Author: AP2

Hi! I'm AP2. Author, Aviator, Amazing father. Expert in stalling. I combine lessons in aviation with modern psychology to help people navigate life.
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Conscientiousness: The Ruthless Pursuit of Order

The Benefits of Conscientiousness Conscientiousness can be broken down into the following two aspects: Industriousness and Orderliness.  Those who score high in Industriousness are driven, focused and determined. They finish what they start. I’m sure you’ve all heard of the buzzword known as Grit? Well, it’s the same thing. Those high is Orderliness want everything to be in its place, every detail taken care of. … Continue reading Conscientiousness: The Ruthless Pursuit of Order

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Neuroticism: The Cost of Consciousness

The Cost of Consciousness Neuroticism is the trait associated with negative emotions. It can be broken down into the following two aspects: Volatility and Withdrawal.  Those high in withdrawal may be described as anxious, self-conscious, depressive and easily overwhelmed. Whereas those high in volatility may be described as touchy, irritable and unstable. In contrast, those low in both may be described as calm, happy, easy-going … Continue reading Neuroticism: The Cost of Consciousness

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Extraversion: The Price of Now

What Is Extraversion? Extraversion breaks down into the following two fundamental aspects: assertiveness and enthusiasm.  Those high in assertiveness are the take-charge types. The so-called natural-born leaders. The game-changing alphas. (It’s a valuable trait for a pilot, I might add.) Those high in enthusiasm are talkative and charismatic. They’re the life of the party. The ones who make friends with enviable ease. (Don’t you just love to … Continue reading Extraversion: The Price of Now

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Why Understanding Personality Is Key to Increasing Potential

I recently completed a course on personality theory that I found infinitely fascinating. Today I want to share some thoughts about how this understanding can help us better navigate in the world. You can think of personality as the lens through which we view the world. It functions by filtering the world so we only pay attention to certain things. This then influences the way … Continue reading Why Understanding Personality Is Key to Increasing Potential

AP229 Comments
person holding compass
Purpose, Self-awareness

Where We Are Meant To Be

We’re all looking for that Goldilocks position in life. That ultimate purpose specifically suited to our own unique talents and values. Of course, we want to maximise our potential to do the most possible good. This is why many of us have this gnawing sense that the job we’re in isn’t quite right. We feel like we are meant for something else, something more. I … Continue reading Where We Are Meant To Be

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Critical Thinking, Self-awareness

Fear-Setting: A powerful exercise for making major life decisions.

Beware fear disguised as optimism. “There’s no difference between a pessimist who says, ‘Oh, it’s hopeless, so don’t bother doing anything,’ and an optimist who says, ‘Don’t bother doing anything, it’s going to turn out fine any way.’ Either way, nothing happens.” — YVON CHOUINARD Most of us don’t call fear out for what it is. We often dress it up as something else. Many … Continue reading Fear-Setting: A powerful exercise for making major life decisions.

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Pointless Overthinking, Self-awareness

Why Being Wrong Is Right

If you think back to the Middle Ages and compare what we know now to what we thought we knew then, you’ll probably come to the conclusion that we weren’t terribly smart. That most of what we thought we knew about the world was patently wrong. It seems obvious to us now that the earth revolves around the sun (and not the other way around), … Continue reading Why Being Wrong Is Right

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Politics

Must We Not Fight for Peace?

“War would end if the dead could return.” — Stanley Baldwin. Just imagine you wake up the following morning to the sound of bombs exploding and artillery firing. The enemy has invaded. You didn’t think it would ever happen, but there you are. Suddenly you’ve been thrown back into the 1940s. Now, what do you do? Do you gather your most prized belongings and flee? Or do … Continue reading Must We Not Fight for Peace?

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Pointless Overthinking, Random Thoughts

The Two Paths to Wealth

I have two images of wealth in my mind.  One looks like what most people envision. A lavish lifestyle, a big plastic mansion, a luxury yacht, 8 sports cars… You get it. Then there is this second image. In this picture, there is a place called home. It’s quaint, rustic. Filled with messy, silly, somewhat annoying children. There are a lot of friends and family nearby. … Continue reading The Two Paths to Wealth

AP210 Comments
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Self-awareness

How To Gain a Clear Picture of Your Future Self

I haven’t been myself lately.  The unrelenting madness at work over the past couple of years has taken a toll. I decided I needed some time to clear the storm clouds that have gathered inside my mind. I realised I’d been too close to everything at work.  So, I called the doc and went on longterm stress leave. After a few weeks of playing with … Continue reading How To Gain a Clear Picture of Your Future Self

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Question of the day: Number 551

“Enlightenment is when a wave realises it is the ocean.” – Thich Nhat Hanh What does it mean to be enlightened? How would you define enlightenment? How does one attain it? I’m curious to hear your thoughts. *** You can find AP2’s personal blog here at: https://clear-air-turbulence.com You can also find him on Medium at: https://anxiouspilot2.medium.com Or on Twitter at: @AnxiousPilot Continue reading Question of the day: Number 551

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silhouette of people stargazing
Uncategorized

The Meaning of Meaninglessness

Nihilism is a dangerous belief. The inability to make sense of it all leads many to conclude that life is entirely pointless. This, in turn, can lead to the belief that there is little point in trying at anything. Now, I’m not here to debate the existence of a grand creator. (Thank God, I hear you say.) I certainly don’t think there is anything wrong … Continue reading The Meaning of Meaninglessness

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Pointless Overthinking

Stuck in the Clouds: An Aviator’s Guide to Pointless Overthinking

I have a love-hate relationship with thinking. Sometimes, I get in these kinds of flow states where I follow my train of thought – connecting the dots along the way. When I follow my thoughts in this way, I find it euphoric. I often derive my best writing doing so.   This is all well and good when my thought train takes me on a pleasant … Continue reading Stuck in the Clouds: An Aviator’s Guide to Pointless Overthinking

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Pointless Overthinking

A New Year’s Resolution You Might Actually Keep

“Trying is the first step to failure.” – HOMER SIMPSON I don’t care much for New Year’s Resolutions. The idea of sitting down to make a list of things I must or must not do. Frankly it makes me want to jam a pen in my eye. (Which would, incidentally, be less painful than watching as I inevitably fail to stick at any of them.) … Continue reading A New Year’s Resolution You Might Actually Keep

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Pointless Overthinking

An Opportunity To Share and Connect

Dear readers, This Christmas we wanted to give something back to say thank you for all of your continued support. So, we thought we’d offer you all the opportunity to share and promote your blog here on Pointless Overthinking… for free! Here’s the proposal: If you would like to share your blog, please introduce yourself and leave a description of your site with a link to it … Continue reading An Opportunity To Share and Connect

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Self-awareness

These Are a Few of My Favourite Things

I’m curious to know what some of your favourite things are? But also, why are they your favourite things? For example, why is your favourite colour blue? Or why is your favourite band, say, the Beatles? Why is your favourite food strawberry ice cream?  Is it just because, or is there a deeper meaning behind those things? I started thinking about this because my eldest … Continue reading These Are a Few of My Favourite Things

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Politics

Should Vaccinations Be Mandatory?

DISCLAIMER: I’m not a medical healthcare professional. Please read our disclaimers page here) With the obvious exception for those who have legitimate medical reasons, I believe that making vaccinations mandatory for COVID-19, in the current climate, can be ethically justified. Now, to be clear, there’s a difference between mandatory vaccinations – where certain penalties are levied on you for not complying – versus compulsory vaccinations … Continue reading Should Vaccinations Be Mandatory?

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