Page 86 - Never Fly Solo

LIFT VERSUS DRAG | 59
It also got me focused on who needed me. It forced me to
“think outside my cockpit” and got me out of my head. Look-
ing at these photos gave meaning to my mission. What gives
meaning to your mission? When you put yourself in a service
mind-set, you’ll instantly shift your perspective and gain cour-
age. So focus on what gives lift to your life.
Want to find what gives you lift? Look at what drives
your passion. Look at who needs you to perform. Look at the
relationships and activities that get you excited and energized
and ready to “push it up” in life. Then pursue them relent-
lessly. Seek what gives you life: your children, your friends
and family, physical fitness, music, a pet, nature, trusted col-
leagues, your work, God—whatever it is.

Refuel
Fighter pilots have stringent rest requirements, and they must
have twelve hours of uninterrupted rest time before they can
fly. If not, they are grounded. The reason is simple: fatigue
severely inhibits performance. No one can go nonstop and give
100 percent all the time. We need to give ourselves a break.
Take time to refuel and rest.
Burnout is a leading culprit not just in lack of productivity
in the workplace but in emotional stress, bad health, and a host
of other ills. If you feel you are literally dragging, maybe it’s time
to step back and just take a break. Take a short vacation, get a
massage, or sleep in one weekend. When I was based in Italy and
flying missions into Serbia, I would occasionally take long hikes
in the Italian Alps and just drink in the natural beauty surround-
ing me. It really helped me to relax and get recentered.
Don’t worry if you have to put your work on hold for a
short while. I guarantee, once you get back in the cockpit, your