Getting into a Different Mindset
So, I remember bumping into the name Aaron Cohen, related to Israel and security stuff, a while back. Wasn’t actively looking, maybe saw an interview clip or read an article somewhere online, you know how it is. Got me curious, this whole world of high-level security, counter-terrorism, the kind of training these guys go through. Seemed intense, almost like something out of a movie.
I think I picked up a book he was associated with, or maybe just read summaries and discussions about his ideas. The main thing that stuck with me wasn’t necessarily the hardcore combat stuff, but the emphasis on awareness, on just paying attention to your surroundings. Seemed like common sense, but the way it was framed, like a constant, active process, was different.
So, I thought, why not try? Just for kicks, see what it feels like. Started simple. When I went out, to the mall or just walking downtown, I made a point to consciously look around. Not in a paranoid way, just… noticing things.
- Where are the exits?
- Who’s coming in and out?
- Anything seem out of place?
Honestly, at first, it felt a bit silly. Like I was playing spy. And it was kind of tiring, mentally. Usually, I just drift through crowds, thinking about my own stuff. Actively scanning everything takes effort. I’d catch myself zoning out and have to refocus.
Did it for a few weeks. Didn’t stop any major incidents, obviously. I live a pretty quiet life. But I did notice I became quicker at spotting little things. Like noticing someone dropped their wallet ahead of me, or seeing a potential hazard on the sidewalk before tripping over it. Small stuff, but it felt like my observation skills sharpened up a tiny bit.
I also tried applying a bit of that mindset to home security. Not installing laser grids or anything! Just being more consistent with basics. Double-checking locks, making sure the back gate was actually latched, thinking about what someone could see from the street. Again, simple things, but doing it with that slightly more switched-on mindset felt different. More deliberate.
Here’s the thing though: keeping that level of awareness up all the time? It’s draining. I realized that for guys like Cohen, it’s a professional necessity, drilled in through intense training. For regular folks like me, trying to maintain that constantly felt unnatural, almost took away from just enjoying the moment sometimes.
So, what’s the takeaway? I didn’t become some security expert overnight, far from it. But the whole exercise was interesting. It made me appreciate the basics of situational awareness more. I don’t actively scan environments like I did during that experiment anymore, not constantly. But I think a little bit of that mindset stuck. I’m probably a bit more likely now to notice if something feels ‘off’, even if I can’t put my finger on why. It was a worthwhile little personal project, just to see the world through a slightly different lens for a while.
