Start Noticing
“Most of our troubles come from not observing what we are doing while we are doing it.” — Musonius Rufus
The Obstacle
We know we’re on autopilot most of the time.
We know where that leads us.
New year, new promises.
Yet, things probably feel pretty much the same.
They feel the same because they are the same.
We’re the same.
Still running the same autopilot.
Bumping into the same problems.
Having the same conflicts.
Wasting the same time on the same things.
Not doing what we wanted.
The things we promised.
Why?
We never started noticing.
We are busy doing and not Being…
We avoid.
Procrastinate.
Over-control.
Wait for things to be perfect.
Until we notice what’s holding us back, we can’t identify the problem.
We cannot solve a problem we don’t notice exists.
Our auto pilot is the problem.
It’s navigation was set years ago and has never corrected.
We have not noticed how often we are off course.
The Gift and Opportunity
If we can notice the turbulence and bad landings, we can take control.
We can reprogram.
Simply notice.
Our moods.
Physical being - tension, posture, energy.
Conversations and conflicts.
Where our actions and behaviors take us.
Where they have taken us.
Where they will take us if we do not course correct.
Notice what happens when we change…
If we can start to notice as often as possible, we can interrupt the autopilot.
We can take the controls and steer out of the turbulence.
And if we notice often enough, we can rewrite the autopilot entirely.
Action becomes habit.
Habit becomes the new automatic behavior.
It all starts with noticing.
The Practice of Self-Mastery
Notice your mood before reacting
Notice where your auto pilot is taking you
Notice patterns before repeating them
Notice outcomes before justifying them
CHEAT CODE: STOP →NOTICE → PAUSE → CORRECT COURSE → REPEAT
