Turn it Off!

In our leadership session on Saturday, that was one of many discussions we shared together.

Thinking about that comment this morning, I asked myself several times over, what does that actually mean for me?

On reflection, it’s actually when your body is here, but your mind is elsewhere.

Do you know that feeling?

In my pre-mission coaching world language, it’s about paying attention and being aware.

As a coach I’d refer to this as having presence or being present.

However, from time to time, people simply zone out.

Have you seen this?

You probably do it yourself from time to time!

There in body, but your mind is elsewhere.

Frequently we simply turn our thinking to automatic mode, and we don’t pay attention, in other words we hit our autopilot.

For example, routinely, many of us drive in this mode – we get home and remember little or any part of the journey.

The key to change is every time you notice you are on autopilot, you turn your attention to what you are doing.

– Getting a glass of water, pause and feel your feet, hear the noise of the water as it flows into your glass.

– Walking to your next appointment, stop thinking about your things to do and notice that you are walking. What do you see, hear, smell, and feel? Touch something along the way.

– In your next meeting, after 20 minutes ask yourself if you are bored. If you are, then make a decision to turn your attention back on. What do you hear and see now?

– Stop Multi-tasking! (Exclamation mark). When someone asks to speak to you, then stop what you are doing, put your mobile down, stop typing and listen.

– Go and learn mindfulness.

What can you do to get off autopilot and be more present?