Why I Wrote a Book on Situational Awareness
Summary:
I wrote The Art of Not Getting Murdered because I believe situational awareness is the most important skill people ignore until it’s too late. My goal wasn’t to scare anyone but to give everyday people tools they can use right away to feel safer, spot danger early, and move with confidence.
Why I Wrote This Book
To say that I’m a fan of situational awareness (SA) would be an understatement. SA has literally saved my life on more than one occasion.
After years in law enforcement, on SWAT, and protecting dignitaries, one thing stood out to me: most threats don’t happen out of nowhere. There are almost always warning signs. The problem is that people either don’t notice them or they dismiss them.
That’s what led me to write this book. I wanted to take the training I had and translate it into something simple and useful for regular people. Not just for cops or military, but for parents, students, church members, or anyone who goes about their daily routine.
The goal was never to make readers paranoid. It was to help them prepare so they could enjoy life without being blindsided. So they could feel empowered, prepared, and confident.
Lost Child Plan: Every Church Should Have One
What the Book Teaches
At its core, the book is about situational awareness. That means paying attention to what’s going on around you, recognizing when something feels off, and making smart decisions before trouble finds you.
Inside, I walk readers through practical tools like:
- How to use the Cooper Color Code in daily life
- What pre-attack indicators look like and how to spot them
- Why body language matters more than words
- The obstacles that get in the way of awareness and how to overcome them
- How to apply SA when driving, running errands, working, traveling, or even at church
I kept the writing straightforward. No jargon, no complicated tactics. Just the kind of advice I’d give a friend if they asked how to keep themselves and their family safe.
What Makes This Book Different
There are a lot of books and courses about self-defense. Many of them focus on fighting skills or technical training. That has its place, but most people don’t need to be a black belt or carry specialized gear.
What they need is awareness. If you can spot trouble early, you can usually avoid it. The earlier you see the danger, the more choices you have. That’s the heart of this book.
I wrote The Art of Not Getting Murdered to give people an alternative to fear-driven content. Too often, safety advice is either overcomplicated or it leaves people feeling powerless. My approach is practical and confidence-building.
Who I Had in Mind When Writing
I pictured the everyday person. The mom walking with her kids through a parking lot. The college student heading back to their dorm at night. The employee working late in an office.
These are the people who benefit most from situational awareness. They don’t need tactical training. They need habits that make them harder to target and quicker to react if something feels wrong.
Why Situational Awareness Matters More Than Ever
We live in a distracted world. Phones, earbuds, and busy schedules. They all pull our attention away from what’s happening right in front of us. That’s where risk creeps in.
This book is my way of saying: you don’t have to live like that. By practicing SA, you’ll not only reduce your chances of becoming a victim, but you’ll also move through life with more confidence. You’ll trust yourself to notice things early and act with clarity.
Final Word
The Art of Not Getting Murdered isn’t about fear. It’s about preparation and peace of mind. It’s about equipping yourself with awareness so you can live your life without blind spots.
If there’s one thing I hope readers take away, it’s this: most danger doesn’t sneak up out of nowhere. If you pay attention, you’ll see it coming and you’ll have the chance to act before it’s too late.
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Key Takeaways
- I wrote the book to make situational awareness simple and practical for everyday life
- The lessons come from years of law enforcement and protection experience, broken down for regular people
- Readers learn how to notice warning signs, avoid common obstacles, and practice awareness in daily routines
- The goal is not paranoia but confidence: being ready, not afraid