Read time: 6 minutes.
This is your permission to pause and take a little time for yourself.

You can immediately picture the destination, but you probably recall very little of what you pass along the way.

That’s largely because your brain is built for efficiency. 

It constantly takes shortcuts to filter out familiar surroundings so it doesn’t waste valuable energy rediscovering the world each day, and while that’s useful, it comes at a price. Over time, we may start navigating relationships, challenges, and aspirations on autopilot, too.

The exciting part is that waking yourself back up to what’s going on around doesn't require cramming more in. It asks you to break the habit of familiarity, giving your attention an unfamiliar task that exercises its ability to rewire and adapt.

Tonight, try brushing your teeth using your non-dominant hand. You’ll have to focus more than you usually do. Your hand might wobble, your coordination might slow down, but your brain fires up circuits that have been on cruise control for years.

What other small tasks in your daily routine can you try doing differently?

When you change how you pay attention, the world begins to feel vivid and exciting again.

Love,
Jay ❤️

In this episode of On Purpose, I share five unconventional mental exercises to break out of autopilot and strengthen parts of your mind you rarely use. From mapping out an imaginary place and sitting in silence without distractions to mirror gazing, reverse journaling, and spotting patterns in everyday life, I explore how these simple practices can sharpen your imagination, self-awareness, and attention.

In Ask Jay, my newest format on On Purpose, I listen to voice notes from real listeners and help work through whatever is weighing on their minds. Is there something you’d want to share? I’d love to hear it.

Send your voice note to [email protected]. Tell me what’s on your heart.*

Remember, I’m in your corner today, tomorrow, and anytime you need a little permission to believe that everything is going to work out.