How to get through tough times using Autopilot Mode

• Negative feelings can create analysis paralysis, stopping you from starting on a task or persisting through obstacles.
• Positive feelings can (unconsciously) create expectations . When those expectations aren’t met, it’s easy to feel derailed and demotivated.

#1: Persisting through tasks that you must complete, but don’t like. You may enjoy your work, but it’s impossible to love all the tasks involved.

#2: Doing tasks faster. In Autopilot Mode, you work methodically like a robot: Knock out Task #1, move on to Task #2, and complete Task #3.

• You’ve removed your feelings, so you don’t feel as tempted to distract yourself with social media or Netflix.
• You’re focused on completing the task, so when you encounter problems, you’re more likely to persist through the problem and become creative at solving it.

#1: For planning, especially for long-term time horizons. 

• You should be deliberate in your planning so that your pursuits are intentional in helping you move closer to where you want to be.

#2: As a way of life. 

• If you’re in Autopilot Mode all the time, you’d blink and realize that you’ve “coasted” through a significant period of time. That’s when you feel that life has stagnated or become unintentional.

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I'm on a mission to find and implement life-tweaking ideas for designing and living an intentional life.

For every concept I discover, I strive to find examples and stories from my own life. This newsletter issue was inspired by my assignment grind for the Spring 2023 semester.

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