It’s easy to become complacent when it comes to self-defense. But we must not forget, trouble can present itself anytime, anywhere. Here are a few things to help you keep your guard up at all times.
Understand the Consequences
Always keep the results of being victimized in the front of your mind. Letting your guard down can result in life-altering consequences. You may have the right to run on that isolated trail at 5am in the morning. However, you must understand that you will be exposing yourself to a lot of danger.
Visualize the Situation
Visualize dangerous situations you may encounter. Don’t leave your home until you are prepared to deal with what you may face. A good example is carrying firearms for personal protection. So many people have told me that they carry sub-compact firearms in marginal calibers because they are “convenient and easy to conceal.” This is all good and well until it comes time to use them. Self-defense is a commitment dictated by our environments, not our desires and compromises.
Others are Depending on You
We have an obligation and duty to protect ourselves, our family and our loved ones. Complacency is a selfish act. Your loved ones are depending on you.
It Only Takes 1 Time
We all justify our actions by saying things like, “I will only be gone for 5 minutes, nothing will happen.” You have to assume that the one time you’re unprepared is the time you will be faced with danger.
Complacency Kills
The relative safety that most us enjoy on a daily basis is often the cause for us dropping our guard. Predators are counting on you becoming complacent, as it makes their jobs easy. Always make yourself a hard target. Never let your guard down.
Understand the risks to yourself and loved ones associated with complacency. Make your self-defense habitual. It should be the norm, never the exception. Criminals can hit and miss. We, as self-defenders, do not have the option of becoming complacent. That one time we let our guard down could very well be the one time danger strikes.
