I refer my talking to myself as 'becoming aware' of what I am really doing.
A very wise old pilot & A&P mechanic was relating tales about crossed controls.
Cut to the chase, years later, I was the only pilot for the company C-310 Q. Being an A&P I did a lot of the routine maintenance myself but always in my pre-taking the runway for take off checks, when coming to the controls free & clear, I stop and say under my breath, yes they are moving, but are they moving the right direction.
Sometimes people that were with me would ask what I was doing.
"Making sure I am awake."
and I sit for a few more seconds, so they ask about that.
"Thinking about what I am going to do when the engine/s quit when we get to that crossing runway and if I get past that place, what I'm going to do when I am even with the control tower."
They usually stop asking questions after that. Can do a lot by being truthful.
A plan in my pocket is better than being surprised because I, as said up thread, let the airplane get ahead of my mind. Best to avoid that condition.