The Importance of Instructions and Why You Should Follow Them

What are Instructions?

Instructions are directions or teachings imparted from one individual to another. Instructions get utilized to pass a message, lessons, and suggestions or ideas on how to approach a particular question or problem. In school, teachers use instructions to depart critical knowledge to learners and to show them the various ways to approach educational issues. Teaching also entails instructional materials and directions on how multiple concepts work and how they relate to other ideas.

Instructions and their Importance in Roles and Responsibilities

Beyond school, instructions are generally the directions on how to approach mandated roles and responsibilities. Think of a military setting where soldiers get instructed on how to approach fighting on the battlegrounds and the various ways to defend themselves. Instructions are fundamental and, in a military context, can be a matter of life and death. As such, those who will acquire, understand, and follow the instructions carefully, have a reduced chance of risk and better prospects for survival. Proponents of conscription agree that volunteers are more likely to be better at following instructions.

The Consequences of Not Following Instructions

From a young age, we are all introduced to instructions and the consequences of the choices we make. For instance, as a child, when one was told not to touch a fire, one would also be told that touching it would lead to a burn. Such action characterizes the carrot-and-stick aspect of instructions. That is, following or failing to follow instructions can each have its consequences. When the child does not listen and touches a fire, they feel the burn and quickly withdraw their finger. It not only shows them the results of not following the given instructions but also reinforces the learning the child undergoes.