You have all the right supplies. Your emergency plan is technically flawless. And yet, when disaster strikes, you still might find yourself struggling to survive. Why might you struggle? It’s due to one factor that can often undo even the best laid plans: the human element.

Survival isn’t just about having the right gear — it’s also about having the right state of mind. Imagining that you can handle the rigors of survival is pretty easy. The real survivor knows he can survive, and he knows it because he has already prepared himself for the potential rigors.

Do You Know How to Use Your Gear?

You have all the supplies you need: food rations, the means to prepare them, and all the necessary protection gear. Then, the moment of truth comes, and you find yourself without a clue how to actually use a piece of equipment.

Any gear you don’t know how to use properly is as useful to you as gear you forgot to get. It seems obvious to say, but how many people really take the time to learn how to use their equipment past just reading the instructions? The difference between being a true survivor and a weekend warrior is how you answer that question.

The only way to know for sure that you are fully prepared to use your gear is to take the time to get to know it. By cooking meals semi-regularly with the equipment in your emergency kit, you’ll become comfortable using them in situations when they become necessary. Familiarize yourself with your survival gear, and you’ll not only be sure ahead of time that you know how to use it, but also that it will fit your needs. The only surefire way to know that you’re prepared to rely on your supplies is through experience using them.

Can You Handle the Stress?

Of all the gear and things you need to survive, the most important is to know you can count on yourself. It’s easy to imagine you’re prepared to face the challenges of survival, only to find yourself overwhelmed at the worst possible moment. The shock of switching from the daily routine to emergency survival mode can lead to a great deal of stress. Stress can undo even the best planning in the world. Of course, a good survivor has already taken that into account.

Just like with your gear, the only way to know that you are prepared is to go through the steps to prepare yourself. The less of a shock the transition from your normal routine, the better you’re able to adapt. Start by regularly taking a few days a month away from all the luxuries of modern life. These likely won’t be there post-crisis, so you’ll know exactly what it takes to get by without them.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the lifestyle you’ll be leading in times of emergency even before it becomes a necessity. You think about doing it all the time anyway, right? Your brain is the most valuable tool you have. Make sure you can count on it when the time comes, and you’ll have already taken one of the most important steps down the road to survival preparedness.