Episode No. 31
Where to listen:
Stop fearing to choose
There are so many highs and lows when you are trying to become a better version of yourself. In my experience what makes the journey so much harder is when we struggle to make choices to align with that version. Since I started this journey going from more of a personal blog to a personal development blog, I realized one of the biggest flaws within my process was the fact I was a person who hated making choices. Growing up I preferred to just go along with things out of fear if I didn’t I would be viewed as difficult or just hard to get along with. But as I got older and started practicing self-development a lot more, I learned this mindset shift: “To decide is to manifest”.
I noticed when I did make decisions, opportunities for what I wanted became more and more available. When I didn’t, it was like this fog and I found myself more and more exhausted and overwhelmed because there were so much options to weigh.
In our fast-paced world, we make countless decisions daily. From what to wear to major life choices, our brains are constantly processing options. But not all decisions deserve equal mental energy. Understanding when to operate on autopilot and when to engage in conscious decision-making can be the key to maintaining mental clarity and making better choices.
Understanding Decision Fatigue
Decision fatigue occurs when the quality of our decisions deteriorates after a long session of decision-making. Like a muscle that becomes tired after exercise, our ability to make good choices becomes compromised the more decisions we face.
Signs of Decision Fatigue:
Impulsive decision-making
Avoiding decisions altogether
Making trade-off decisions poorly
Experiencing decision paralysis
The Role of Autopilot
Contrary to popular belief, operating on autopilot isn't always negative. In fact, it serves a crucial function in preserving our mental energy for more important decisions.
When Autopilot is Beneficial:
Daily routines (morning preparations, commute routes)
Basic self-care habits
Repetitive tasks at work
Regular household chores
When to Make Conscious Decisions
Some situations demand our full attention and conscious decision-making capabilities. Recognizing these moments is crucial for personal growth and success.
Key Areas for Intentional Choice-Making:
Major life decisions (career changes, relationships, living situations)
Financial planning and investments
Personal development goals
Health and wellness choices
Practical Strategies for Balance
Here are effective ways to manage your decision-making energy:
Make important decisions early in the day when mental energy is highest
Create systems and routines for recurring decisions
Use the "two-minute rule": If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately
Schedule important decisions for when you're most alert
Limit options for less important choices
Creating Your Decision-Making Framework
To optimize your decision-making process, consider these questions:
What's the potential impact of this decision?
How much time and energy should I invest in this choice?
Can this decision be systematized or automated?
What's the cost of making a wrong decision?
There is no "Perfect Decision"
The art of balancing autopilot and conscious decision-making lies in understanding which decisions deserve your mental energy. By creating intentional systems for routine choices while reserving your decision-making power for significant matters, you can navigate life more effectively and with less stress.
Once you decide, in terms of, who you want to be and the life you want to lead, it will become easier to make decisions that feel in alignment. Before I started to really think about the way I formed decisions, life felt very passive and I wasn’t truly happy.
However I also quickly realized a lot of times I tried to make the perfect decision but the perfect decision is not real. There are decisions that will feel right for the time and then you could evolve from.
There are simply stepping stones in our journey of growth and understanding. What matters more is our ability to adapt and refine our choices. Remember: The goal isn't to make every decision perfectly, but to allocate your mental resources wisely and create space for what truly matters.
🎧 Ready to dive deeper into this topic? Listen to the full podcast episode where we explore the nuances of being on autopilot and intentional living. Check out timestamps in the table below to navigate to specific sections that interest you most.
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What Inspired this Episode:
After going through a seasonal shift, I was inspired to create this podcast episode. In 2024 I was living slowly, but not intentionally. I was recovering from burnout and still trying to navigate what I wanted in my 1st-year post-graduation. My beliefs were challenged and I experienced burnout, changes in my relationships, health difficulties, etc. So I knew that I had to be more assertive about the decisions I was making and really think about whether it was what I wanted or if was I conditioned to believe it was the best thing to do. If you can relate to the uncertainty that happens pretty much from the times we have to make the choice of if we want to go to college or go to trade school etc. to what industry we want to have a role in, this post and podcast episode is for you.
Questions/Topics I wanted to explore:
"How to stop feeling overwhelmed by daily decisions?"
"What is decision fatigue and how does it affect mental health?"
"Scientific research on autopilot behavior and conscious decision making"
"Best practices for intentional living without burnout"
"How to balance automation and mindful choices in daily life?"
"Signs you're making too many decisions without purpose"
"Evidence-based strategies for reducing decision fatigue"
"When is autopilot beneficial for personal development?"
"Neuroscience behind decision-making and mental energy"
"How to create effective systems for better decision-making"
"Research on decision fatigue impact on personal growth"
"Methods to measure progress in intentional living"
Episode Description:
Hello everyone, Welcome back to another episode of A Little Atypical. This week we are catching up on content (This episode was recorded at the end of June 2024) and this episode is a continuation of the intentional living content. In this episode, we discuss the signs you are living life on autopilot (aka the opposite of having intentions behind your actions).
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Music by Remil - Evening Tea - https://thmatc.co/?l=DFECB5D4
Section | Timestamp | Notes |
Introduction | 00:00 | -Being on Autopilot is the opposite of intentional living -Autopilot = Automatic/ Thoughtless actions -Intentional Living = Purposeful / actions of value -Being on Autopilot is not ALWAYS bad because in certain areas of our lives not having to make decisions can allow us to save energy for bigger/ more important tasks |
Signs you are living on autopilot | 02:02 | -Mental constipation -Restlessness -The tendency to be reactive/ being short with people -Constant dissatisfaction with even things you thought would make you feel successful -A lack of awareness about your surroundings |
Conclusion | 21:45 | -Existing vs Living -Autopilot is existing -Autopilot puts you in a runt -To live is to be intentional |
Card Pull | 23:23 | -Spirit Animal Deck -The mouse |
What I'm grateful for | 26:45 | -The Watermelon salad and becoming more balanced eating habits |
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