Most people spend their waking hours worrying about the future instead of focusing on what’s in front of them. Being on autopilot mode has its benefits for mundane activities, such as driving, grocery shopping or chores around the house. However, going through an entire day on autopilot mode can easily cause unhappiness.
As humans, we are not wired to overanalyze every minor decision in our daily decisions but it can subconsciously lead us to paths that prevent us from pursuing our passions.
Do you control your mind or does your mind control you?
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What is autopilot mode?
One way to describe it would be your morning routine: you get out of bed, you brush your teeth, you shower… all without thinking about it. While it can advantageous for repetitive tasks, it can also become a problem if you start sleepwalking through important decisions.
Believe it or not, our wandering minds have a habit of creating endless thoughts all day. While we can’t control them all the time, it’s up to you to be conscious of your thinking patterns and to make positive changes based on your own values.
If your life feels like it’s passing you by or you often wake up dreading your day, there is a chance you may be living on autopilot mode. You might even be subconsciously making decisions that don’t necessarily align with what you want your life to be.
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Practice self-awareness.
The first step to getting off autopilot mode is to simply recognize your own behaviour. Being aware of your thoughts can allow you to find calmness in the mind and to ultimately make more informed decisions in your life.
Instead of thinking about the party you attended last night, or what you need to do when you get home from work, adjust your inner dialogue so that it reflects what you’re actually doing.
Next time you catch yourself with a negative thought, use your observing mind to clearly understand the situation. Perhaps you have a to-do list that you were hoping to finish by the end of the day and you feel anxious you haven’t started on it yet. Instead of beating yourself up over this, tell yourself that it’s okay to get it done tomorrow.
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Don’t let your thoughts control you.
It’s normal for your mind to drift from time to time, but it’s important to remember that you are in charge of your own destiny. Your thoughts create your reality and it’s up to you to change the way you connect with them.
Negative self-talk is detrimental to your self-esteem and that could affect your ability to maintain healthy relationships with the people around you. Repeated negative thinking leads to anxiety, depression, and in some cases, your physical health.
At the end of the day, you are responsible for your own happiness. You can choose to have a healthy thought process by eliminating the frequency of negative thinking.
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Step out of your comfort zone.
When your days become repetitive, your brain naturally enters autopilot mode. While automatic behaviour can be efficient for performing everyday functions, you also end up failing to appreciate the world around you. You risk exposing yourself to mental health issues, as your senses tend to be more desensitized.
When you’re less likely to engage in new experiences, you become disconnected in the things you have done a million times before. That makes it more difficult to be alert during these activities.
The key to breaking out of this cycle is to keep trying new things, as they can give you the opportunity to see life from a different perspective. A fresh outlook can easily improve your mental state and inspire you to conquer bigger things.
If you want to become the best version of yourself, start creating your own reality by practicing self-awareness, making positive changes to your routine, and simply stop living on autopilot mode.
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Productivity Hub 