10 Truths About Stress for Aviation Professionals

The aircraft maintenance and engineering department is stressful. You know it, I know it, we all know it.

Billions of dollars have been invested into new software and now what?

You have access to better probability distributions, decision analysis, and forecasting through time series and smoothing methods. Or maybe you have better linear programming applications for financial planning and production scheduling.

And if that wasn't enough you now have inventory models through economic order quantity and inventory simulation.

But what does this all mean?

It still means that you have to rely on a human at the other end of the world to do something you can't.

This may be the supply of an aircraft part stored in Florida, a fresh test cell for your CFM56 in Europe, or the ferry transport of your B747-400 to Asia.

You see no matter what programs are available, humans are still at the forefront of every decision.

And this is when the problems occur (software isn't perfect either).

With all of the noise happening around you, plans change things happen and contingency plans are inevitable. During these times the term stress is an understatement.

The 10 Truths About Stress

Stress is bad news.

I know exactly how it feels and one thing I've promised to myself is to make sure that I control it at ALL times. As an aviation professional have you made the same promise to yourself?

Here are 10 truths about stress you may not have known:

1. Stress has been called “the silent killer” and can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pain, and an irregular heartbeat.
2. Stress is linked to the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, liver cirrhosis, and suicide.
3. Chronic stress floods the brain with powerful hormones that are meant for short-term emergency situations. Chronic exposure can damage, shrink, and kill brain cells.
4. Stress makes the blood “stickier,” in preparation for an injury. Such a reaction, however, also increases the probability of developing a blood clot.
5. Chronic stress increases cytokines, which produce inflammation. Exposure to constant inflammation can damage arteries and other organs.
6. Chronic stress worsens irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that irritates the large intestine and causes constipation, cramping, and bloating.
7. Chronic stress decreases the body’s immune system’s response to infection and can affect a person’s response to immunizations.
8. Stress can result in more headaches as a result of the body rerouting blood flow to other parts of the body.
9. The hyper-arousal of the body’s stress response system can lead to chronic insomnia.
10. When cells shrink due to exposure to stress hormones, they disconnect from each other, which contributes to depression.

*Reference

With all you know now, is stress worth it? Not a chance.

But you're human and it's inevitable. Life and work pressures will always push your limit. You must be proactive and regulate how much you let it affect you.

Aviation professionals need to manage their stress

The primary reason to manage stress is for your health. Let's just get that clear. This is the single most important reason you should get it under control.

But there's more to stress than just your health. When you're highly stressed you're more likely to make mistakes. [TWEET THIS]

Maybe it's purchasing a wrong part or forgetting to follow-up with a vendor. Whatever it is, you have a much greater chance of screwing up then when you're level headed.

[dropshadowbox align="none" effect="lifted-both" width="autopx" height="" background_color="#f09825" border_width="1" border_color="#dddddd" ]Stress also makes you tired and your energy level sinks. This not only affects your productivity but you become a tyrant to work with.[/dropshadowbox]

When you sit back in your chair, really think hard. Think about when you're stressed and your energy level drops. How much does the lower productivity and mistakes cost?

Whatever the number is, it's still greater than if you were thinking clearly.

As an aviation professional stress is an epidemic. Did you know pilots are rated with having one of the most stressful jobs in the world?

In my opinion. I think many aviation maintenance and engineering departments have one of the most stressful jobs in the world.

Wouldn't you agree?

The point here is to manage your stress. You'll not only be more productive and increase the bottom line, you'll also be a healthier you.

As an aviation professional are you stressed? Comment below.

What A Small Burger Joint Can Teach Aviation Professionals

I’m just going to throw this out there and you tell me if I’m wrong. Good customer service in the aviation world is often times…nonexistent.

Most companies worry about the sale and couldn't care less about your needs, wants, stresses or the 1,000 other things you have going on.

Don’t get me wrong sales is still important, otherwise how would anyone survive? Too much attention goes into the sale and not enough focus on the human behind the purchase.

You know what I’m talking about don’t you?

Well, I love great customer service and I’m sure you’re no different.

