I reckon that it's an issue of listening to oneself, considering the current situation, and letting the brain do the maths.
Countless times I've done something - anything like driving, picking up a knife etc, and experienced the consequences, like a sudden braking or a scratch, then afterwards, realise that I saw that coming and did nothing.
There's a theory somewhere or other, where it's mantioned that we use only a tiny amount of the brain, so if anyone can tell me where the rest of it is, please let me know!