Cleared For Takeoff

An Introspective on New Adventures

Today begins a new chapter in my life-long journey to enable greatness in others as I start an exciting career with United Airlines. As I reflect on this new step I think of how starting a new job can be like taking a trip.

Leaving for a trip you pack all the necessities you need for the duration and make sure you have everything ready to go. You make sure those little bottles of shampoo are small enough so that the airport security won't take them away, thus shunning you to roll the dice with hotel shampoo for your folic needs. Preparing for a new and exciting opportunity has kind of the same feel to it.

Plan Your Trip

Typically you don't take a trip unless you want to. You might plan for that trip out to Los Angles to have your ears melted by Adele at the Staples Center or maybe spend months prepping everything for that shamrock scurry around Ireland to check out all the sights. In the professional world there can be unexpected trips: layoffs, geographic moves, family needs, really any sort of variable can get in the way that gives you the unexpected.

Yet sometimes you get a chance to plan something exciting in your career. You take stock of where you want to be and look for the flight path that will take you there. Most times you not only look at the path, but are aware of how you'll be treated along your trip. Once everything lines up, you book your ticket and excitedly wait.

Pack Your Bag

Starting a new professional adventure feels a lot like packing your bag for the trip. Do I have enough sunscreen might translate to: do I have the right health insurance coverage? Did I pack the right pair of shoes could mean: have I found the right commute to get there? Whatever the case, the point is you plan accordingly.

One-Way or Round Trip?

Are you planning on coming back after that holiday to London? Who knows, maybe the history of England spoke so deeply to you that you've renounced all earthly possessions back home and have taken to entertaining travelers on the tube as your passion. However, all of your personal trips are more than likely made with the intention of coming back home.

When it comes to our careers we have choices to make. Are we making this trip because it will be a good layover on our way to brighter success or is this intended as a one-way trip along the journey that is your passion?

For me it's a one-way trip along a journey of enabling greatness in others. My bags are packed and today it begins. I am so incredibly thankful to have this opportunity with United Airlines and I can't wait to soar.