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The Power of Holding No Opinion: A Valuable Skill for Pilots

As aviation professionals, we’ve all experienced moments where we feel upset or stressed about things that are out of our control. Whether it’s a delayed flight, a difficult passenger, or unexpected weather conditions, these external factors can really mess with our state of mind and affect our performance.

But what if I told you that there’s a way to not let these things get to you? What if I told you that you have the power to hold no opinion about them, and to not let them upset your state of mind?

This idea comes from Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor and philosopher who wrote in his book “Meditations” that;

“We have the power to hold no opinion about a thing and to not let it upset our state of mind—for things have no natural power to shape our judgments.”

In simpler terms, this means that we don’t have to have an opinion about everything that happens to us. We don’t have to let external events dictate our internal state of mind. And as pilots, this is especially important because we need to stay calm and focused in high-pressure situations.

So, here’s an exercise for you to try. Think about all the upsetting things that you don’t know about. Maybe there’s a passenger on your flight who’s complaining about you to their friends, or maybe there’s a mistake in your flight plan that you haven’t caught yet. Whatever it is, you don’t know about it yet.

What’s your reaction? Most likely, you don’t have one. Because you don’t know about it, it doesn’t affect you. And that’s the power of holding no opinion.

Of course, we can’t simply ignore everything that happens to us. As pilots, we need to be aware of our surroundings and be prepared for any situation that might arise. However, we also don’t need to let every little thing get under our skin.

According to Captain John Kavanagh, a former airline pilot with 30 years of experience, the ability to hold no opinion is a valuable skill for pilots to have. In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, he said,

“Pilots need to be calm and in control, no matter what happens. Holding no opinion about something that’s outside of your control can help you stay focused on what you can control, and make better decisions in the moment.”

It’s also important to note that holding no opinion doesn’t mean ignoring problems or being indifferent to the world around us. As Captain Kavanagh points out,

“It’s about being able to separate what you can control from what you can’t, and not letting the things you can’t control affect your state of mind.”

By practicing the ability to hold no opinion, we can become better equipped to handle the stresses of our job and our personal lives. We can learn to let go of the things that don’t matter, and focus our energy on the things that do. It’s a skill that takes practice, but the benefits are worth it.

So, the next time you’re faced with something that’s outside of your control, try practicing the ability of having absolutely no thoughts about it. Act as if you had no idea it ever occurred. Or that you’ve never heard of it before. Let it become irrelevant or nonexistent to you. With time and practice, you’ll find that it becomes easier to stay calm and focused, even in the most trying of circumstances.

Now, this doesn’t mean that you should become indifferent to the world around you. It simply means that you should be selective about what you allow to affect your state of mind. Focus on the things that matter, and let the rest fall away.

As pilots, we have a responsibility not only to ourselves, but to our passengers and crew, to stay calm and in control at all times. By practicing the skill of holding no opinion, we can create a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone on board.

In addition, the ability to hold no opinion can also have a positive impact on our personal lives. It can help us to avoid unnecessary stress and conflict, and to focus on the things that truly matter. As pilots, we often have to balance our work and personal lives, and the ability to let go of things that don’t matter can be a valuable tool in achieving that balance.

So, give it a try, both in the cockpit and in your personal life. See how it works for you, and make it a habit. With time and practice, you’ll find that it becomes easier to stay calm and focused, even in the most trying of circumstances.

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