Be the Pilot or the Passenger, It's Your Choice

By David Schnurman

This article is also distributed on PimpWiz.com, a website which offers content to the reader who wishes to symbolize and embody success.

For me it is control...What is it for you?

I personally don't like taking orders from middle managers. Do you? I don't like following someone who I don’t respect. What's the point? I like being in control of my situation, and entrepreneurship is one way to ensure that I always will be.

I love to fly, but get apprehensive on a plane because I have no control over what happens during those few hours. It is all in the hands of the pilot and co-pilots. While I have to accept that on an airplane (until I learn to fly), I do not have to accept that in life and neither do you.

Below are 4 suggestions on how to pilot your own life to become a successful entrepreneur:

1. Your attitude is your altitude.
I have heard this countless times from successful people, as I am sure you have too. But it is worth repeating. So fly high.

2. Make small adjustments
When you are on a commercial plane the pilot doesn't change directions by more the 6 degrees at a time. While most airplanes can bank above 40 degrees, the pilot doesn't want to scare the bajeezus out of the passengers. You should be the same way when piloting your life. Make small steps when changing directions, as not to shock your system. For some that may mean moonlighting your business before quitting your day job. Determine what it is for you, and until you are more experienced, don't exceed it.

3. Strive to create your own autopilot
One reason pilots can easily fly all over the world on a consistent basis is because they put their planes on autopilot. To be successful over the long-term you must also create an autopilot for your own life. You don’t want to burn yourself out. Make sure to structure your schedule properly so you are not working 15 hours a day to make your idea and company becomes a success. Pilots need rest to fly safely, and so do you!

4. Landings are more difficult than taking off
In order to take off on a plane, all you need to do is put the flaps down and increase the throttle. To land takes much more skill and practice. The same thing holds true with starting a business or new project. Starting something is much easier than following through with it. Therefore, before you take off and start a new project, make sure you are adequately prepared. In other words, don't set yourself up to crash and burn.

Bonus Analogy: Create your own flight simulator
Pilots train hours on end in a flight simulator so they can make mistakes without life or death consequences. You should too. How to do that will be discussed in future articles.

Bottom-line, taking control and piloting your own life is very achievable, so get started today.

Comments

[Jeff Sandgrund]

Well said!

[Alan Schnurman]

Great Article on Flying