Are You Running on Autopilot?

Hey there, brain warriors! ??

Welcome to this latest edition of #CognitiveMastery.

Today I would like to ask you this: Have you ever arrived at your destination without really remembering the drive? Or found yourself mindlessly scrolling through your phone, not even sure why you picked it up in the first place?

These are signs my friends that your brain has switched into autopilot mode. But rest assured, it happens to everybody.

Why Does This Happen?

Autopilot isn’t just a feature in fancy cars. Nope, it’s also one of your brain’s oldest survival mechanisms. The human brain is constantly trying to conserve energy, so it loves routines. Repeating the same actions, thoughts, or behaviours allows us to operate on less mental fuel. It isn't laziness, but a pure expression of efficiency.

Advantages of our brain "Autopilot Mode":

While autopilot can feel like we’re cruising through life without much effort, it does serve a practical purposes in our day-to-day functioning:

1. Efficiency: As mentioned above, your brain frees up space for important decisions by automating simple tasks like walking, eating, or driving.
2. Mental Shortcuts: When faced with repetitive or mundane situations, our autopilot mode helps us avoid decision fatigue, keeping us sharp for the bigger, more complex choices.
3. Stress Management: Autopilot can create a sense of stability and predictability, which can lower stress levels when dealing with a hectic lifestyle.

The Inconveniences of our brain "Autopilot Mode":

However, there’s a flip side to spending too much time on autopilot, and it’s not all smooth sailing. Here’s where things can go off track:

1. Lost Control: When your subconscious brain takes over, you stop consciously choosing how to respond to situations (or to spend your time). Life can start to feel repetitive and reactive rather than intentional. This is where usually anxiety creeps in.
2. Habits Gone Wrong: If you’ve ever reached for a snack without thinking (caught yourself opening the fridge and wondering why your are there) or defaulted to negative self-talk when things go wrong, you’re already familiar with autopilot’s dark side. The routines we fall into are not always good for us, they don't serve us well. Hello, social media binge sessions and "I'll start my healthy habit... tomorrow."
3. Stunted Growth: You will see this all over LinkedIn, growth requires stepping out of comfort zones, but when we’re on autopilot, we 100% avoid discomfort. As a result, we stop challenging ourselves and learning new skills. We end up stuck.

So, How Do You Take Back Control?

Here’s the good news: autopilot is not permanent. You can interrupt the subconscious patterns and live with more control and purpose by doing three key things:

1. Become Aware: Awareness is the first step toward change. You’ve heard me say it before but awareness is the cornerstone of change. Start observing your routines and behaviours. Ask yourself: "Am I doing this consciously, or am I just reacting?" If it feels automatic, hit the pause ?? button. Even small moments of mindfulness can start to shift the way your brain operates. As with anything involving the brain, the more you practice it, the sharper and more natural it becomes.
2. Set Intentions: Setting clear, intentional goals for how you want to spend your time or handle situations helps keep your conscious brain in the driver's seat. Simple changes, like planning your day the night before or identifying your "why" behind actions, can steer you off autopilot.
3. Challenge Your Comfort Zone: Step out of your usual habits by trying something new. Whether it’s a different route to work or a new hobby. This forces your brain to engage in novel thinking, creating new neural pathways, which leads to neuroplasticity — the holy grail of growth.

Your brain is a highly efficient machine, designed to automate processes and conserve energy. But it can also trap you in cycles that are less than ideal. Cycles that don't serve you.

The power lies in recognising when you're on autopilot and gently nudging yourself back to consciousness.

Let’s make autopilot your servant, not your master.

Until next time, keep those neurons sparking and thriving!

Your brain & health coach,

Thierry

P.S.: I hope you found value in this #CognitiveMastery newsletter! If it resonated with you, I’d love for you to share it with a friend who might benefit from it. And feel free to drop a comment below — I’d really enjoy hearing your thoughts.