May I have your Attention, Please?

Everyday there are literally hundreds of sounds all around you that go unnoticed because you aren't paying attention to them (Brownell).

What people may not realize is for some people, staying focused and paying attention means life or death.

"Ten seconds is a lifetime when you are flying Fighter Jets," says Dan Monette, a former Navy Pilot. "You must pay attention, even if it's inconvenient."

The training in the Navy and Marine Corps regarding focus and attention is extensive. Around 40% of people drop out during the training to become a pilot. 

To become a fighter pilot you must train physically and mentally to be attentive and focused. The same principles apply for all people who want to be effective listeners.

"During training you have to learn to listen and pay attention. Or you ran laps," Monette says. "The training concentrates in the moment and is geared to overcome distractions."

The number one goal with flying aircraft's is safety. To achieve safety, attention is paramount.

"When you fly you need to look and hear for what is 'not right' with your aircraft; listen to what is important; eliminate background noise; and listen for the exception," Monette says. "Directions of the ground crew are critical and if something is missed, the consequences can be great."

To put that into perspective, Monette talks about the story where two pilots were concerned with a broken light bulb in the aircraft. The pilots ignored all the warning signs from ground control and crashed straight into the ground.

The following video is from a F18 crashing into a California home:

Monette says you learn to listen. People aren't inherently good listeners; they have to train just like people who train for marathons.