This might seem like an odd question. We might think that everything that we undertake is highly intentional. We set our alarms; we get up; we get ready for work; we drive to work; we do our jobs, etc. But how much of our lives do we actually live on “autopilot?” It’s probably more than we realize.

Our brains are amazing! And increasingly there is more research proving just how complex and intricate they are. The list of activities that I just mentioned can be largely performed by the instinctive, habit-forming part of our brains. Once we have repeated an activity enough, our brain’s “autopilot” function kicks in and we are able to perform these functions with little use of our highly-developed pre-frontal cortex, that is, the thinking and uniquely human part of our brains.

Have you ever driven from point A to point B and wondered how you actually got there? You were listening to a song or thinking of something else (hopefully not texting), but you weren’t focusing on your driving. It’s that instinctive part of the brain that got you to your destination.

Why even mention this? Because, too often our work activities and our interactions with others are automatic and reactive. To do our best work, we must be very intentional and engage our pre-frontal cortex, the executive functioning part of our brains. This is where clear, calm, reasoned, creative work and thinking are done.

So what are some examples of intentionality versus reactivity at work?

1. A calm and thoughtful response, one with reasoned thinking, to an employee or peer who made a comment that really upset you, versus snapping at them in anger.
2. Carefully reviewing paperwork or documents with deliberate thought, versus glancing over them in a careless rush.
3. Listening attentively while on the phone with someone, versus perusing through and maybe even responding to emails at the same time. (The concept of so-called “multi-tasking” could be the topic of another newsletter.)
4. Purposefully engaging someone that you need to speak with versus avoiding them simply because you fear their response or disapproval.

The latter portion of points 2 and 3 are attempts at saving time. I get that. But what is the ultimate, long-term outcome of those behaviors?

Our best work, our best professional interactions, will require our full, undivided, intentional attention. So, take some deep breaths (seriously), get oxygen to your pre-frontal cortex and get intentional!