When Is Autopilot A Bad Thing?
Written by: Tony Martignetti, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
I recently laughed to myself about an old scene from the movie Airplane. At one point, they turn on the emergency autopilot, and a funny blow-up pilot with a hat ends up flying the plane. It had me thinking about the concept of autopilot in our lives and how it can help or hurt us.
Marshall Goldsmith, the top executive coach in the world, and Barack Obama both talk about how they put their daily wardrobe on autopilot. They both own multiple pairs of the same shirt and pants they wear every day.
This isn’t for everybody but what works for them is that there isn’t a second of wasted time or energy in figuring out what to wear. It is just automatic!
Many people have their morning routine on autopilot and simply follow the rails of a well-established process that sets them up for the day.
And then, of course, outsourcing is a form of autopilot. For example, you can outsource your calendar management and social media posts. Subscription services or other service providers can even handle everything from your laundry to your meals.
You can even autopilot procuring your pleasure. For example, I have a service that sends me small-batch coffee from around the world every month. I don’t have to think about it, and I quite literally get a world of variety. It’s amazing.
The less time and energy you put towards things you don’t personally need to be focusing on, the more bandwidth you have for what is truly important in your life.
When you leverage your ability to put the right things on autopilot, it allows you to fully engage with the things that should never go on autopilot, like spending time with your loved ones. Communicating with the people you count on for business. Connecting with deeper meaning or being engaged in something you are passionate about.
Again, the whole point of autopilot is to set you up for full engagement with the things that matter most. So, what parts of your life cost you precious time and energy that could be put on autopilot?
You don’t have to do it all yourself when you can autopilot the right stuff and set yourself up for a life of ease, joy, and productivity. If you would like a little help, that’s one of my specialties.
Tony Martignetti, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Tony Martignetti, is a trusted leadership advisor, experience creator, author, podcast host, and speaker. He brings together over 25 years of business and management experience, formal training, and extreme curiosity to elevate leaders and equip them with the tools to navigate through change and unlock their true potential.
He loves guiding people to find clarity in their lives so they are energized, fully present, and unstoppable. When leaders unlock their potential and lead from a place of inspired purpose, they impact and inspire everyone around them. He has dedicated himself to helping people live inspired lives.
Before becoming the founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of Inspired Purpose Coaching, he was a finance and strategy executive with experience working with some of the world’s leading life sciences companies. Along his journey, he also managed small businesses and ran a financial consulting company.
Tony is the host of The Virtual Campfire podcast and the author of "Climbing the Right Mountain: Navigating the journey to An Inspired Life."
