Page 84 - Never Fly Solo

LIFT VERSUS DRAG | 57
not going to be able to release all of it. After all, sometimes
you may not even be aware that these actions are dragging
you down. It’s tough to do, but if you want to break free of
what’s holding you back, you must release them.

JETTISON DRAG

What’s dragging you down right now? Are you willing to
ditch it so you can climb higher and be more maneuverable?
Are you willing to look with clear eyes and let go of an
unhealthy relationship, a habit of laziness, or a private addic-
tion? If a bad job is weighing you down or a fear of failure is
stopping you from starting a new business, are you willing to
take a risk, step outside your comfort zone, and fly?
One of your primary objectives as a wingman in life is to
gain lift and minimize drag so you can fly to new heights and
gain the necessary flexibility to dodge the missiles of adversity
that are launched at you. But you also want to be in the best
possible position to support your wingmen. Your team mem-
ber may be experiencing some challenges and may need you
to step up and lend a wing.

WEATHERING THE STORM

No mission always has clear skies. Bad weather is inevitable,
and sooner or later, the clouds and turbulence will come. This
is when character and skill get put to the test. Pilots deal with
storms in one of two ways: grin and bear it and take off, or
abort the mission.
My wingmen and I have aborted many training missions
where safety was a factor. Even in the military, there is no