​IDENTIFYING THE THREAT

​By Eliana Barriga
Publisher and Managing Editor for The Retail Observer

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Eliana Barriga

I recently came back from an intensive 5 day defensive handgun training course out in the desert. Now, I know this may be a surprise for some of you who know me, and I am well aware that guns are an area of discord between many Americans right now. My decision to take this class was not about whether or not I may need to use a firearm one day, it was about educating myself in a defensive procedure, should the time ever come that I would need that knowledge.

Many of us habitually go through life with no plan of action. So when those “what if” scenarios do arise—we are caught off guard, unprepared and afraid. This only keeps us in reactive mode rather than a responsive one. How can we expect to grow if we are secretly living in fear? Fear for our health and personal safety, fear for the future of our children, fear for the survival of our businesses? The list can go on and on... The first step is to acknowledge that there is an area in your life that doesn’t feel right. An area that could use your attention, and a plan of action.

I can tell you that life is a whole lot better when you don’t hide from these areas of vulnerability. Because I chose to do something about my growing concerns for personal safety, I now have a sense of security that has left me with a feeling of empowerment and the courage to shine a light on all of the other areas of my life and business that need attention, with the determination to make a plan and do something about it.

As we all ring in the New Year, I challenge you to live more honestly with yourselves, take the time to identify and remove what’s threatening your peace of mind, health, happiness, and growth in 2016.

See you next year,
Eliana Barriga 
​eliana@retailobserver.com

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