Back in the day, I was a corporate road warrior with an “Up in the Air” lifestyle. Every week, I was on a plane to various locales throughout the United States. After a while, I became completely de-sensitized to the pre-flight routine. Various flight attendants going through the motions could not hold my attention. Seat belt. I think I got it. Two rear exits. Check. Items in the overhead bin may shift. Whatever! I just wanted to get that bird airborne so I could watch “Friday Night Lights”!

But one announcement always caught my attention:

“In case of a sudden drop in cabin pressure, please secure your own oxygen mask before helping others.”

At face value, this always struck me as a somewhat self-centered and selfish suggestion. Haven’t we always been told to help others first? But, on a rare, recent flight, the obvious finally dawned on me. We can’t help others until we have confidence in our own situation. And once we are stabilized and secure, we can deliver incredible value to those around us. And isn’t that true in our work and personal lives?

Learn First. Then Lead.

As managers, we want to help our team succeed and prosper. But we can’t offer advice and encouragement unless we understand the products and the process ourselves. As teachers and coaches, we want to propel our students and players to greatness. But unless we understand the concepts and feel good about ourselves, we can’t help others achieve their goals. As business owners, we want to mentor our employees and groom a responsible management team. But unless we have a vision and chart the course for the company, we can’t bring others along for the journey. Securing our oxygen mask first is not selfish. Without doing so, we can’t help those closest to us realize their own dreams. We can’t make this world a better place.

Look Inward. So You Can Love Outward.

The same is true in our personal lives. We want our spouse to feel secure and loved. But unless we appreciate and respect ourselves, it is difficult to pass on that love. We want our children to have confidence and conquer any challenge. But unless we have stared down our own challenges, our advice will feel empty and shallow. We want our friends to know we will never judge them and will always forgive. But unless we can forgive ourselves, it will be harder to form those tight bonds. In order to live a fully outward life, we first need to turn inward. And we need to make sure we are breathing free and clear.

Patient, Heal Thyself!

But what happens when we face a major challenge or suffer a setback? What happens when our breathing becomes strained and constricted? How can we help others when our own life is a mess? If we give up on ourselves, we are giving up on everyone in our inner circle. If we settle for a life below our potential, we will drag others down with us. We cannot throw in the towel on our future! There is too much riding on us to succeed! Perhaps we need to doggedly pursue a new job. Perhaps we need to ask forgiveness. Perhaps we need to change our spending habits. Perhaps we need to set new goals. Whatever it is, we need to move forward and stay active. Resilience is our responsibility. We need to be at the top of our game. Then, and only then, can we truly inspire others to succeed.

 

When you walk into the arena, whatever arena in your life, you’re there to take care of a job.—Michael Phelps.

 

Take Care of Business

We all have a job to do. We have to take care of our business. We have to care of our family. We have to take care of our friends. Our world is so inter-connected. But let’s not forget to take care of ourselves along the way. We cannot get stuck in a pattern of negative thinking. We cannot wallow in self-pity. We cannot stop pushing toward greatness. The world needs our enthusiasm. The world needs our optimism. The world needs our resilience. Take a slow, deep breath of pure oxygen. Then go out and make the world a better place.

Until next week, keep smiling!