Land The Plane

Had a great coffee with Allan Ward the other day. While we met up to discuss my recent book, a deeper conversation unfolded about dreams and making them a reality.

Allan said “Stop circling the runway of life, land the plane, execute those dreams.”

Here’s what this really means:

You’re up there, in the sky, circling endlessly. That’s your life right now — a holding pattern. You’ve got dreams, big ones, I bet. But dreams without action? They’re just fantasies. And you’re not a fantasist; you’re a doer, or at least you should be.

Circling the runway — it’s safe, comfortable. You see your destination, but you’re not landing. Why? Fear? Uncertainty? Comfort in the status quo? Whatever it is, it’s holding you back. You need to switch gears from dreaming to doing. That’s what separates the successful from the also-rans.

Landing the plane — it’s risky, sure. But what in life worth having isn’t? When you land that plane, you’re committing. You’re saying, “This is it. I’m not just thinking; I’m executing.” That’s where the magic happens. In the execution.

Executing those dreams — it’s hard work. It’s not just about big ideas; it’s about grinding it out, day after day. It’s about facing setbacks and still pushing forward. Because in the end, those who turn their dreams into reality are the ones who didn’t just circle above them. They landed, they faced the hard truths, and they executed.

So, what’s it going to be? More circling, or are you ready to land the plane? The runway’s clear. Your move.

Land the plane.

So what are you waiting for?

Brian Fink is the author of The Main Thing is The Main Thing. It’s his way of galvanizing your focus to bring your life’s work to reality. Fink’s impassioned wit and humor tackle the highs and lows of dispelling the constant barrage of interruptions, pings, and distractions that take you away from realizing your main thing.