Default Settings In Life?

 

All along, we always hear DEFAULT SETTINGS for our windows device, IOS or Android smartphones BUT how about our DEFAULT SETTINGS in our life?  True, all of technology has its settings including our internet browser, the fridge and even the vacuum's default brush.  In short, many of us DON'T change the defaults or our tech, so they stay that way for a long time.  So, do we humans also have our own DEFAULT SETTINGS?  In essence, yes we do.  As for myself, my DEFAULT SETTINGS are my repeated behaviors and beliefs📗📙📘

WHEN I do something by default, I do it WITHOUT even thinking about it, AS IF I am on autopilot.  WHICH brings me to the next question.  WHY would I be on autopilot?  YES, being on autopilot makes me more efficient.  In technology, DEFAULT SETTINGS ensure that new users get value right away WHEN using a new product for the first time.  And just like there in the technology space, the DEFAULT SETTINGS in our life can be that incredibly useful.  And WHEN a repeated action becomes second nature, I can finish it without even having to think about it.  Especially in my daily commute, I am essentially on autopilot📌📌📌

Question is, in life, WHERE do these DEFAULT SETTINGS come from?  YES, I realized that this differentiates us humans from technology because we are born with NO DEFAULT SETTINGS.  Instead, our first defaults are set by our parents.  WHEN I was little, my parents looked after me and ensured that all of my needs were met so I could explore and grow.  And as a kid, I had NO important life decisions to make, although at times, it DIDN'T necessarily felt that way.  All decisions, WHERE I lived, WHAT school I'll go to, WHERE I travelled, were made for me in its entirety.  And as we matured, we then became more independent, going out into this world on our own and our family, friends, neighbors, teachers and people we meet start to determine WHAT kind of human I am becoming💥💥💥

Unconsciously then, we gradually adopt to those new-found DEFAULTS.  WHICH reminds me of a concept in psychology called GROUP IDENTITY which states that the group we identify with influences our personal goals and even actions.  The similarities and common interests within a group create stronger bonds and make it easier for members to relate to each other.  Heard of that old cliche:  TELL ME WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE AND I'LL TELL YOU WHO YOU ARE.  BUT let's NOT take this literally though.  BTW, even our surroundings do influence our ideas, our DEFAULT SETTINGS.  Like if we're asked to name a country, more likely it's a country we've been to, heard of, OR read about it in the past.  In the end, it's a 'mash-up' of things💥💥💥

Our takeaway:  Verily true, a lot of life's DEFAULT SETTINGS are relevant and immediately useful BUT we should NOT and NEVER take things hook, line and sinker.  That's WHEN our maturity and evolving wisdom should come into play.  IF and WHEN you can get into an informed decision to OVERRIDE DEFAULT SETTINGS, go for it, make that OVERRIDE because we should NEVER live and breath via DEFAULT SETTINGS in its entirety😊😊😊