Self improvement cannot exist without self-preservation

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More and more, I’m seeing a greater lack of awareness. Situational awareness is something that has saved me more times than I can count, but why would I be talking about this in a self-development newsletter? How would you improve yourself if you didn’t have a “self” to improve? If a situation occurs, would you know what to do and where to go? Staying aware can help keep you safe no matter where you are.

Definition of situational awareness

The most basic definition is being knowledgeable and aware of who and/or what is around you. Regardless of your location, recognizing the number of people, cars, and other potential threats can be a lifesaver. Here are some real-life examples of people not being aware:

Very recently, I was on a bike ride in the neighborhood when I noticed a young guy up ahead with earbuds on. Although this is common now, you should not use it as an excuse to “check out” of the real world. I was riding up to him pretty quickly so I shouted, “On your left” twice. Even when I was close enough to smack him on the head, he never heard or saw me coming until I was past him. People who are seeking easy prey actively look for people like him. If you have earbuds on, keep it down so you can still hear the environment around you.

While searching for a parking space, I noticed a woman walking towards the grocery store while looking at her phone. While she didn’t have earbuds on, she was equally as oblivious. A car started backing up but noticed her. What would have happened if the driver didn’t notice her? The woman staring at her phone never stopped because she had no idea of what happened.

Both of these people obviously survived their potentially dangerous situations, but you can easily see how things could’ve taken a nasty turn.

How to be more aware

Let’s start with being more externally aware. It might seem obvious, but earbuds and cell phones can be your worst enemy. You get podcasts and music through earbuds which are great for motivation and learning, but you cannot, I repeat, cannot tune out the outside world especially when there are others around. I recommend listening with one ear or turning down the volume so you can remain vigilant. There are drivers who are not aware of pedestrians and cyclists. There are also predators looking for people who are clueless about their surroundings.

As far as being more internally aware, listen to your internal thoughts. Your thoughts influence your actions. I have always been an advocate of voice notes or journaling to help people learn what their thoughts might be. Actions do not happen on their own. The act of putting in your earbuds is probably preceded by the thought of “need my music.” If that’s true, have you taken the time to figure out what the consequences are for listening to your music while walking across the street? Do you really want your obituary to be “hit by a car in a parking lot while not paying attention?”

Benefits of being more aware

Several of the things I do when moving through a new environment are to take notice of the exits and cameras. When seated in a restaurant, I sit in a position that allows me to watch the doors. This lets me know the exits and where possible intruders might be coming from.

By being aware of your surroundings, you can usually tell if something is going to happen just prior to it happening. You will be PROACTIVE rather than REACTIVE. You will notice that both people and animals react differently. Animals especially are tuned into their surroundings for the simple act of survival. Some clues that people give include looking nervous or running in a panic. The first one is easily missed if you’re not aware.

I have had people say that I border on being paranoid. The definition of paranoia is the irrational distrust of others. Trust is not something that should be given freely. Staying aware of your surroundings is not paranoia. It may save your life one day just as it did for me.

The writer has two graduate degrees: one being in mental health counseling.

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