Bookmark Website  | Free Registration  | The Team
The Lounge  | Champions  | The Wire |  Schedule |  Audio  |  Arcade  |  The Top Ten  |  Historical  |  Email  |  Video

Are You Suffering from the Autopilot Dilemma?


An epidemic is occurring all around you, and there is a good chance it has already found its way into your life. It begins slowly at first, nearly imperceptible. But it grows. In time it can take over your entire life. I have seen it happen too many times, and if you don't act now, it may happen to you.

It's easy to fall into the trap. Well-intentioned individuals of all ages don't mean for it to happen, but that doesn't matter. It takes much more than good intentions to steer clear of this problem. If all it took was good intentions the world would be packed with people living their dreams and accomplishing their goals. But that's not how it works, and this trap is one of the most common reasons why it has happened too often in the past, and will continue to happen in the future.

What exactly are we dealing with here? What is so deadly to the goals and hopes you have stored away in your head?

Routine.

ACTION WITHOUT PURPOSE

A very unusual experiment was conducted by John Fabre, the French naturalist, consisting of processionary caterpillars, a type of caterpillar that blindly follows the one in front of it. This explains the name processionary caterpillar. The experiment consisted of several of these caterpillars, a flowerpot filled to the rim with dirt, and pine needles.

The caterpillars formed a complete circle around the rim of the flowerpot, with the first one touching the back of the last one. The pine needles, the food of the processionary caterpillar, were placed in the center of the circle.

The caterpillars began their procession around the flowerpot, one following the other in a circle. This went on hour after hour, day after day, for an entire week. In the end, every one of the caterpillars dropped dead of starvation.

The one thing that could have saved them was only six inches away, but without purposeful thought or action, the caterpillars continued with a habitual routine that eventually proved too much to endure.

This is happening to people you know, maybe even you, although not to this degree. Get stuck doing the same old thing every single day and your goals, sitting only inches away, are as good as gone.

Plain and simple. You might think it's a little too simple, but falling into a routine can destroy your life. I have very strong beliefs about this because I have seen it happen to people close to me, as I'm sure you have as well. Good friends and family start off with bright hopes for the future, but their routine begins to take their place. 'No time, no time,' is a common excuse. After seventy years of having no time to do the things you have always wanted to do you'll end up with nothing but a good excuse in the end.

This is your life we are talking about here. It's worth taking the time to break the pattern of habit and creating the changes you wish to make. There is little more that is as important as the life you create and the good you leave behind. Recognize if you are in a routine and break free.

IT'S NOT YOUR MORNING ROUTINE

The routines I'm referring to are much deeper than a morning process of a shower and shave. I'm talking about turning off your brain and letting autopilot kick in. Doing the same things you did the day before with no plans to change the pattern any time soon.

You know the drill - wake up, shower, work, home, sleep, repeat. This is no way to live, and you know that. But it's still hard to break free once the routine has gotten hold of you. All hope is not lost. If you want to turn off the autopilot and start taking control of your life it takes only one moment to make the decision. And then everything changes.

You've heard it a thousands times, and it's a good thing, because it's true. If you keep doing what you have always done in the past you will keep getting the exact same results. People experience a partial insanity when it comes to routine. Perfectly logical creatures believe that doing the same thing again and again will get different results. That's crazy!

If you want to lose weight but continue with the same eating habits, you won't lose weight. If you want to have more energy but stay up until four and get up at six it won't happen. You have goals, just like everyone else. If you are stuck in a routine you won't accomplish them. Be honest with yourself about this one. It's the only way you'll realize the need for a change before you can enjoy improvement.

BREAK THE PATTERN!

What does it take? It takes a decision. A choice of what you really want to do with your life and the corresponding actions to make it happen. I want you to create a plan for your future and the goals you want to accomplish. If you know where you are going and how to get there you will not be disappointed in the end.

by Jason Gracia - Motivation123
Get your Free Motivation Kit filled with dozens of quick and easy motivation tips and techniques at the Motivation123 Web site. Visit http://www.Motivation123.com now!


MORE RESOURCES:

The Star-Ledger - NJ.com

'Chip on shoulder' gave Tim Brown motivation to become Rutgers' No. 1 wide ...
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com
Noah K. Murray/The Star-ledgertim Brown has managed to make the catches for Rutgers despite being 5-8, like this touchdown ...



Wildcats use last year's game as motivation, lesson
Oregon Daily Emerald
When the Arizona Wildcats (6-3, 4-2 Pacific-10 Conference) visited Autzen Stadium last year they found themselves down two ...

and more »


CBC.ca

With motivation from Pierce, Rondo turned up his game against Warriors
Providence Journal
By ROBERT LEE BOSTON – When Rajon Rondo entered training camp, the Celtics wanted him to show that he could be a consistent star night in and night out. ...
Perkins Talking Bout Practice, Practice!Hardwood Houdini (blog)
Rivers looks inward for answers to woesBoston Globe

all 509 news articles »


FOXSports.com

Florida embracing criticism over lack of scoring punch
The News Herald
“Obviously you don't like hearing a lot of criticism, but sometimes we can use it as motivation. Why can't we do this or why can't we do that, ...
Gators are ready to make the season's final pushGatorsports.com
Fans eye a farewell to TebowGainesville Sun
The League: Revelry and rivalryGatorsports.com

all 210 news articles »


MiamiHerald.com

Smokers get motivation to quit from great American Smokeout
TopNews United States
This Thursday is the Great American Smoke Out, which is being used for more than 30 years to help aid them in quitting smoking. As per a survey conducted by ...
Activists target city's high rate of smokingWorcester Telegram

all 529 news articles »


Seattle Post Intelligencer

OUR LEAGUE: Plenty of motivation for Clemson
Charlottesville Daily Progress
... a season-opening loss, a win in the last home game of the season and the last ACC game of the season and Senior Day, to name some motivating factors. ...
Gameday preview: Clemson vs. VirginiaThe State

all 559 news articles »


Pokes are out for revenge against Boise State
Casper Star-Tribune Online
Third-year coach Heath Schroyer's biggest obstacle this week may have been in convincing his team that they didn't need that type of motivation. ...

and more »


Psychology Today (blog)

The Myths of Intrinsic-Extrinsic Motivation
Psychology Today (blog)
Back in 1975 Edward Deci, Mark Lepper, and their colleagues proposed that rewards undermine intrinsic motivation. In contrast, Len Sushinsky and I argued ...



Buffs: Plenty of motivation
Longmont Daily Times-Call
BOULDER — Don't ask the players in the Colorado football program about the future. They don't know. And they really don't want to discuss ...

and more »


SportingNews.com

10-Pack: Fuel for the Week 11 fires
SportingNews.com
Over his 12-year career, Patriots receiver Randy Moss has made a habit of responding to external sources of motivation by having big games. ...

and more »

Google News


Advertisement



Section Site Map - Submit News - Feedback - Comments - Advertise with Us

Copyright © 2006 Luminati Inc. All rights reserved.