How to Land the Plane (Keeping It Together in Turbulent Times)

My entire life, I've flown on planes. The earliest I can remember is running up and down the aisles across the Pacific as a toddler, rug burn on my knees from the airplane carpet. That was when they still let you sleep on the floor, if you were small enough. Times have changed.

My body always remembers the sudden turbulence and stomach drop that can happen anytime, mid-flight. Just writing makes me feel it, like dread mixed with anxiety and excitement about where we're going next. Part of me celebrates turbulence and enjoys the ride.

Landing is something else, though — the fast g-force of sudden breaking, the feeling of some-wheels-but-not-all, down then not-down. Gravity and friction win, but there's a moment — a split second, every time — where I think it's all going to go horribly out of control. I expect it now, this split-second of physical panic. I wait for it, like you do at the top of a roller coaster.

Which is how I found one my favorite metaphors: land the plane.

Pilots have a lot going on and are in charge of a lot of people. There are all kinds of distractions to take them off course and waste their focus.

But all they actually need to do is land the plane.

Right now, there is one thing you know you need to do. There is one focus, one vision, one dream. One next step that you’re procrastinating. You know this. It's the reason why you're a leader.

The news tells you you're a fool to even try or hope. Don't listen. Air traffic control doesn't see what you see.

Land the plane.

Maybe you're on your last leg of funding, unsure where to turn for support and about to give up. You know what the next step is you need to do though. Don't get discouraged. This is the moment that counts.

Land the plane.

Maybe you're afraid to speak up, rock the boat and upset a few people in leadership. But you know your voice needs to be heard, not just for you, but for the people you stand for. Focus. You're ready for this.

Land the plane.

The world around us tells us we're not enough, or we're too much, and we should [Fill-In-The-Blank]. I say no to that. You know what you need. Give it to yourself. Surround yourself with people who nourish you.

Then, land the plane.

The world needs you now, more than ever. We don't need your sacrifice. We don't need your self-doubts.

We just need you to land the plane.

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