Peace Of Mind At 37,000 Feet

“Ladies and Gentlemen, from the flight deck this is your First Officer speaking, we have reached our cruising altitude of 37,000 feet. We are expecting a smooth ride; the seat belt sign is now off. You are free to move about the cabin, we just ask that if you remain in your seat you keep your seat belt fastened in the unlikely event we encounter any turbulence.”

I make this announcement several times a day when I’m flying and undoubtedly you have heard it countless times during your travels.

The more I say it though, the more I think about its double meaning.

Every time I get in an airplane I’m never planning for things to go wrong. As most University of Dubuque Flight Operations students know all too well, staying ahead of the aircraft and being prepared for problems is the hallmark of a good pilot.

But even with countless hours of preparation and experience, problems will always arise. It’s how a pilot responds to these issues where she will earn her pay.

Since graduating, I think of life in a similar way.

The majority of us wake up each morning prepared and hoping for a good day.  Whether it be a day at work, a day off at home, or traveling, none of us can predict the future and know when things won’t go as planned. These events represent the turbulence on a flight.

Just like there are indications from weather reports, air traffic control updates, and reports from nearby aircraft, life has its own way of giving us indicators or guidance. However, if we aren’t prepared to respond to these queues, they don’t hold a lot of value.

The best preparation we can provide for ourselves, I believe, comes in two forms: discipline and support systems.

In college, discipline meant spending more time at the library on weekends instead of out at bars. It meant staying on campus over the summer to fly and maintain proficiency in the airplane, instead of checking out until the fall semester commenced.

At work this means committing to habitual reviews of emergency procedures, company policies, and staying sharp on aircraft systems knowledge.

At home, discipline can be seen as a keeping your spaces tidy, structured finances, healthy communication skills, a good diet, remaining active, time set aside for self-refection and meditation, etc…

These small disciplines also have a multiplier effect.

Just as in life, if you “get behind the aircraft” by stopping your scan of the instruments, lose track of inclement weather, or forget to navigate properly, you’ll likely find yourself in unpredictable situations, the result of which no pilot wishes to experience.

But if you remain vigilant in your home and career, you’ll see these small acts of discipline add up and propel you ahead.

All of these things can be done alone, but they can be done to a much higher degree

with a support system. Don’t sell yourself short on life’s potential. We are social creatures and there’s a reason why operating a commercial aircraft often requires two pilots. The key detail here, is being very conscience of who you let into that inner circle support system.

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to surround yourself with people of the same caliber, people who uphold the same morals and work ethic. It’s all too easy to settle into a routine and become comfortable with it. Those who continually push themselves to grow outside of their comfort zone are the ones who will be best prepared when life takes its ‘unplanned’ turns.

Bad habits have a much harder time forming when you are surrounded by people who help keep you in line, as well as when you are mentally strong as a result of practicing discipline in your day-to-day life.

In the words of American novelist Norman Mailer, “Every moment of one’s existence one is growing into more or retreating into less.”

Don’t let yourself become the passenger of your own life, take charge, push yourself and continue to grow as a person up until your last days.