My burger joint experience

Just recently I decided to try a new local restaurant called BurgerFi.

It’s a nice little restaurant where the atmosphere is casual and the air smells like grease. Yum!

But of course eating like this is on occasion, right?

I go up to the counter and order 3 traditional burgers (of course not all of them are for me) and proceed to pay. They give me a gadget that vibrates when your meal is ready and we go sit down.

About 10 minutes later the little gadget still hasn't gone off. This is annoying and way too long for 3 simple burgers.

I go to the register and see my order sitting on the counter. Visibly frustrated I direct my attention to the manager. I told him that their little gadget didn't go off and there's only 2 burgers on the tray and I ordered 3.

I pull out the receipt to show him that as a customer I’m always right. But only 2 burgers were on the ticket. Yikes! Now at this point he probably thinks I’m full of you know what but I told him ordered 3. There must have been a miscommunication.

Obviously, right?

He said he’ll take care of it and had another burger tossed on the grill. I went to the register to pay and not shortly after he handed me the missing burger.

He said not to worry about paying. The burger was on the house.

Now, you may be thinking it’s only a $4.49 burger but it's MUCH more than that.

Regardless if I was lying or not he was willing to listen to his customer and make things right.

By this simple, low cost gesture he acquired a lifelong customer / advocate (as long as they don’t ruin it).

Lesson to be learned

You see, the story above isn't about how I got a burger for free. It’s about how great this small burger joint, BurgerFi made me feel.

In that moment I felt special, cared about and genuinely appreciated.

As aviation professionals, many of whom you deal with go about their day, they often forget that it’s the small things that matter most to you.

Now, it may be nice but you're not looking to be given a $25,000 actuator to “make things right.” But you would appreciate someone who cares about you as a person. Someone who listens, takes notes and makes things right.

I know this because I’m that person as well.

If we can learn one thing from my friends at BurgerFi, it’s to make people who you work with feel special, because they are.

If you’re dealing with someone who doesn't care, fire them.

You deserve a cooperative relationship so don’t settle for less.

Have you had a positive customer service experience? Comment below. It doesn't have to be an aviation experience.

6 Ways To Reduce Stress Without Leaving Your Desk

Your face begins to get red, steam is coming out of your head and you feel as though you're going to explode. Sound familiar?

Well, you're not alone. My head steams, I get red and I feel like I’m going to explode on a frequent basis.

But I’m going to be honest, this is never a good feeling.

You live and breathe the aviation world and stress is going to be a frequent inhabitant in your life. Stress isn't always a bad thing but once it gets out of control in can end a good day fast.

So I want to share a few little secrets with you. These secrets are what I do to reduce stress and the best part is, I don’t have to leave my desk.

In this crazy world we call aviation, you should try anything to limit the stress you encounter.

Am I right?

 6 ways to reduce stress without leaving your desk

1) Get a live plant - By putting a couple live plants in your office you’ll create a soothing atmosphere that reduces airborne mold and bacteria by 50-60%. An increase in your comfort level means a decrease in your stress levels.

2) Infinity method - With your finger draw an infinity sign. This is a figure eight on its side. Make sure to draw it big and to continue this motion. As you draw, follow the path with your eyes. By doing this you force your brain to switch between left and right side thinking. This type of analytical switch disrupts focus and reduces stress.

 3) Reach for the sky - While sitting in your chair clasp your hands together. Then reach for the sky as high as you can. Once you feel the stretch and slight backwards bend in your spine, lean left and then lean right. This little tip opens up your entire upper torso. What a relief.

4) Breathe - Breathing is a great way to reduce stress. Breathe in through your nose, feel your diaphragm expand, count to 5 and release through your mouth. As you release, feel your diaphragm begin to cave. Count to 5 on the exhale. Repeat 10 times. Close your eyes if that relaxes you even more.

5) Sit on a stability ball - This little technique makes you focus on your posture which allows for better blood flow. Once you begin to hunch, you restrict your blood flow making you tired, grumpy and on edge. See me on my stability ball by clicking here.

