The Cost of Autopilot: What Are We Missing While We're Busy?
Yesterday, as I sat in Mass listening to the priest reflect on Isaiah 25:6–10, Philippians 4:12–14 and 19–20, and Matthew 22:1–14, I found myself thinking about something we frequently discuss in performance psychology: autopilot.
In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of a king who prepares a wedding banquet for his son. Yet those invited refuse to attend. Some simply return to their farms and businesses, choosing their daily responsibilities over the invitation before them. The parable carries a much deeper message about responding to God's invitation, but I kept coming back to those individuals who were too occupied with their own lives to recognize what they were turning away from.
How often do we do the same thing?
We wake up, go to work, take care of our families, manage responsibilities, and prepare for tomorrow. Before long, our routines become so familiar that we move through them without giving much thought to what we might be missing.
When autopilot Distracts Us From Being Present
In performance psychology, we often discuss the value of developing automaticity through repetition and practice. However, there is a difference between executing a well-learned skill automatically and operating on autopilot without recognizing important information in our environment. An athlete may continue using the same approach despite changes in the game. A leader may become so focused on completing the mission that they overlook what their people need. They're working, making decisions, and accomplishing tasks, but their attention is no longer directed toward what matters most.
As I thought about yesterday's Gospel, I was also reminded of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38–42. Martha was busy preparing and serving while Mary sat listening to Jesus. Frustrated, Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Instead, Jesus reminded Martha that she was worried and distracted by many things, while Mary had chosen the better part. What strikes me about this passage is that Martha was doing something good. She was serving Jesus. Yet she had become so consumed with the responsibilities of serving Him that she was distracted from being present with Him.
I wonder how often I find myself in that same position.
Between growing a business, serving others, preparing programs, and managing family responsibilities, there's always something that needs to be accomplished. These responsibilities matter to me, but I have to wonder whether I sometimes become so focused on what I'm doing that I fail to recognize what God might be asking of me.
Recognizing What Matters
Paul's message in Philippians also stood out to me. He speaks about learning to find contentment through Christ in both abundance and need. Meanwhile, Isaiah describes the extraordinary feast God has prepared for His people. Together, these passages remind me that fulfillment isn't simply found in accomplishing more. There is something greater being offered to us.
One of the things I teach through mindfulness is recognizing when our attention has drifted and intentionally returning it to what matters. We cannot expect to remain attentive every moment, but we can become better at noticing when we've lost our focus. Perhaps I need to practice that same awareness more intentionally in my spiritual life. I spend considerable time helping others become more present, recognize distractions, and respond intentionally rather than automatically. Yet I am equally capable of becoming so occupied with my own responsibilities that I overlook opportunities for prayer, gratitude, or simply listening.
Today's readings left me with a question that I think deserves more than a passing thought: How often am I so busy trying to accomplish what I believe God has called me to do that I forget to spend time with the God who called me?
I don't think the answer is simply doing less. Sometimes our responsibilities require considerable attention and effort. But perhaps we need to become more intentional about recognizing when our busyness is preventing us from seeing what matters.
After all, we can accomplish everything on our schedule and still miss the most important invitation of the day.
Scripture: Isaiah 25:6–10; Philippians 4:12–14, 19–20; Matthew 22:1–14; Luke 10:38–42.
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