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Basic awareness involves a practical and logical evaluation, typically cultivated through personal experiences rather than formal education. Although enhancing basic awareness might seem challenging, you can easily apply it by paying more attention and thinking carefully before making decisions. As your awareness grows, your choices will become more informed.
Steps
Make decisions based on basic awareness
Weigh the pros and cons of each option before making a decision. Consider the possible positive and negative outcomes of your choices. You might think silently if you need to make a quick decision, or write down the pros and cons to determine the best course of action. Put the options on a scale to see which yields the best results.
- For example, if you accept an invitation to drink alcohol when you're underage, you won't lose money and will be included with those inviting you, but the risk is that you could face legal trouble. The best and most reasonable decision would be to decline the invitation.
Trust your gut feeling so you don't overanalyze. Sometimes, your intuition will guide you toward the best decision. Whenever you're faced with a choice, pay attention to your gut instinct or the first answer that comes to mind. Think about the possible positive or negative outcomes, and choose the decision that feels right to you.
- For instance, if someone invites you to drink alcohol when you're underage, your immediate reaction might be to decline because you could get into trouble if caught.
Warning: This doesn't mean you should make hasty decisions. You still need to take time to consider the potential negative consequences of your actions.
Look at the situation from a different perspective to think things through thoroughly. You might find that giving advice to friends is often easier than advising yourself. When faced with a tough decision, pause for a moment and pretend you're advising someone else in the same situation. Consider what you would tell them to help them make the wisest decision. Don't choose an option you wouldn't recommend to a friend.
- For example, if you find a classmate's jacket at school and feel tempted to keep it, think about what you would say to a friend who found it. You'd probably advise them to take it to the lost and found, and that's the choice you should make in your own situation.
Ask for advice from someone trustworthy if you're unsure about your decision. It's perfectly okay not to know what to do when facing a difficult choice. Talk to your parents/guardians, a counselor, or a reliable friend about the situation. Discuss possible options with them to gain helpful insights, as they have more life experience and may have faced similar situations.
- For instance, you could ask, 'Mom, I'm really unsure about the right decision. Can I talk to you about it?'
- Only seek advice from people who have a positive influence on you, as those who tend to make poor decisions may not offer the most sensible advice.
It's okay to make mistakes sometimes. Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes regrets their decisions, but that doesn't mean everything is ruined. If you make a wrong decision, take time to reflect and figure out what you can do differently to achieve a better outcome next time. If you're faced with a similar situation in the future, remember to make a better choice.
- For example, if you wore sneakers to the beach and they got covered in sand, next time, bring flip-flops instead.
Practice applying basic awareness
Don't do things you know are harmful to you. A person with basic awareness makes decisions based on what yields the best and most positive results. If you're aware that something is bad for you, such as smoking or driving after drinking, avoid doing it to prevent negative consequences. Weigh the pros and cons of each option to make the best decision.
- For example, basic awareness tells you that buying something you can't afford is a bad decision because you'll face financial struggles.
Pay attention to your surroundings. Always keep an eye on what's happening around you and observe how others react to your actions. Use basic awareness to make decisions based on what's happening in front of you. For example, when crossing the street, wait until there's little traffic to ensure your safety.
- Observe people's facial expressions and body language when you're near them to gauge their reactions. For instance, if someone avoids eye contact or turns away during a conversation, basic awareness suggests that you should end the conversation because they’re not interested in continuing.
Choose the most practical option in a given situation. When making a decision, consider the pros and cons of each choice to determine the most practical one. Reflect on the options before reacting to ensure you make the right decision. Use your full judgment to avoid negative consequences.
- For instance, if you're deciding between cooking or ordering food, the most practical option might be cooking because you already have ingredients at home and don't need to spend extra money.
Think before you speak to avoid regret. Before saying something that might offend or hurt someone, consider how you would feel if someone said the same thing to you. If it seems negative, it’s usually best to avoid saying something hurtful, or remain silent. Always 'think before you speak' to ensure you're expressing yourself in the best possible way.
- Don’t forget to do this when texting, emailing, or writing letters. Always read through what you’ve written to make sure it conveys your intended message and doesn’t cause any misunderstandings.
Accept that there are some things you cannot change. Basic awareness teaches you that you can't alter the outcomes of things that have already happened, but don't let this affect your life negatively. Learn to accept the result by focusing on the positives in the situation, so you can see the bright side and move forward on the best path.
- For example, you might feel upset for not doing well on a test, but in reality, there are many more tests ahead, and you still have a chance to improve. Study and prepare for the next test to perform better.
Advice
- Everyone has a different level of basic awareness based on their experiences and age.
- Always prepare in advance. For example, if you know it will get cold, make sure to bring a sweater or jacket before you leave the house.
