I think it was Daisy who posted a thread about acceptance of a given situation.
I think preppers are a different sort when compared to the average American. We seem to be more capable of accepting of a situation, likely because we sit around mulling what everyone else thinks of as impossible.
And we post about it!
The first year I had goats, I tried an experiment: Could I make my own hay, with nothing but hand tools.
I got 90 days worth of hay. Not enough to get me through the whole winter. But I had bales of hay that I bought left over.
Now, with the cows and rabbits, I am going to need my neighbors to help if the livestock are to make it through the winter.
And, if my neighbors want to eat the following year something other than tubers.
Note: This is assuming fuel is gone, the tractors are lawn ornaments.
Concerning assessment, I was a intelligence analyst in the Marines. No jokes please!
Based off the facts or evidence present at the time:
What do we know?
What do we not know?
What do we think? Note this is where people tend to go down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories. Dont go there.
What is the best course of action?
What is the worst course of action?
What is the most likely course of action?
What is the least likely course of action?
What is the most dangerous course of action?
From those answers, develop a short, mid and long term plan. But the plan needs to be flexible to accommodate new information, new situations, or obstacles.
Look around for assets and liabilities. This could be everything from equipment to people. There are good people in a community. And there are those who are toxic.
Leadership. Some people lead. Some follow. Identify the leaders now.
Are you a leader?
Would you follow someone else?