Are you living life on autopilot? If you’re not careful, it’s easy to fall into a routine and stop thinking for yourself. This can be dangerous because it can lead to complacency and a lack of motivation. In this blog post, we will discuss the signs that you’re living on autopilot. We will also provide tips on how to break out of this rut and start living life to the fullest!
7 Signs You’re Living on Autopilot
Living on autopilot is an unconscious process, so you will have to pay close attention to be aware of the signs. Here are seven signs that you may be on autopilot:
1. You’re Not Motivated
When you’re living on autopilot, it’s easy to lose your motivation and enthusiasm for life. You may feel like you’re just going through the motions and don’t really care about what you’re doing.
We need spontaneity and newness in our lives in order to thrive. When you’re living on autopilot, you lose out on these things. For example, you may feel uninterested in going to a friend’s house if you just do the same thing every time.
Until you introduce something new into the activity or relationship, it will likely bore you.
2. You’re Unhappy
If you’re not motivated and don’t care about what you’re doing, it’s likely that you’re also unhappy. When you stop thinking for yourself, it becomes hard to find joy in life. When you’re simply going through the motions, it can be hard to find the “why” in your life.
When we have a clear “why”, it lets us know that our actions and intentions are meaningful and relevant to our lives. Without this, it’s easy to feel lost and without purpose.
If you’re unhappy, ask yourself why. What is missing in your life that is causing this feeling? What areas of life are in need of improvement? This will help you to break out of autopilot mode and start living life to the fullest.
3. Your Thoughts Are Unclear
If your thoughts are unclear, it’s a sign that you’re not paying attention. When you’re on autopilot, your mind is on cruise control and you’re not really thinking about what you’re doing.
Having a clear vision makes us more decisive and proactive. We’re more likely to take action when we know what we want. When our thoughts are unclear, it’s difficult to make decisions because we don’t have a clear idea of what we want.
For many people, a lack of clarity can lead to anxiety and decision fatigue. This can keep us stuck in patterns for a long time because vague thoughts lead to the fear of the unknown. This is why developing mental clarity is so important.
4. You Procrastinate More Than Usual
When you stop thinking for yourself, it’s easy to put off tasks and responsibilities. When you’re not engaged in what you’re doing, it becomes difficult to get started. For example, you may feel like you don’t have the energy to start working on a project and have a habit of taking several trips to the bathroom or kitchen to avoid getting started.
We need passion and enthusiasm in our lives in order to be productive. When we’re not motivated, it’s hard to get started. This leads to procrastination and a lack of productivity.
5. You Experience More Stress Than Normal
When you’re on autopilot, it can be more difficult to manage stress. All the extra stress can cause health problems and make it difficult to relax. Your coping mechanisms may have become automated if you’re experiencing chronic stress. This can work for a small amount of time, but it is important to regularly re-evaluate these forms of coping to make sure that they are serving your life instead of limiting it.
6. You’re More Likely To Make Mistakes
When you’re not paying attention, you’re more likely to make mistakes. When you’re not focused, it’s easy to forget things or make careless mistakes. Another symptom of living on autopilot is that you may forget what you’ve been doing.
It’s hard to problem-solve or correct mistakes when you’re not even really aware of what you were doing in the first place. This is because we need concentration and focus in order to do our best. We also need these qualities in order to be effective and efficient with our time.
7. Nothing Changes or Grows In Your Life
When you’re living on autopilot, it’s easy to let your life stagnate. There isn’t room for things to change or grow if you’re simply repeating the same patterns and habits every day.
Even if you’re learning something new, you may not experience growth if you’re on autopilot. This is because, even though you’re trying something new, you’re doing it in the same old way. This is usually due to wanting to be as comfortable as possible, which isn’t very conducive to growth.
How to Break Out of Autopilot Mode and Live More Intentionally
Intentionality is the antidote to living a life on autopilot. When you are being intentional, you are consciously making decisions based on your values and goals. Here are five ways to live more intentionally:
Start With Awareness
The first step is becoming aware of the choices you make on a daily basis. What are you doing automatically? What can you change or improve?
One way to track this is by taking notes in a journal or planner for a few days. If it’s hard for you to remember to track your day, set a reminder on your phone for each hour.
You may be surprised by how you’ve been using your time once you really take a look at what you’re doing. You may realize that you spend a lot of time on social media, or that you mindlessly eat snacks throughout the day.
This may not be comfortable to realize, but awareness is essential for making a change and getting off of autopilot mode.
Create a Plan
Once you’re aware of the areas in your life that you’d like to be more intentional, create a plan of action. What small steps can you take to make these changes?
Try to think of changes you can make that will have the biggest impact on your life possible. These are called “needle movers” and are a great way to set yourself up for wins when you’re trying to have a better quality of life. Even the smallest changes can have a big impact.
Make a Habit
Habits are key to living intentionally. If you can make your new intentions into habits, it will be much easier to stick with them in the long run. Some helpful habits for people on autopilot include:
- Meditating each morning to clear your mind and check in with yourself in the present moment
- Journaling each night to reflect on your day and what you’d like to change or improve for the next day
- Eating a healthy breakfast every morning so that you’re not starting your day hungry and stressed
- Exercising regularly so that you have time set aside each week to focus on your physical health
- Practicing affirmations that can help you stay positive and motivated
All of these habits will take time to develop, so be patient with yourself. Aim for consistency, not perfection, and remember to be kind to yourself so that you don’t give up.
Track Your Progress
Tracking your progress is a great way to stay motivated and on track. Seeing tangible results will help you to continue moving forward. Find a way to track your progress that feels fun for you. Some people enjoy using motivational apps, while others find bullet journaling to be helpful.
Whatever method you choose, make sure to build in reward systems for hitting your goals. Some healthy rewards include treating yourself to a yoga class, buying yourself a new book, or taking a day off work to relax.
Remind Yourself of Your Values
When times get tough, or when you feel like giving up, remind yourself of why you’re doing this in the first place. What are your values and why are they important to you? Did living life on autopilot really serve these values or beliefs?
It can be helpful to take some time alone to think about these things. Consider going into nature or taking some private time in your home. Make sure to write down your thoughts. This can serve as a powerful reminder when you feel like you’re losing sight of what’s important to you.
Make Time For Yourself
Many people who are living on autopilot are outsourcing themselves to their work, their families, or other commitments. This can leave little time for self-care and reflection.
It’s essential that you make time each week to focus on yourself. This may look like taking a yoga class, reading for pleasure, going for a walk in nature, or simply spending some time alone without any screens.
If you can’t think of anything to do with yourself, remember it’s ok to simply sit in silence and breathe. In fact, this can be one of the most helpful things you can do for yourself if you want to snap out of autopilot mode.
Final Thoughts
Living on autopilot can be comfortable and convenient, but it’s not very conducive to growth. If you’re feeling stuck in your life or like you’re just going through the motions, it may be time to break out of autopilot.
Living intentionally can be hard, but it’s worth it. When you’re in control of your life, instead of the other way around, you’ll find that you’re happier and more fulfilled.
By following these tips, you can make a shift from autopilot living to intentional living. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it when you feel happier and more fulfilled in your life!