Chapter 1: Embracing Discomfort

Learning to pilot an aircraft is a profound exercise in overcoming uncomfortable situations, often aided by external support. One crucial form of support is the checklist.

As aircraft technology advanced, the need for checklists became evident, serving as vital reminders for both routine and emergency procedures. From starting and shutting down a plane to handling emergencies, checklists encompass all essential actions. What begins with simpler training aircraft evolves into intricate systems for larger airplanes.

Pilots engage in training exercises to prepare for emergencies, effectively reducing the shock of unexpected situations. Similar to this, when faced with discomfort, a pilot relies on checklists to assess the situation and identify solutions. Knowing there’s a structured approach to follow can make challenging scenarios feel less daunting.

Pause and Reflect In my initial flight simulator training for a larger aircraft, my instructor advised me to take a moment to breathe and assess the situation before diving in. This "making a sandwich" approach resonated with me, emphasizing the importance of pausing to evaluate before acting. This strategy can be applied outside the simulator as well—sometimes, a short walk or a cup of coffee can provide clarity.

Skills build upon one another; once you master smaller aircraft and their checklists, you can tackle more complex challenges. Previous experiences in various life domains can help your mind grasp new processes, such as writing for an audience.

Finding Your Starting Point While a personal checklist may not address every situation, it can provide an external perspective to help navigate uncertainty. Just as airplanes are designed with a degree of instability to facilitate movement, we too are created to evolve and adapt throughout life. Taking that initial step often illuminates the next path to follow.

In aviation, checklists and acronyms are commonplace. For instance, the FAA provides pilots with a self-assessment checklist:

• Illness — Am I feeling unwell?
• Medication — Am I taking any medications?
• Stress — Am I experiencing psychological pressures?
• Alcohol — Have I consumed alcohol in the last eight hours?
• Fatigue — Am I well-rested?
• Emotion — Am I feeling emotionally unstable?

This simple checklist serves as a reminder that external stressors can influence our decision-making, even in mundane life situations.

Breaking larger challenges into manageable tasks allows for progress toward goals. Confidence gained from familiar scenarios can be transferred to new skills by dissecting them into recognizable processes.

Taking Action In flight, if a system malfunctions, a pilot may need to isolate the issue by pulling a circuit breaker. While life isn’t as straightforward as pulling a switch, sometimes removing distractions is essential.

For me, simplifying daily tasks has made a significant difference. My everyday checklist includes:

• Keeping quick and healthy snacks readily available to stay focused.
• Spending time outdoors for exercise, which recharges my mind.
• Batching errands to maintain activity, even in inclement weather.
• Listening to my body and mind to manage what can realistically be accomplished.
• Scheduling check-in calls for accountability as I adapt to this new framework.

Establishing a structure for daily life helps mitigate challenges, though it’s not foolproof. As I embark on the writing journey, I recognize the need for a framework to guide me.

My Writing Checklist: 1. Story ideas — Note-taking on my phone is vital for capturing thoughts. 2. Mind mapping — Jotting down everything related to the topic helps clarify ideas. 3. Outlining — I prefer pen and paper for outlines before transitioning to digital. 4. First draft — Focusing on getting words down with the understanding that it’s just the beginning. 5. Second draft — Refining the initial draft into a coherent narrative. 6. Editing — Aiming for no more than three revisions has helped manage my perfectionism. 7. Publishing — Ultimately, I must take the leap and share my work.

This preliminary checklist will evolve as I gain experience.

We are never truly alone in our journeys; there’s always someone who has traversed a similar path. The Wright brothers, for example, built on the foundational work of glider pioneers like Octave Chanute in their quest for powered flight.

In a similar vein, exploring the processes of other writers has sparked ideas on how to navigate my own writing journey.

In "Stepping out of your comfort zone," Dustin Levy discusses the importance of embracing discomfort and the growth that comes from it. This TEDx talk illustrates how stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to significant personal development.

The video "Motivation to help you LEAVE the COMFORT ZONE!!!" offers powerful insights on overcoming barriers to personal growth. It emphasizes the necessity of taking risks for achieving meaningful change in life.