Stop Living On Autopilot And Regain Control Of Your Life
Your life is not on autopilot. You are the player. You are the one making the moves, taking the actions, shaping the game... Every next step is yours to choose.
How Autopilot Living Creeps In
Living on autopilot doesn’t usually just happen. It's mostly the result of falling into routines that were once useful but no longer serve you.
You wake up, go to work, deal with daily responsibilities, maybe scroll through your phone for a while, then do it all again tomorrow. Nothing feels wrong exactly, but nothing feels particularly alive either.
And I'm not knocking it. Autopilot living is comfortable! But if we are in that mode for too long, then autopilot living is where dreams fade quietly into the background before finally disappearing altogether.
The Cost Of Staying On Autopilot
When you’re on autopilot, you’re reacting to life instead of directing it. Opportunities pass by because you’re too busy keeping the routine going. You end up settling, not because you don’t want more but because you’ve stopped actively deciding what’s next.
The cost?
Loss of direction and purpose.
Feeling disconnected from your goals.
Reduced motivation and excitement for the future.
A nagging sense that “there should be more”.
Regaining Control Starts With Awareness
The good news is that autopilot isn’t permanent. The first step to regaining control of your life is noticing you’re in it.
Ask yourself:
When was the last time I did something new just for me?
Do I make decisions actively or do I default to what’s familiar?
What would I change in my life if nothing was holding me back?
The moment you start asking these questions, you’ve already started shifting from autopilot to intentional living.
From Passenger To Pilot - Practical Steps To Regain Control
Once you’re aware you’ve been coasting, it’s time to take the controls back. Here’s how:
1. Define What You Want Next
Be clear about what you want in the next 3–6 months. Don’t just think in big, vague terms! Be specific.
2. Challenge Your Default Choices
When faced with a decision, pause and ask, “Is this what I actually want, or just what I usually do?”
3. Build An Intentional Routine
Replace habits that keep you stagnant with ones that move you forward.
4. Take One Deliberate Action Daily
It could be sending an email, researching a course or scheduling time for some self-reflection. Small steps build up into big shifts.
Why People Slip Back Into Autopilot
It’s easy to slide back into old patterns, especially when life gets busy or uncertain. That’s why having structure and accountability, as well as clarity, is so important. Without them, you drift back down the path of least resistance.
How “Your Starting Point” Gets You Back In The Driver’s Seat
This is exactly why I designed Your Starting Point, an online coaching session that helps you:
Identify where autopilot is holding you back.
Clarify exactly what you want next.
Create a simple, actionable plan for moving forward.
Build the confidence to make intentional choices every day.
This isn’t about tearing down your life and starting it again from scratch. It’s about consciously choosing the direction you want to go in and then taking control of the steps to get there.
Real-Life Example: Breaking The Cycle
One of my clients realised they’d been in the same job for years, not because they loved it, but because it was “just what I do.” Together, we identified what they really wanted, which was more creativity and flexibility. Within six months, they’d transitioned into freelance work, built a new daily routine for themselves and felt excited about Mondays again.
Living Intentionally Feels Different
When you stop living on autopilot, life doesn’t necessarily get easier but it certainly gets more meaningful! You start noticing opportunities. You feel proud of the choices you’re making. You stop waiting for “someday” and start living now.
If you’re ready to stop living on autopilot and regain control of your life, secure your spot on an upcoming Your Starting Point coaching session today. Together, we’ll create a personalised plan that helps you make intentional choices and move forward with clarity and purpose.