It was an unusually cold and windy day in the Spring as my family navigated the twist and turns up the road to Lookout Mountain Flight School in the Appalachian Mountains. I was there to be attached to a kite (aka glider) and be thrown off the mountain; also known as hang gliding. There were already a couple of solo flyers at the top ramp when we arrived, waiting for the wind to die down so that it would be safe to fly.
As we checked in, the host informed us that is was likely going to be a significant delay because of the expected continued wind. She offered an alternative for us if we didn’t want to wait; we could go back down the mountain, and they would hook the glider to the back of a small plane, tow me up in the sky, and cut the rope.
Perhaps too trusting, or at least not considering all the potentially catastrophic things that could happen, we made our way back down the mountain. As wild as this experience had already started out, I was fully taking stock and enjoying the moment, and even through all the unknown there were some good leadership reminders to be had from a hang-gliding session.
Do your pre-flight checks
Once at the landing site, we met our crew. There was the instructor who would fly with me, the pilot who would tow us up, and a flight director who coordinated flights, communications, and safety. We had a second safety briefing and went through all the gear and equipment needed for the flight. Once the gear and glider inspection was complete, my instructor took some time to teach me how we were going to fly the thing.
When I’m doing these types of new or perhaps crazy experiences, I’m typically very casual and have a just-go-for-it mindset. Even with skydiving or participating in a running of the bulls, I remind myself, “You’ll be fine. You just need to put one foot in front of the other and pay attention to what’s going on around you.” I was happy that day that the crew was slowing us down to thoroughly cover everything. It certainly gave me a feeling of safety and I was confident that I could do what needed to be done once we were up in the air.
There are temptations at times, especially once you get comfortable in a subject or part of your business, to relax your preparation and checks and balances. If it’s important, take the time to slow down and make sure everything is good to go before you jump into that big meeting, or presentation or even just head out the door.
Prepare for the release
Being towed from a plane is wild. The sudden acceleration, kicking up the dirt and grass, and then feeling the pull of the plane as you get off the ground. It was something! Once in the air, the dynamic shifts dramatically. It’s much calmer as the forces even out and even becomes a surprisingly smooth ride as we go higher and higher.
“Get ready for the drop when he cuts the rope!” My instructor yelled at me over the aircraft noise in front of us.
Just a moment later the pilot cut the rope and the feeling honestly took my breath away; the sudden change in force from being pulled and connected to the plane to suddenly not along with the resulting dip from the glider was a lot to experience.
You may not have had a chance to go hang-gliding yet, but you’ve likely experienced that moment before a big moment. I feel it as a sense of calm and then determination before a Tough Mudder Race (Show 444), nervous energy before going on stage to play music, and a sense of excitement before a big presentation. How I prepare for each of those is different, but regardless of the approach, I make sure that I am mentally ready to get going.
Acknowledging the final moments before an important experience is key to a great and successful start. How do you prepare for the release? Do you prepare yourself mentally and just haphazardly go into the moment? Do your best to get yourself into the correct, healthy headspace before you step into the big moment.
Enjoy the ride
The ride down was incredible. My instructor flew us for a while reiterating what he taught me on the ground, we flew together, and then I had the chance to flow the glider myself.
“What do you think?” The Instructor asked.
“It’s amazing!” That’s all I could get out.
It was amazing. The cool air, the quietness, the views, it was a lot to take in. I was doing my best to soak in the experience and enjoy every single second in the air. It’s a great reminder to me to enjoy the moments you have, even the small things because you never know when those dynamics change. Early in my career, we moved around quite a bit chasing promotions and business needs. We lived in one of those places for 9 months before moving again and really had a lot of regrets about not doing more things in the community and surrounding area. We went in with the assumption that we would have more time. From that move forward, we leaned all in on the places where we lived and haven’t had regrets since. That same mindset changed how I dealt with relationships and opportunities as well.
Be fully engaged in the moment that you are in, because that’s all that you are guaranteed. That moment. If you are one who quickly moves on to the next thing or doesn’t take the time to slow down and appreciate things, try to make time this week to do just that. Here are some activities that can help you appreciate your current lifestage and situations.
- Make a list of things in your community that you want to do and haven’t yet. Places to eat, local attractions, festivals, parks and trails, and entertainment places are all areas to consider.
- Make a gratitude list. What are you thankful for today? What is impacting that list now, that wasn’t there a few years ago?
- Consider your circle of friends and family. Who could use some encouragement today? (Show 185)
If can go higher, then go higher
Before we went up, the flight director asked me if I wanted to do the highest altitude possible for a small upcharge, they could also take video and pictures from the flight too for another fee. Now I know this is retail 101, to upcharge and get a little bit more out of your customer. If you know that you are about to go on a unique journey and experience, particularly one that you may never go on again, don’t short yourself and give yourself a chance to get the most enjoyment and memories from the time.
This is a lesson that I keep having to learn, unfortunately. Sometimes like on the hang-gliding trip, I made the right choice and I’m still happy I spent the extra bit of money. On the other hand, I recently traveled across the country for a race, I cut my travel as cheap as possible and even cut short the trip by a day. I should have given myself the space to enjoy the trip more. Give yourself that extra level of love and care to ensure that the experience is all that you had hoped it to be.
Back on the ground, I was very thankful for the experience and what it had given me. As you go on your own adventures in life, remember to prepare well beforehand, prepare yourself mentally for the time of action, and give yourself the best chance to enjoy the experience.
Make a better tomorrow.
-ZH
Find the full Finding Leadership Series here
