Remember yesterday when you were mindlessly scrolling through Instagram on your phone? Or that meeting you attended where your body was present for the first 20 minutes, but your mind was elsewhere? Perhaps you finally ‘arrived’ in the meeting, but it took a while. This common scenario highlights a prevalent issue in today’s fast-paced, always-on, technology driven world: operating on autopilot.
At HRO Core Inc., we are passionate about helping the individuals we work with to move off Autopilot, cultivate self-awareness and awareness of others, leading to connection and better performance.
This idea of moving from autopilot to awareness to connected has the power to transform not only individual experiences but also the entire workplace dynamic by creating a more human workplace. Here’s how small business leaders can guide their teams from autopilot to awareness:
Understanding Autopilot
Autopilot at work refers to those moments when we're physically present but mentally checked out. We perform tasks out of habit without fully engaging with them. Our attention is on the past or future and not centered in the present. Daniel Kahneman, in his book "Thinking, Fast and Slow," describes this phenomenon using the dual-process theory. He explains that our brains operate in two modes: System 1, which is fast, automatic and often subconscious (autopilot), and System 2, which is slower, more deliberate and conscious (awareness).
While System 1 helps us quickly navigate routine tasks, it can also lead to errors and a lack of fulfillment. A study by Killingsworth and Gilbert (2010) found that mind-wandering is a prevalent problem in the workplace. They found that people spend nearly 47% of their waking hours thinking about something other than what they’re currently doing.
Signs You Are on Autopilot
Recognizing when you or your team members are on autopilot is the first step toward making a change. Here are some common signs:
Behavioral Indicators: Frequently multitasking without focus, missing details in emails or conversations, feeling disengaged or detached from work tasks and having difficulty recalling what they did during the day.
Emotional Indicators: Experiencing feelings of boredom, frustration or a lack of motivation. Feeling disconnected to yourself and colleagues, feeling uncentered.
The Impact of Autopilot
When we're not fully engaged, our productivity suffers, and we're more likely to make errors. Creativity takes a hit because innovation often requires a deep level of engagement and presence. Otherwise, we’re skimming off of the top, producing automatic responses that often simply echo something we’ve heard before or whatever would be “easiest” so we can move onto the next task.
Being on autopilot can also strain relationships with colleagues, as we miss out on meaningful and reciprocal interactions. We perceive people who are deeply operating on autopilot negativity because they mimic someone who doesn’t care about a project or relationship. It can be frustrating and difficult to collaborate when there are a variety of people on a team experiencing different levels of awareness and autopilot.
Transitioning from Autopilot to Awareness
So what can you do about it? Well, as mentioned above, self-awareness is the key to getting off autopilot. In our experience, short micro-mindfulness practices are very powerful in helping us to get off autopilot and create a more fulfilling workplace. Short mindfulness practices allow us to pause and connect with our breath, mind, emotions and body. This connection is what helps us understand what is going on for us and respond more effectively with current, up to date information on our ‘current state.’ The result is better focus, reduced stress, improved decision-making and more happiness!
One of our favorite micro-practices is “Three Breaths” which actually comes in a few different formats!. It works great in any setting because it takes only thirty seconds and can be done anywhere. I also really encourage athletes to utilize this practice as it can easily be done in between shifts or before a race.
Here’s how it works:
Find a place where you can take that few seconds without interruption and relax your body into a comfortable position. Find a good posture. Notice your connection to the earth through your feet — whether you are sitting or standing. Notice your seat if you are sitting and your overall posture. Make any adjustments to create a posture that is alert yet relaxed.
Then, take a series of three breaths with three different focuses for each breath. I always encourage people to take the deepest, fullest, slowest breaths they feel comfortable with as it also impacts our nervous system as well as mind, emotions and body. It may take you practice to work up to longer, fuller breaths.
First Breath: Focus solely on the breath. You may notice the breath in your nostrils, and in your chest and the rest of your body. Sometimes on the outbreath I notice the breath a lot even in my lower body.
Second Breath: Focus on your body. Sometimes at the start of the breath I bring my attention to the top of my head and then as I let the breath out my attention goes down the body almost like a body scan. You can also just bring your attention to your whole body during the in and out breath.
Third Breath: Bring your attention to what is important right now for you. It might end up being something really simple like a glass of water or something more important like sending an email to your largest client. Whatever it is is perfect and what you need right now!
We often use this practice in meetings, taking the three breaths together.. If people feel comfortable sharing their answer to the question, “What’s important now?” it is a great way of being more human with each other. As we share and become aware of the variety of work-related and personal goals that our team holds close to the heart, we are able to collaborate better, be more empathetic and connect on shared goals. I taught mindfulness to my daughter’s class of 6-7 year olds recently and they really connected very quickly with this practice. Their hands went up immediately when I asked them ‘Ce qui est important maintenant?’ (I taught them in french). Their answers were immediate — “a glass of water,” “say thank you to Mr. Bryan,” “have some cheese and crackers,” etc. A very powerful example of the use of this practice.