Page 82 - Never Fly Solo

LIFT VERSUS DRAG | 55
must instinctively do is “jettison their stores.” That means
getting rid of all the parasite drag hanging from the jet that is
not critical to survival. Extra fuel tanks and missiles are all
ditched. This reduces weight while simultaneously reducing
drag, allowing the fighter to be more maneuverable and,
hopefully, avoid getting shot down. There’s an important les-
son for business and life in this analysis.

WHAT IS DRAGGING YOU DOWN?

No matter how skilled or motivated you are, you’re always
going to have some degree of both parasite and induced drag
in your life. And just like a fighter pilot, you must manage it
and not let it hold you back from accomplishing your
mission.
Let’s look at parasite drag first. This is the drag that lies
outside yourself. It’s what “hangs” from your airframe.
The most obvious parasite drag is the negative relation-
ships that sap your energy, pollute your airspace with negativ-
ity or pessimism, and give nothing in return. This drag can
come in the shape of coworkers you hang out with in the
break room, or peers you associate with on the weekend. You
may call them friends, but they really aren’t. They are the ones
who possibly do drugs, badmouth their company and coun-
try, show disrespect to others, or lack integrity. These aren’t
wingmen; they’re wing nuts! They may act as though they
support you in your life but they’re the first to tell you you’re
“not smart enough for that new job,” that you “won’t make
it,” or that you “really shouldn’t be asking for that raise.”
They suck the life out of you and hold you back from reach-
ing your highest potential. You must remove these people’s