6) Get a stress ball or desk punching bag - Get yourself a stress ball or if you really feel up for it, get a desk punching bag. Although violence isn’t acceptable these are GREAT tools to relieve stress.

That's it. If you use any of these tips you’ll feel much better when your stress level begins to rise.

Start being proactive and reduce your stress before it gets out of control.

Do you have trouble dealing with stress? Comment below.

A Simpler Way to Improve Your Procurement Process

Do you often feel like a ton of bricks is piled on your shoulders, or do you miss deadlines? Maybe you just forget something important or people have to chase you to get work done?

Whether you have 10 open purchase orders or a 100, finding the time to manage them can be difficult.

If you only focused on following up with your orders that would be great. But more than likely that isn't the case. Your procurement process and aircraft maintenance planning usually pulls you in many directions.

Does This Sound Like You?

You wake up and get to the office. Once you arrive you have 5 issues that occurred unexpectedly and you need to take care of them. In the middle of you trying to figure out those issues your engineering department said they found a faulty harness wire and an AOG purchase was an immediate request. You find the harness wire and submit the PO.

If you're lucky it's to a trusted vendor but if not you find out 3 hours later the new vendor can't supply the harness you just bought. You now have to start all over again.

This may not be exactly the situation you run in to but the concept is the same. You have specific tasks you need to accomplish but are always interrupted by urgent requests throughout the day.

So how do you manage your aircraft maintenance planning process for the tasks that aren't urgent but important?

It's simpler than you think.

Meet The Daily To-Do List

A To-Do list is a simple tool you can use to organize your day more efficiently.

It can be as simple as listing all of your tasks, starting with the most important at the top. Then you just work down the list. Or you can schedule your tasks and block out time just for that task.

Your To-Do list is a critical component to beating work overload. It will increase your productivity and decrease your stress. Now who wouldn't want more of that?

The key is to prepare your To-Do list and manage your time more effectively. You can do this manually or by using a software program.

Currently, I use Nozbe for all of my planning.

I've used almost every To-Do software under the sun and this syncs with all my other programs like Evernote and Google Calendar.

Trello is also a good option.

A Couple More Tips to Aircraft Maintenance Planning Success

Creating a To-Do list is such a simple tool, but it doesn't end there.

Every night plan on what you have to do the next day. Right down all your tasks and organize them appropriately. You will always be adding tasks throughout the day but the end of day prep will best prepare you for the next day.

The next tip is to review your To-Do list every morning. This simple act will prepare you mentally for the next day. You'll know exactly what you have going on and what's important and what's not.

You'll get into work feeling organized and ready to tackle what the day has to bring.

We all know aircraft maintenance planning and the procurement process can never be planned 100%. The key is to structure your life and work so you know what you have going on and can deal with unexpected urgency without being overwhelmed.

The To-Do list will reduce your stress and create clarity in a world of constant change.

P.S. Email me to chat about what I do to organize my days.

Stress In Aviation And How To Control It

You sit in your office anxious, nervous with a feeling in your stomach you cannot describe. Some days it's extreme and other days it just keeps you up at night.

You self diagnose yourself and think, "I'm only stressed. I have a lot on my plate right now."

Does this sound familiar?

I come across many people just like you, and me for that matter. We can be constantly stressed.

It's understandable you have a lot to deal with. Not to mention stress resulting from an unexpected issue that arose from nowhere.

But, this is life and it happens every day, in all industries. We're not subject to this just because we are in aviation.

It's how we control stress that can make us better at what we do and happier in all aspects of our life.

I have a few ways that I control stress that I would like to share with you, but let's first take a look at how stress effects us.

Effects Of Stress

According to the American Psychological Association, 77% of people whom are stressed report physical symptoms. Another 48% claim that their stress level negatively affects them, both personally and professionally.

Stress not only affects you at work but it begins to affect you in all aspects of your life.

You will begin to feel lazy because you're both mentally and physically tired. Once you're tired problems start to arise, you will begin to make the wrong decision and poor judgment will ensue.

