How do you stop yourself from going into "auto mode"?

[n4rf]

Sometimes I find myself doing things automatically and not taking the time to stop and think. How do you guys stop yourself from doing this? Most of the time I'm trying to play solid, but sometimes my mind just wanders and I find myself in "auto mode"

[dawade]

Sounds dumb but this is probably the reason I am still playing micro limits and have been for over a year.

Just talk your hands out outloud or if you have a roommate or someone who is midly interested in poker get them to watch and ask them to explain why you're doing what you're doing.

[kaz2107]

play less tables and force urself to explain WHY u r doin EVERYTHING that u do. that is all that matters

[billip62]

try to work a routine into playing hands. I use something like this:
1)what's the action to me?
2)what are the villian's stacks?
3)what do I know about the villians? (ie stats etc)
4)what do I have?
5)what's the best play?

if you just jump to step 5 it's too easy to jump the gun. I find this extra 1/2 second to run through those question really helpful... eventually it'll all be part of 'auto mode'