Use With Care: “I Know!”

As we progress in the mastery of any skill or subject, the natural human experience shifts  from “learning” to “knowing.” As we gain experience, familiarity, and knowledge, we gradually lose the excitement of the learning process, and the world becomes more “predictable,” at least in our minds. In most piloting situations, the role of “beginner” is not desirable, and most “surprises” are not welcome guests either. We are most comfortable in the world of “competency” with familiar, manageable challenges. Most pilots are seeking mastery or even excellence and may occasionally use the phrase “I know!” Confidence is obviously important (within reason) but even the “I know mindset” has serious limitations we all should be aware of and handle with care.

Every pilot wants to wear – or at least earn – that “50 mission jacket” we see in the “Right Stuff!”) This comes from mastering challenging experiences. But as much as we crave the comfort and pride of achievement,  every added experience can eliminate the adventure of learning we also crave. (Why most great educators are also passionate learners). We can eventually end up “in the harness” or “pulling the sled” in any habitual activity while engaged in the “daily grind.” If only there were an artful combination of both ends of those human experiences of mastery vs. learning – standby for that!

As experience builds, we gain familiarity with each new skill or process; this is neurological. Those new nerve pathways become habits which are stored like books on a shelf, ready for action, largely by our subconscious. Our autonomic systems then largely carry the weight of “reaction and execution,” and in a perfect world, we monitor all this with higher-level metacognition. Associated with this new competence is also a certain amount of pride in this new earned mastery, the ability to function smoothly rather than being the blundering idiot.

But the bland taste in your mouth, the eventual boredom, is from the lack of challenge and adventure that comes from that familiarity. Inevitably, every experience ratio shifts gradually to less satisfying, often mindless, “rinse and repeat,” unless we apply careful, intentional mental reframing. The natural process is a psychological phenomenon called the “hedonic treadmill.” Everything exotic and exciting at first exposure becomes normalized and boring in time. Adaptation and familiarity are a gift in some ways – “surprises” in flying are usually not good things – but there is also very grave (but invisible) danger in mentally stereotyping experiences. Every new experience is really unique and hides challenges and risks we may never see unless we are careful to fully experience every new moment.

The important question to ask ourselves is: “Am I actually flying a “new hour” – truly alive and aware – or am I “replaying” a mentally stereotyped hour again without really seeing it for all its unique characteristics? As humans we continually project “predictive perception” upon a changing world to make it familiar. This is the part of “I know” that can be incredibly dangerous. And this points to the necessity of “beginner’s mind,” seeing every moment with “fresh eyes” and no imposed assumptions.  That is the essential message of this brief YouTube clip I pulled from Michael Maya Charles’ channel (recommended full video here).

“Saying I know shuts the door to curiosity and learning.”  It leads to complacency and a certain amount of illusion as to what is actually occurring in front of us. To be safe, and truly artful, in our flying we need to nurture that skill of beginner’s mind; intentionally seeing every flight as the unique challenge that it really is – while aiming for perfection. This mental shift also restores the original enjoyment and challenge – while simultaneously enhancing the safety. When we fly too deeply emeshed in habits without “Eyes Wide Open,” we miss most of the real risks and challenges; “sleepwalking?” Build your awareness with “Beginner’s Mind!”

According to safety research, including Dr. Mica Endsley’s studies, over 76% of aviation accidents are due to this failure to perceive risk. Without consciously elevating awareness— such as moving to a higher “Code Yellow” mental state or engaging “beginner’s mind” — pilots and operators are prone to miss critical cues and changes in their environment. (SAFE DPE-Bot)*

You have an amazing opportunity to hear Cpt. Michael Maya Charles (Author of Artful Flying) presenting at Airventure this year. SAFE is pleased to host him at our SAFE dinner on Thursday, July 24th: 5-8pm in the Pilot Resource Center (PRC) at OSH. You do not have to be a SAFE member to attend, but grab a ticket before they are all gone. (Catered dinner/limited seating). Join us at the show and fly safely!