Do you know what automaticity is?

Did you know that it can hurt or help you in your daily actions?

Automaticity is the capability to do things without engaging the mind with the small details that are required to do this action. A good example of this is when you are riding a bicycle. Automaticity is usually the result of learning, repetition, and practice.

The challenge for us as humans is that at times we take automaticity down the wrong path. Let me give you an example; a few years ago we were in Ireland. As we left the airport to go to the hotel in Dublin the driver turned the corner to drive on the ‘wrong side’ of the road. Well needless to say it was not the wrong side of the road for him, but it felt that for me. If I had been driving there is no telling as to how many accidents I may have caused due to my automaticity.

Why do I tell you this?

It is because I want you to understand that if your actions become too automatic they can hurt you if you are not paying attention to them.

What is one action that you do that may have become a hindrance because it is so automatic?