Simply put, stress wreaks havoc both mentally and physically so avoid it.

How To Control Stress

No matter how hard it seems, your stress can be controlled.

I know, I know, it doesn't seem like it at times but I promise you can control it.

Here are a few tips I use that have helped me control my stress levels substantially.

1) Practice relaxation techniques - Whether its deep breathing, yoga, meditation or all three, relaxing your mind and body is well worth the time.

2) Say "no" - It's okay to say no. You can't always meet people's expectations and demands. Saying no will give you the opportunity to work on important stuff and still have time for yourself.

3) Set realistic goals - Without having goals how are you supposed to stay focused and on task? You can't, so begin creating SMART goals that will help you focus on the important things in your life, work included.

4) Create a to-do list - By creating a to-do list you'll be able to see what's important and what's not. Delete the non-important stuff or delegate to someone who it would be more important to. Read more about organizing your to-do list here.

5) Write all thoughts down before bed - Any thoughts that are racing through your mind before bed, write it down. You'll get these thoughts out of your head, onto paper and you can think more about it in the morning. This allows your head to clear and your mind to relax, making for a better sleep.

6) Eat right - Nutrition plays an instrumental part of how stress can affect your life. It's just like an aircraft, if you feed it the wrong stuff it'll perform poorly or end up crashing.

7) Get moving - Fitness also plays an important role in how you manage stress. By moving and getting your heart going you get blood to all the right places. If your aircraft is stored for a prolonged time what happens? Enough said.

Being able to control stress is easy, it's just a matter of making the right decisions in your favor. Utilize the tips above and you'll be a better, less stressed you.

P.S. We can be your partner and help mitigate your stress levels. Contact us today and we'll tell you how.

What side effects do you have resulting from stress? Comment below.

One Time Saving Strategy You Should Adopt Today

No matter what you do, or how much time is in the day, your time is valuable. This is a fact, but it's how we manage and organize our time that makes a world of a difference.

Michael Hyatt says it best:

"You can either live on-purpose, according to a plan you’ve set. Or you can live by accident, reacting to the demands of others. The first approach is proactive; the second reactive."

I'm sure you can imagine this all too often scenario.

You get to the office and you have 5 tasks that need to be completed. Each task has a different purpose (i.e. purchasing, operations, quality control, vendor relations and general). Focusing on all of these at once stretches you thin and leads to unmanageable stress.

You can't give focus to all with 100% effort.

This is where the preferred calendar is your new best friend.

Preferred Calendar

The preferred calendar is a simple concept where if you could control your day 100%, this is what it would look like.

Each day has a theme and is further segmented by focus areas.

In the sheet embedded above, the themes are on the top row:

Everyday I'm focusing on a specific purpose. What am I trying to get out of my day? One day it will be business development, where I chat with clients and strategic alliances more than I would on other days. The next day I will focus on creating content with our team, such as this article.

My focus areas are listed in the left-most column:

• In the mornings I focus on myself by stretching, writing and having a cup of coffee. This is my morning ritual and prepares me for the day ahead.
• The middle of the day is reserved for work, although I'm available for most business calls 24/7. Yes, this breaks the "preferred calendar" law but I have an outline of what my day should look like.
• The end of the day I dedicate to personal time and writing. I feel this is a great time to workout as it helps get the kinks out of your neck from a long day at the office.

Activities in green contribute to my goals and priorities while red are not related to my goals. White can be either and grey is simply not scheduled.

To use this tool, make sure to map out your own ideal week. You can either download my excel spreadsheet or start from scratch.

By creating you preferred calendar you set your time up to be the most productive in areas that are important to you. By focusing on what's important, one by one, you will be much more productive and less stressed.

Create your own preferred calendar and let us know how it's working for you by commenting below.

Which Aircraft Was Used On The First Cross Atlantic Solo Flight?

Answer in the comment section below. First correct answer receives our Energy Drink and Energy Shot.

 

Which celebrity did we buy an L-1011 TriStar from in the late 90's?

  Answer in the comment section below. First correct answer receives $100 off next order.