Ready to Break Free from Autopilot? Here's How to Be Fully Present
Sep 09, 2024
You know, I've been thinking a lot about how much of life we spend planning – for the future, for our work, for personal events, even for moments that may never happen. I realized this while making dinner the other night – I was on autopilot, moving through the motions, thinking about tomorrow, the next week, or even what I wished I'd said in a meeting earlier that day. Ever had a moment like that?
It’s incredible how we spend so much time either rehashing the past or predicting the future, isn’t it? As a mindset coach, I’ve noticed how easy it is for us to get swept up in this cycle. Our minds are wired to plan ahead, especially in our professional lives, where being two steps ahead can sometimes feel like a necessity.
But here's the thing – the present moment is where life actually happens. It’s where we shape our future, and it’s the only place where we can truly live.
So today, let’s take a pause together. Let’s notice when we slip into autopilot – no judgment, just awareness. Recognizing when we are mindless is a step towards mindfulness. The very act of noticing means you’re already on your way!
Our autopilot often drives choices that don't serve us well. But when we develop greater awareness, we gain control over our habits and decisions. Today, I challenge you to be fully present in just one action. Whether you’re sipping your morning coffee, eating lunch, attending a meeting, or listening to a colleague – bring your awareness fully into that moment.
A simple exercise I like to use when I find myself drifting is to engage the senses. What do you see, hear, smell, touch? Allow yourself to be fully immersed in the experience of now.
Even if you’re feeling uncomfortable emotions, know that they will come and go. They ebb and flow like waves, and by fostering mindful living, we can accept them in the present. By allowing ourselves to truly feel these emotions, we shift from being entangled in them to becoming the observer of the feeling. This mindful shift frees up the emotion to dissipate rather than perpetuating it and allowing it to stick around. Remember, emotions are transient. Be present with them, but know they will pass.
If you’d like to learn more about how to live more fully in the present, I’d love to share some life-changing skills with you. These can help you “fire and wire” your brain to truly embrace the now. Don’t just take my word for it – one of my clients, Cara, had this to say:
“I cannot say enough positive things about Nancy and how monumental her program has been for me! Her mentorship, guidance, and compassion have allowed me to see the world in a different light. I look forward to continuing to work with her and highly recommend her to individuals who want to better themselves and their lives by creating positive change in the world.”
So today, let’s take a deep breath, step out of autopilot, and choose to live in the present moment. You deserve the peace and clarity that comes from being fully aware of the now.
Enjoy the power of presence!
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