yourself and how to make oil and gasoline from vegetables. You would need to cut wood for heat and basically learn to live off the land. There are secluded areas of the country where you can buy land for $1000 per acre and build a small farm hose there.

It's a long road, but it is possible to be totally self sufficient.

Good Luck!

Answer 11

Let us assume that self sufficiency in this question means self confident-nothing materialistic about it.
First you have to be knowledgeable - amass a lot of knowledge. You should have the knack of telling the right thing at right time. And then your expression should be clear, concise and precise.Your body language has to say much more than your mouth. The self confidence must droop from your body language when you speak to someone. He/she should feel that you are the master of what you are saying. When you see people stop doing their usual chores/talk and be attentive to listen to you, you have done it.
Will you think of this answer- you already have 72.