Flight Log: The Year is Behind Us. What Have You Decided?

Updated January 21st, 2024

Thank you for joining us! Due to the demands of life that we are all familiar with (a third baby any day now), this edition is a republish of the second ever edition of Airplane Mode. I appreciate your time and I am providing one of my favorite editions, as it set the pace for the rest of the publication. A constant theme in Airplane Mode is decision making, and how to do it well, compound good decisions, and turn that skill into greatness. We are scheduling, planning, and working to bring you some excellent business aviation leaders via video/audio interview - which will really add a layer of depth that has been unseen thus far. Until then - More Signal, Less Noise!

What's behind the name "Airplane Mode"? Our mission is to help you tune out the daily distractions for a few moments, delivering concise and meaningful insights without needing to scroll, flip, or listen through endless content. We've curated the most valuable information for you, simplifying your path to personal and professional growth.

This week we dive into innovation, the psychology of decision-making, and the art of simplicity in complexity..

Navigating Innovation - Beyond Profit

It's almost humorous that throughout history, a paradoxical relationship has presented itself; innovation has to transcend simply profiting. Innovation is imperative in aviation, and in a lot of businesses all the same - yet it requires a vision that goes beyond profit and captures the imagination and landscape of the creators. After innovation comes iteration toward perfection, and ultimately profit, and finally stagnation. Once a product is profitable, history seems to bear out the notion that humans are largely greedy and only seek to profit, slowing innovation for a cycle, until brave men and women transcend society's "boundaries.” Nikola Tesla is the best example that comes to mind. An oversimplification, certainly, but it would seem we are back at the duality of life: the constant tug of war between good and bad, yin and yang, right and wrong, good and evil.

Decision Making Dynamics - Embracing the Turbulence

Life and business are filled with decisions, some easy and some that feel like navigating through turbulence. Understanding the psychology behind decision-making can be a game-changer.

1. Identify Biases: What are you motivated by? Fear or ambition? Long term or short term?
2. Align with Core Values: Ensure that your decisions line up with your principles. If this is a mis-match, you will never have equilibrium.
3. Get a Long Term Mindset: Think 2-5 steps ahead with every decision when you’re first starting to train for a long term mindset. It will eventually become a calloused reflex.
4. Decision Frameworks: When problem X comes up, have a mental model or framework (a, b, c, d) ready and be familiar with them enough to apply on the go. The quality of our thinking is proportional to the models in our mind that are already running. More on mental models and decision frameworks linked below.
5. Emotional Intelligence: If you cannot manage your emotions, you won’t need a mental model because you will be figuring out simpler problems, such as, how do I pay the electric bill this month?
6. Decision Journal: At a juncture or a fork in the road, where a decision has to be made, record the decision, the rationale behind it, and the outcomes. Refine over time.

Farnam Street Wrote It Better:

Simplicity in Complexity - The Art of Effortless Flight

The beauty of flight lies in its apparent simplicity, yet its underlying mechanics are incredibly complex. This duality reflects a profound truth in both business and life: simplicity often results from mastering complexity. Whether it's a well-crafted business strategy or a perfectly executed negotiation, the ability to make the complex appear simple is a skill worth cultivating.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” - Leonardo da Vinci

Aviation Examples of Complexity to Simplicity:

Wright Brothers: Boiled down the complexities of flight into three principles and focused on them until they achieved the “impossible”.

• 1. Lift
• 2. Control
• 3. Thrust Say no more.

• Southwest Airlines Point-to-Point Model: While everyone else was competing on a hub-and-spoke system, Southwest decided to go point-to-point with their flights and avoided scheduling complexities, layovers, and ultimately streamlined their processes - becoming a low-cost carrier. Herb Kelleher was viewed as a Wild Turkey drinking, cigarette smoking, mad man.

Knowledge Key

“Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.” - Sir Francis Bacon

Let's Grow Together — One Page at a Time

Here's the deal: I've kept Airplane Mode ad-free and subscription-free because I believe in providing value directly to you, I need to earn respect and better my skills, and you deserve it without distractions. But quality content isn't free to produce, so here's a way we can help each other out, if you'd consider.

Below is the cover of a book that's been a game-changer for me: "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. If you're considering adding this masterpiece to your collection, doing it through the Amazon affiliate link below would support us immensely. Amazon will share a slice of the profit with Airplane Mode, which we'll pour right back into creating richer content, hosting insightful guests, and building a community where everyone thrives.

This book is a legacy of wealth-building wisdom. By clicking and purchasing through our link, not only do you invest in your own growth, but you also become a part of something bigger — a community dedicated to learning, growing, and succeeding together.

Thank you for considering this support. It means the world to me personally, and we can't wait to bring even more value to your journey.

Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich" is a blueprint for success, with practical steps that will directly help you.

Here's why it stands out:

1. Goal Setting: Transforms your burning desires into clear, achievable goals.
2. Masterminding: Guides you to create a powerful group to amplify wisdom and drive.
3. Resilience: Teaches perseverance through life's inevitable challenges.
4. Proven Principles: Offers tried-and-true strategies used by titans like Henry Ford.

Ace Update

The grace of a seasoned general, heart of a companion. Machine guns zipping in the background, Ace gazes on, “I may have a cliche name, but my strategies are top tier”…. “I was dogfighting before you were born”. An Ace indeed.

“I believe in the discipline of mastering the best that other people have ever figured out. I don't believe in just sitting down and trying to dream it all up yourself. Nobody's that smart."

Charlie Munger

Thank you for reading Airplane Mode! Do feel free to send a direct message to LinkedIn, Twitter, or email me directly with what you’d like to see in upcoming editions of Airplane Mode.

Email: [email protected]

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