Inspect the Uninspected

We all operate with basic assumptions and have autopilot moments in our daily routine. While this generally helps to save us time and mental space, every so often it can restrain us from seeing new solutions to a previously solved task. If you are finding limited improvements when trying to do something differently, try assessing preexisting habits and how they may interfere with your goals. Through this exercise, you can begin to inspect the uninspected and discover problems or solutions you didn’t realize were there.

Story time

In addition to being a life coach, I am a doctor of physical therapy. I frequently work with people who are in pain and attempting to improve their function and quality of life. A story that sticks with me is a man recovering from a shoulder surgery. He continued to aggravate his shoulder every morning when dressing as he tried to thread his belt through the beltloops. He would brace for it, “work through the pain,” and was pleased he could now dress without needing help (independence is a key feature to feeling like your “old self”). Hearing this story, I asked if he considered lacing the belt *prior* to pulling on his trousers. He retorted with a mixture of emotions: eureka! A better way; embarrassment at not thinking of it before; relief to be able to avoid pain.

This example illustrates that not every change needs to be drastic. Belt before pants is a simple switch, but one that few might actually take the time to consider. There may be precisely this type of uninspected behavior that could be a keystone for swaying your success. Learn to include this piece in your planning phases. Consider what assumptions or autopilot behaviors may be undermining your efforts. What “insignificant”, uninspected things could we alter to better serve our purpose? Whether you take moments throughout your day to assess uninspected tasks or seek an outside view—like with a life coach—to find possible blind spots, you may be surprised how things may shift when you begin to inspect the uninspected and adjust accordingly.