Good judgment is an intangible component of flying which enhances safety. Good judgment can be the lifesaving edge in the midst of an unforeseen situation. General aviation flying is a safe mode of transportation, but with good judgment, it can be made safer. In fact, learning good judgment is just as much an important part of flying as learning to make good takeoffs and landings. There's nothing wrong with learning about flying from a relative or a friend who flies, but seek your formal training from a certificated Instructor who is trained to teach flying.
Bad habits are hard to break.
The CFI is the key to safe flying. Whether you're taking a refresher course or getting checked out in a new, perhaps more complex, make and model, or just have a basic question, seek the guidance of a qualified instructor. The best way to learn good judgment is through flying. Practice makes better pilots. What is needed, then, is to gain exposure to flying in small, digestible chunks, and to effectively evaluate this experience.