Recently, while out on a run, I was approached by a homeless person....
What could I have done differently to avoid this potentially hazardous situation?
Good question. Without training, generally we act like modern people, thus focusing on a single task at hand with all or most of our senses, getting it done with great ability and efficiency. And in our modern careers and life singular focus serves us quite well.
My suggestion to maintain situational awareness is to watch a rugby or a soccer players’ eyes. In America we have middle linebackers in American football and short-stops with a runner on second base in baseball as examples. Their eyes are always moving, they are always listening and I can guarantee you they are thinking about multiple scenarios at once.
You need to practice this, always. At home and in the office, situational awareness won’t be as important for your safety, probably, but you will notice those worlds opening up to new observations as well.
You see, your eyes and mind focused on your watch in your example, because without practice, that’s what modern people do. After you practice some, you will have learned ... look down towards watch for a split second, look up at surroundings, repeat until you know the time...
Always watching, listening, smelling, thinking Hey is that dude closing the gap?
I like IDPA because I get to practice hand / eye coordination with a pistol. I hate IDPA because you can be really good at it with great hand / eye coordination and little else.
I like hunting because the hunting styles I use force me to use all of my senses while thinking about scenarios. Do you hunt?
