Stop Living on Autopilot — How to Design a Life You Actually Want | Michael Faulkner

takeaways

1. Michael Faulkner describes how aviation developed 'human factors' training that breaks human performance under stress into processes, checklists and levers, noting that in high-stress moments the body asks 'am I safe?' rather than 'what should I do?'

2. A three-step technique is discussed: notice and name the emotion (using breathing), then ask the truth of the situation, which reveals more choices than the immediate stress response suggests.

3. The conversation covers how the vagus nerve and vagal tone relate to stress, and how many people walk around in low-level stress because they stay 'stuck' rather than completing the stress cycle.

4. Coaching is discussed as something that should be time-bound, future-focused, with clear goals and psychological safety that involves both support and challenge — not just a good conversation.

5. Limiting beliefs are framed as embodied 'scripts' that coaching can help challenge and rewrite by verbalising self-talk and finding new evidence.

6. Moxie is described as a 90-day life design system combining science, soul and system, with four steps: the Moxie Index self-assessment, the Moxie Circle (AI and human coaching), resets in London or Ibiza, and a Dream It / Ditch It / Do It journey.

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