The brittleness test applies beyond business to personal life domains:
Career Brittleness - Skills that depend on specific tools or platforms - Income from single source or narrow specialty - Professional network in one company or industry - Reputation tied to single achievement or role
Relationship Brittleness - Social circles dependent on single context (work, hobby) - Support systems with single points of failure - Communication dependent on specific platforms - Emotional well-being tied to single relationship
Health Brittleness - Fitness requiring specific facilities or equipment - Nutrition dependent on narrow food sources - Medical care from single provider or location - Mental health strategies with no alternatives
Financial Brittleness - Income streams with common dependencies - Savings in single currency or institution - Insurance with coverage gaps - Estate planning with single points of failure
Testing these domains reveals personal vulnerabilities before life disruptions expose them traumatically.