Situational Awareness from the Life of Saul

Guest: Ben Rogers, 5 years Army paratrooper, 2X deployed to Afghanistan, 9 years law enforcement and SWAT team member.

1 Samuel 9 - the story of Saul and his father’s servant looking for the lost donkeys. Read it to get the emphasis behind the podcast!

“Situational awareness” is being aware of what is happening around you in terms of where you are, where you are supposed to be, and whether anyone or anything around you is a threat to your health and safety.

Military training keeps you “on edge” all the time - to help “heighten” your senses, to give you an awareness of things other than your own personal care and comfort!

T4M - developing “situational awareness” means that you see yourself as PART of the world, not the CENTER of it! Which means that you have a role to play - and choices to make - will you be a person who is looking to BE SERVED…or to SERVE OTHERS?

Ben - “situational awareness” means that you need to pay attention to all the facets of your life - your family, finances, freedom…you can’t just bury your head in your mobile phone and not pay attention to the world around you.

Situational awareness can be taught - it’s the self-discipline to not be self-absorbed.

Steps to Develop Situational Awareness:

1. Begins with self-discipline
2. Next step is self-awareness (can’t grow until you’re honest with where you are). 
3. Learn to make goals…and then accomplish them. Start small…but start.

Great resource: Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…and Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven

 

How to develop a “team” mentality:

1. Consider how your performance is evaluated by those around you…at work, at home, at school, etc…
2. Your family is your first team - you need to prepare to lead your family well.
3. Team “leader” is ultimately responsible - you need to train your children and those under your authority, but the “buck stops” with you as the leader!
4. Develop a mindset that you can accomplish things with or without recognition or praise.

Physical fitness is a great place to start the journey to self-discipline. Exercise, eat right, pay attention to the small details. As the famous Chinese proverb says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Ben - people who read are the smartest people in the world - you’ve got to do it. Best thing to read to start your day - God’s Word!

Ben - apply “situational awareness” and pay attention to your marriage relationship! 

Ben - “complacency kills.” If you DON’T pay attention to these issues, there will be consequences for your lack of awareness.

 

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