WING TIPS

When I was an instructor pilot in the Air Force, my life in the jet was all about practice. On every student mission, all we did was practice. We trained so the student could learn and become proficient at the various maneuvers they were required to master. When two of us instructors flew together, we practiced both flying the acrobatics and our teaching techniques. We were teaching in fighter-type jets and knew that many of our students would have to repeat these kinds of tactics when they graduated to begin flying fighters in life-or-death situations.

In the airline business, we trained incessantly when we first checked out in a new jet. We learned to fly with only one engine, make emergency descents, and land the plane when the flaps wouldn’t come down. After that, we were evaluated with a check ride every six months and once a year with comprehensive retraining complete with a plethora of emergencies. You often carry a plane full of people, and you had the highest obligation to keep them safe for their families and friends.

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From Pilot to Speaker

I no longer am an active professional pilot, having retired from Delta several years ago. My career doesn’t have the “life or death” component it did for decades. These days I’m an author and professional speaker, but I’m still practicing to get better. That is one of the important reasons I put this Wing Tips letter out each week. Yes, my primary goal is to help you by passing on information that has helped me over the years. But I also want to keep intellectually engaged, practice my writing skills, and continue to be active on my life’s journey.

I attended the National Speakers Association’s (NSA) annual conference called Influence 2021 last week. The purpose of the conference in NSA’s words, “Build a better business and become a better speaker.” The general sessions and the breakout meetings were all geared to those two goals. I was there for both reasons but primarily to learn ways to hone my speaking skills.

It’s a part of the subject I’m passionate about-Excellence, defined very simply as doing the best that you can do and being the best that you can be. Why would you want to settle for anything less? And practice is a significant catalyst to that end.

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What About You?

What are you doing in your career to stay sharp and to lift your game? Doing so often comes with business advancement or monetary rewards. But that shouldn’t be your primary motivation. It doesn’t even have to be a career goal at all.

Do the best that you can do when you give back to your community. Be active in that nonprofit organization that stirs your soul. Attend the meetings, donate, read the required materials ahead of time if you are on the board or serve on a committee. And be ready to make a real contribution.

Are you playing golf with your buddies? That’s just fine. Take a lesson or two. Hit the driving range more than you are now. And work on that short game. It’s not about competing against them. It’s about competing with yourself.

You don’t have to be better than anyone else. You just want to do the best that you can do. We can all do that. And time spent on practice will help you get to that goal.

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A Quote To Consider!

Always realize that you can get better. Your best work has not been done yet. Practice! Practice! Practice!

--Les Brown

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