In the corporate world, we spend a lot of time and resources developing Business Continuity Plans (BCPs). These plans are designed to keep operations running smoothly when something unexpected hits – whether it’s a power outage, a cyberattack, or a natural disaster. But here’s a thought: what if we applied the same principles to our personal lives?
It might sound a bit overkill, but hear me out. Life is unpredictable. Things go wrong all the time. And when they do, stress takes over—usually because we’re caught off guard. But what if we had our own personal BCPs ready to go?
Let’s look at a few everyday situations where a personal BCP could save you time, money, and sanity.
1. Flat Bike Tire on the Way to Work
You’re pedaling to work, feeling good, getting some fresh air—and then pssshhh, your back tire gives out. Without a plan, panic sets in. You’re going to be late, you’re sweaty, and now you’re pushing a broken bike down the street.
Personal BCP Approach:
Step 1: Have a small emergency repair kit attached to your bike (patches, tire levers, a mini pump). Step 2: If repair isn’t possible, have your local rideshare app or taxi number saved and ready to use. Step 3: Store a clean shirt or backup workwear in your office locker or backpack. Step 4: Inform work via a pre-written message template: “Hi, quick update—I’ve had a bike issue on my commute, will be X minutes late. Everything under control.”
Result? You arrive a bit late, but calm, clean, and collected. The day moves on.
2. Motorbike Gets Stolen
You walk out to where your bike should be and it’s gone. Your stomach drops. It’s a horrible moment—and again, the stress often comes from not knowing what to do next.
Personal BCP Approach:
Step 1: Call the police and file a report. Have all your bike’s details (registration, VIN, photos) saved in a secure cloud folder. Step 2: Contact your insurance company. Keep your policy details stored and easy to access. Step 3: Use your backup transport plan: maybe your partner’s car, public transport, or a pre-loaded travel card. Step 4: If needed, notify your employer that you’ll be working remotely or arriving later.
Result? Yes, it’s still upsetting—but you stay functional and keep moving forward.
3. Phone Drops in Water
We’ve all done it. Toilet, sink, puddle—your phone is toast.
Personal BCP Approach:
Step 1: Enable automatic cloud backups for photos, contacts, and notes. Step 2: Keep a cheap backup phone at home with essential apps and logins installed. Step 3: Store important 2FA recovery codes offline, like on paper or a password manager.
You’re not scrambling for contacts or login credentials. You swap SIMs, carry on, and deal with replacing your main phone without the chaos.
Why BCP Your Life?
The beauty of a Business Continuity Plan is that it doesn’t stop problems from happening—it just makes sure you’re ready when they do. It’s about reducing panic, saving time, and making sure that one small disruption doesn’t derail your whole day, week, or month.
Think of it as personal resilience: the difference between reacting in chaos or responding with calm purpose.
Start Small
Keep a “go bag” in your car with essentials. Back up your data regularly. Have a copy of your passport and ID stored securely online. Know who to call when things go sideways—mechanic, insurance, pet sitter, tech support.
Life doesn’t come with a manual, but with a little foresight, you can build your own version—and be ready for anything.
Remember: You don’t need a corporate title to plan like a boss.
Leave a comment