Success Advice
6 Warning Signs Your Life and Career Are On Autopilot
In our lives and careers, we tend to settle for good enough. We complain about how much we hate our jobs, but then we follow it up with “oh well, it could be worse, at least I have a job.
I was just like this, drifting along and letting life and my career transpire “according to plan.” But there was one problem; I didn’t know who’s plan I was following. From the outside, everyone thought I had it all. A secure job with a six-figure income, a beautiful wife and family, a new house and more.
But inside, it was a different story. I didn’t know who I was or what I wanted and expected out of life. Over time, I found myself burned out and stuck in a job I hated. But without any real plan and direction, I just stayed put. The misery bled over into my personal life, impacting my health and relationships. You may be in danger of this, too.
Check out these warning signs to see if you’re stuck in autopilot, and how to retake control:
1. You’re unsure how to answer the question – what’s most important to you?
You’re constantly busy and don’t stop to think about what things in your life matter the most. Your life is filled with one unconscious choice after another. To retake control, you have to become self-aware and determine what’s most important to you. Decide what you want your life to be like, start prioritizing the steps you need to take to get there.
“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” – Nelson Mandela
2. You never have enough time to do the things you know you should do
Maybe you already know what’s important, but life gets in the way, and you never can find the time to focus on those things. To change your life, you have to change your actions. Retake control by spending less time on Facebook. Limit the hours you spend watching TV. Replace these activities by making time for what’s most important to you and by adding those activities to your calendar.
3. You can’t remember the last book you read
Read or listen to a book? Maybe you’d rather veg out watching you favorite show or playing a game on your smartphone. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. According to a recent study, only 14 percent of adults read one or more books per month. Even then, the most read books are mystery, thriller, crime and other fiction books. Reading of any type is good, but to retake control, make sure you’re also reading books that can help you improve yourself and your job performance. And after you’ve read these books, apply what you’ve learned.
4. You lack the motivation and ambition to make changes
You don’t love your job, but it pays well, and your life is comfortable, so you lack the motivation to change. Or maybe you want something different, but you’ve suppressed your goals and desires because of what you think others expect from you. Living your life this way, settling for less that you want and deserve, will only lead to unfulfilled dreams and a life of regret. Retake control by figuring out what motivates you. Rediscover the dreams and desires that you’ve been suppressing and make them a priority in your daily activities.
5. You don’t have a plan for how your life will be different in 3-5 years
If you don’t know where you want to be in a few years, don’t be surprised when you wake up one day and realize you’re living a life you never wanted. While you’re drifting along and letting life happen to you, you’re missing out on all that life has to offer. Without a plan, you can expect a lot of shoulda, woulda, coulda moments when you look back on your life. The first step to retaking control is to create a detailed vision of the life you want. Then, set goals and create a plan of action that will help you achieve the vision.
6. You start your day by checking emails and your social media accounts
What you do each morning to start your day is all about habits – the good and bad ones. If one of the first things you do is grab your phone and start checking emails and your favorite social media account, you’re immediately handing over control of the rest of your day. Instead, start your day with a morning routine that develops and exercises your mind and body. That’s what will put you in control of your day instead of the day controlling you.
“Either you run the day or the day runs you.” – Jim Rohn
Each of these signs was once a direct reflection of my life and career. If you can relate and find yourself settling and wandering aimlessly through life, know that it doesn’t have to be that way.
Just as I did one year ago, make today be the day that you disengage autopilot and retake control of your life. Start by writing down your dreams and goals, and put together a plan that empowers you to start living the life you’ve imagined. You deserve it.
How will you retake control? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below?
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11 Mark Manson Lessons That’ll Redefine Success in the Digital Age
Success in the digital age isn’t about hacks, it’s about the raw, real lessons Mark Manson actually lives by.
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The Secret Daily Routines Behind History’s Most Brilliant Thinkers
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Why Daily Rituals Matter
Every great achiever has one thing in common: discipline. Behind the novels, inventions, discoveries, and masterpieces are small, consistent habits repeated daily. (more…)
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Personal Development
These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.
Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.
But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.
Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.
1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task
Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.
After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.
Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.
But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.
2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First
Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.
Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”
For example, if you’re a writer:
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Research your topic at night.
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Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
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Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.
You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.
3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace
Focus is the foundation of success.
According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.
Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.
Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.
4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life
Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”
This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.
If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.
5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills
Knowledge compounds over time.
Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.
I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.
Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.
6. Develop a Growth Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.
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A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
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A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.
Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.
7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You
I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.
If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.
Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.
Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.
8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions
Good mentors can fast-track your growth.
While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.
If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.
9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations
Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”
Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.
When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.
10. Focus on Your Strengths
Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.
If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.
A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.
Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.
11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Your beliefs shape your reality.
For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.
Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.
Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.
Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.
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