This is Your Brain, This is Your Brain on AutoPilot

This is Your Brain, This is Your Brain on AutoPilot

 

Our brain takes on a lot of different situations, tasks and information each and every day. In order to take in some new information that might take some skill to learn, our mind allows us to use autopilot for tasks that are more of a habit or that we are very familiar with. According to Keeley (1994), when we first take in information our brain processes it under the novel circuit. Once we grasp the concept, our brain hands the information over to a second circuit that manages learned tasks. When a tasks is learned it requires less attention and activity than previous. This allows our brain to free up space for new incoming content.

 

Have you ever showered, and did not think about showering. You were showering and thinking about your plan for the day, the past weekend, or anything else but showering. Then you get step out of the bath and realize you completely showered with barely any focus on it at all. Your brain switched to auto pilot. Here is another example of when your brain use auto pilot. Lets say you drive the same way to work each day. You come off street X and turn to street Y, never taking street Z. But, you now have plans to attend a speaking engagement and you know that you must take street Z to arrive there. As you drive you will have to stay very aware that you do not continue on street Y and that you force yourself to turn on street Z. When your mind goes on autopilot it will do what it always does and if you need to interrupt the typical flow, you will have to work to take yourself off autopilot.

 

Your brain works to save energy for you and helps you to take in new information by using its autopilot. However, it is also important when doing the same day in and day out tasks that you be sure that your brain allows you to enjoy moments, be present with family, and observe all that you have to be grateful for each day. Often we get caught up in the autopilot of life, and when sitting at dinner with the family, we are silently recapping the day or planning the next, not hearing what our child is saying at the table or your spouse mentioned about his/her day.

 

This week, as your brain automatically switches itself to autopilot, make sure that you have some control over its choices and decisions by being present when it matters most.   

 

Dr. Jaime Kulaga is a Certified Life Coach, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Motivational Speaker. She is the author of the upcoming book "The SuperWoman's Guide to Super Fulfillment: Step-by-Step Strategies to Create Work-Life Balance," to be published in March 2015. She is the inspirational founder of the nationally known SuperWoman Workshops. Dr. Kulaga has been featured internationally for her expertise in Work-Life Balance. http://www.mindfulrehab.com