Natural drag and the art of flying high

By Walt F.J. Goodridge

Special to the Saipan Tribune
Originally published: Wednesday, April 21, 2010


The only way to take control of your life, raise your standard of living and move beyond merely surviving is to create your own unique product or service that you offer to increasing numbers of people in exchange for the things of value that you desire. This simple formula applies to countries as well as people. A self-sufficient economy has its own products or services of value to export to the world. Similarly, a self-sufficient individual has something of value to exchange in the global marketplace. That thing of value is based on your natural talent, skill, or interest—in other words, your passion!

 

Hiya Walt, 

      I have nearly finished my first read of your passion for profit book. I thank you for your support as I begin my journey. I must say you have certainly packed the book full of great ideas, It has taken me a month to read and digest each part of your book , which is unusual as I normally read a book in 4-5 days!! I was really helped by your comments that it will take time, that I may struggle at the beginning and that I may get pushed back on many occasions. I have done my draft business plan, made mock up brochures, made a draft web site, I’m collecting ideas to design my products. I wanted to be slightly risqué and thought, ”oh id better not,” but after studying some of Richard Branson’s quotes, I now think ill stick to my original ideas!! Thanks again!--Nila

 

Hi Nila,

      Thanks so much for the great feedback. Speaking of being "thrown back on occasion," consider the following:

       There are basic laws of the universe that apply to every thing and every one. One such law is that "for each and every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." Let me give you a practical and current example of this.

       Recently, you may have heard the news that air traffic across Europe has been grounded due to the danger of flying jet-engine planes through the airborne ash from the eruption of the volcano, Eyjafjallajokull, in Iceland. In a recent interview, an expert was asked why the planes couldn't simply fly above, below, or around the clouds of ash. He explained that flying a jet plane below the level where the cloud of ash has been detected, at 8,000-10,000 feet was not an option since the “drag” (the air resistance) on the body of the plane is so tremendous at that low altitude as to make fuel efficiency and air travel impractical. Jet planes fly best in the thinner atmosphere of higher altitudes. [If you're interested, the other reasons include that the ash is practically undetectable by the naked eye to fly around, and flying above the invisible cloud of ash would require the equally risky option of ascending and descending through it.]

       What a great metaphor!  So, let’s fly with it!

       As you go through the process of turning your passion into profit, the resistance you will encounter will take many forms. It may appear that people are jealous. It may appear that people are sabotaging your progress and success.  Some will promise and not deliver. Others may deliver, but drag their heels when they do. It may, at times, appear to be an intricately interwoven, global conspiracy designed to keep you down and push you back!

       On those occasions, it may help to remember that such resistance is actually a natural part of the process, or, more accurately, part of a natural process.

       Just like a jet plane attempting to fly to its destination, the forward motion towards your goal of creating a passion-centered life and business is going to be resisted by those whose sole purpose, it seems, is to provide the “drag” of lower atmosphere.  The thoughts, expectations, habits and behavior that exist in the lower atmosphere are not vindictively aimed at you, they are simply part of what is. They can’t help it. It’s natural law.

Fortunately, unlike the rigid, limited, easily-clogged metal engine parts, YOU need not be grounded by such resistance. To overcome, get beyond and transcend the invisible ash that often permeates the atmosphere of your life (in the form of your own thoughts and the expectations of others), you can simply choose to think, speak and act on a higher plane (no pun intended). In other words, fly above the fray (and the fjords)!

       The lower your aspirations, thoughts and behavior, the “closer to the ground” you will be flying, and thus, the more drag and push back you will encounter.

Honor your original creative ideas, Nila. Stick to your original plans. Stick to the dream that originally inspired you to action. Think big. Fly high. The atmosphere above the clouds is more conducive to speedy and fulfilling travel...and the view is much better, too!

 

You are now free to roam about the cabin!