Putting a Goal of Awareness into Action

I need awareness to be present, empathetic, and emotionally healthy. It's not just one thing. I need to know myself, and I need to see what's happening with other people. Both are difficult. It begins with setting a goal to be aware.

This shift from awareness to action is tied to living in the in-between. The in-between is all the small moments in life. It's everything that isn't a major milestone or crossing the finish line of a goal. The link between awareness and the in-between is powerful, and I wrote about my journey to this idea in my book The In-Between: Life in the Micro.

Awareness into Action: Before the In-Between

I used to prioritize the big picture and ignore the small details. In some ways, that was my version of awareness into action. That mindset helped me set and reach my goals. But the journey to achievement was just something I had to endure. I didn't think it held much value in the grand scheme of things.

Applying awareness into action to the small moments felt uncomfortable. I struggled with this, as I didn’t want to leave my bubble state. This was an environment I created to keep myself “safe” from feelings and emotions. It felt too risky to leave its comfort.

The Micro: Translating Awareness into Action

I did eventually abandon the bubble state. I realized that awareness was the driver to finding peace and joy in the micro. I had to recognize a situation and the interactions to then set an intention of action.

Awareness and intention go hand in hand. We have to “zoom” out from ourselves to find this fit. Much of the awareness I’ve earned came from a lot of trial and error. Awareness and intentions form a loop. Sometimes, awareness helps us set the intention. Other times, we set new intentions based on new awareness.

This interchange is critical when circumstances change. We can approach any scenario with awareness and intention, but the unexpected is always a possibility. So, we have to be adaptable.

Awareness and intention are essential in formulating the action we should take in a situation. It’s a general way of being in touch with the world. They work together to adjust the focus, no matter the environment.

What we get from this is actionable awareness.

Actionable Awareness

How do we put awareness into action in the in-between? It’s something that requires patience, which I’m still working on. Although, I know now I can face any situation, even if it’s chaotic and toxic. I check in with myself, observing my thoughts and feelings. Sometimes, an action changes these and shifts my perspective.

In these moments, I also accept that the action may be hard. If I just take the same action without tapping into awareness, the results will be the same.

When cultivating actionable awareness, remember to:

• Consider your emotions and how they influence the actions you take or don’t take.
• Remind yourself that taking action delivers valuable feedback.
• Listen to your gut that tells you to act and do it.

You’ll find more stories about translating awareness into action in my book.