How to Stop Running on Autopilot.
I have a confession-I struggle with being mindful. Oh you too?
One morning last week, I made an intentional decision to splurge on a cab to get to my morning class, which would allow for an 30 minutes of extra sleep. I knew that an extra half hour would allow me to be a better teacher, be more present with my clients and have the energy to meet a few critical deadlines. So I consciously “slept in,” got ready and left my house.
Fast forward 26 minutes later, as I am walking through SoHo when it suddenly dawns on me, I did not make the journey via taxi, I got there by subway. Which means that for the last 26 minutes I was completely unaware that I had not followed through on my plan. I was on autopilot for 26 minutes without it even registering.
This realization stunned me to my core. It’s not as if I blacked out, that would mean I didn’t remember the journey. No, I was “awake” but so immersed in habitual distraction that it didn’t register I was taking unintended action. I was on my way to teach yoga and encourage mindfulness and I was completely checked out – oh the irony!
Mindfulness teachers regularly say that realizing you aren’t being mindful is a form of mindfulness. But what does a 26 minute gap in consciousness mean?
The reality is that most of us spend the greater part of our life operating in this unconscious state. We eat, drive, work and interact with friends and family – all while thinking about something else. Running on autopilot inhibits our ability to deeply connect – to ourselves, to others and to our purpose. When these periods of being on autopilot extend from seconds to days and weeks, we are setting the groundwork for feeling disconnected and discontent with the life we are living.
Our work is to break the pattern.
Mindfulness is the autopilot “off switch”. It’s the pause button that brings us back to this moment and trains us in living consciously. Hitting the pause button frequently improves your ability to think and act consciously.
One minute mindfulness boost:
Stop what you are doing.
Take a deep breath.
Notice where you are.
Feel what your body is doing.
Go about your day.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.