On Patterns and Shortcuts
The past two weeks have been unusually busy at work, and I've missed two MM sessions—for which I sincerely apologize. Coincidentally, the topic I had in mind two weeks ago played out again today, without any conscious design on my part.
As a right-handed person, I do most things with my right hand—brush my teeth, eat, shake hands, and all the expected things. But there’s one area I don’t fall in with the majority: how I wear a watch. Most people agree that your left wrist should don the watch, regardless of your dominant hand. However, I’ve found wearing a watch on the left uncomfortable ever since my first G-Shock in secondary school. Today—like last week—I tried again to wear my watch on the left, and my reward is this post.
Humans are wired for efficiency. We’re trained to focus on broad strokes and catch the gist. It’s why you’re probably skimming this article and maybe missed the last line in the previous paragraph—were I said “last week” instead of “two weeks ago.” Or that I typed were instead of where. In seeking the fastest way, we overlook subtle details and let our brains autopilot us through life.
The thing with autopilot is that aside from missing key details, a small deviation can throw us off and cause mistakes. Wearing my watch on the left felt so strange, I had to focus to drive. Not because I’m a novice—but because it felt like my left and right hand had swapped roles. I drive a manual truck, so knowing where my right hand is is kinda important.
Whether it’s driving, walking, prepping a report for the thousandth time, or handling yet another customer call, we all slip into patterns in familiar territory. Humans are wired for efficiency. That wiring for efficiency mostly serves us—but it can cost us if we don’t pause to consciously engage with our work. True productivity isn’t just about efficiency. It requires effectiveness—and that often begins by asking: “Why am I doing it this way?”
This week:
1. Explore moments where you can pause and ask that question.
2. Share with me the most recent time you caught yourself on autopilot.