AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - June 2018 - 97

* Level of accountability (peer pressure,
schedule, community).
* Value.
Are you choosing a professionally
developed curriculum or planning to use
a variety of books and study guides? Do you
need the pressure of having a time-based
weekly program, or are you self-motivated
enough for home-based study? Whatever
you choose, consider these factors to maximize your chance of success.
3. LET YOURSELF BE A FLEXIBLE THINKER

Breaking out of a cycle of inaction or inactivity requires action. As an adult, it sometimes
is difficult to allow yourself to be a learner.
Brain research in decades past pointed to
brain development being completed in
stages of childhood and remaining relatively
fixed until death. However, in the late 1990s,
research began to show evidence of neural
plasticity, the idea that your brain isn't completely hard-wired. Through experience and
training, we can alter the brain's functioning,
forcing a cortical and neuronal rewiring.
Flexible thinking is key to getting out
of a holding pattern. Through practice you
will gain mastery. One achievement opens
up the belief that you can do more. Learn
from the best, let yourself make mistakes,
give yourself grace, and marvel how education can change your brain.
4. QUIET THE CRITIC

Most people's critic gets up in the morning before them and goes to sleep after they
do. It keeps a running commentary of everything you have done wrong all day. In order to
master something new, you will have to first
master your critic. This process must be quite
active. Simply trying to ignore the critic will
not work. Your brain and body cannot tell the
difference between anxiety and excitement.
The layer that makes that determination is
thought. The thoughts you have about your
journey will determine whether you perceive
worry or anticipation. Breaking out of the hold
requires inserting positivity into your thinking. If you make a mistake in training, 'fess up,
analyze what went wrong, and move on.

Many pilots stuck in
the hold are waiting
for the "right time"
to pursue their next
rating. They don't
realize that they can
make a decision based
on opportunity and
effort.
This adage rings true in pursuing your aviation goals. Instead of looking at obstacles as
a brick wall, look at them as a picket fence.
Develop the ability to look past the obstacle
and realize there is success on the other side.
Demonstrate sheer determination and
be willing to apply yourself in any situation
that will allow you to continue to build time,
complete training, and pursue advancement. Perseverance means striving for
excellence and guards against complacency.
6. UTILIZE COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Isolation is the enemy of exiting the hold.
In this digital age you would be remiss
not to use built-in aviation community
connections such as message boards,
online forums, type-specific websites, and
Facebook. Attend aviation events, large
and small. Network with old-timers, mentors, and instructors. Utilize the support of
friends and family.
It is possible to exit the holding pattern you have been flying. Acknowledge
that you have been stuck, use community
connections to decrease isolation, make
informed choices about resources, and be
determined to change your aviation future.
Look at obstacles merely as challenges to
overcome; in the end your flying will be
safer and more enjoyable and you will be
proud of your accomplishments.
AOPA
JOLIE LUCAS is a Mooney owner, licensed

5. EXHIBIT DETERMINATION

psychotherapist, and instrument-rated

Our greatest strength lies not in never having fallen, but in rising every time we fall.

pilot. She is an Opinion Leaders blogger
for AOPA (https://blog.aopa.org).

www.aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 97

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http://www.aopa.org/financemytraining https://blog.aopa.org http://www.aopa.org/pilot

AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - June 2018

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