Rules Of Engagement: Survival Mode

"Unlearning and learning are effectively the same, processing information, new or old, in a way that brings about a level of realization that you didn't have before (I think)...." - SVM.

The importance of unlearning is a lesson that is not given much consideration. Unlearning or shedding information that once defined you, may no-longer hold the same value as we evolve. We are taught the importance of learning and the value of information, but the value of unlearning is often undisclosed. In theory, it sounds simple, but the process or the approach to unlearning can be challenging.

First, you must determine what to unlearn? How do we decide what is no-longer valuable? How do you unlearn the very thing(s) that has helped you survive?.. Do you unlearn what gun shots sound like? Do you no-longer avoid sitting with your back to the door? Or, do you unlearn that you have to put a pot of water in the oven, when using it to heat the house?

Ask yourself;

"What did you have to unlearn to get where you are today?"

Age, environment, maturity, etc. are all factors that may influence what must be unlearned. I call it the "Suit & Hat" state of mind. Let me explain.. On draft night, whether the NBA or NFL, highly talented young males who are being selected to enter a the league are preparing to walk across the stage, shake the hand of the commissioner and fasten their team hat to their head.. these moments are pivotal. All factors of life now play a part in how their life will progress. Think about it, the transition from sleeping in your parents house or dorm room, to 5 Star hotels, multi-million dollar meetings, and mansions. Everything that you once knew to be true, no-longer holds the same value.

Second, once you identify what has become less valuable, you must dispose of it quickly. You must rid yourself of anything that can damage your future. You must unlearn a subconscious "survival mode" that has been embedded in your existence.. your speech, your body language, your reactions. Everything, that has shaped you, molded you... is now placed on a chopping block, leaving you to decide (without proper training) which parts of yourself you must keep and which to discard.

The exercise of learning and unlearning run parallel to one another, in theory and reality. To understand that you must sacrifice pieces of your perception, education... and logic, to succeed in a new environment, is a task in it itself. Learning to unlearn. Unlearn to learn. This is a never ending exercise.

Written by - A Troubled Youth.

Rules Of Engagement R.O.E are a set of internal rules that define the degree and/or manner in which the use of strategic thought and action(s) are applied. Rules Of Engagement must be consistent, while accounting for a variety of potential uncertainties. Each rule is singular and can stand on its own to achieve the result in which you desire.. or rules can be assembled and utilized simultaneously. Rules of Engagement does not dictate how a result is to be achieved, but will guide what measures are unacceptable.