One of the fear bubbles you must burst if you want to make any meaningful impact, in life is the fear of take-off. There must be a proper take-off if we desire to make maximum impact and succeed in our pursuits. No matter the project whether in business, academics, career, investment, marriage, or any relationship there is a need for a proper take-off. To a large extent how we take off determines how we will finish. Take-off in this context means the action of starting out something. It means setting in motion your goals or dreams. The issue of take-off is very important in the quest for success.
What is Your Takeoff Plan
Now, what is your take-off plan for that job, business, contract, exams, marriage, and or relationship? Or how do you intend to begin or kick-start that project? The speed with which you accomplish your set goals and the height you will attain on the success ladder and how far you will go in this race to a large extent depends on your takeoff. Definitely, it has a very huge impact on your successful project.
A critical observation of the take-off process of the avian species, sprinters, and airplanes or space rockets reveals that about seventy to eighty percent of the maximum momentum or speed needed to propel such body or object is generated at take-off. That is why you must take your take-off very seriously. Taking off properly allows you to achieve a lot in no distant time. A good take-off serves as a springboard for greater achievement, you can accomplish more within a short period.
Your Takeoff Determines Your Performance
A very good sprinter who was tipped to win a 200-meter race performed abysmally, to the disappointment of her fans. And when she was interviewed she blamed her poor takeoff as the reason for her abysmal performance. So, no matter how good a sprinter might be if the takeoff is flawed then the entire race will become a monumental flop and vice versa. Hence we can deduce that any project that has a good takeoff will have an advantage over the ones with a poor takeoff. Here quality take-off becomes a massive game changer.
When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the plane takes off against the wind. Not with it – Henry Ford.
In my culture, there is an adage that says, ‘o wu mbido ara ahu’. Meaning that ‘the takeoff’ in any project is usually very difficult. This is because at takeoff you are battling with so many contrary forces. And a proper takeoff allows you to overcome these forces. The birds and the airplane take off against the force of the wind. Also, the space rocket has to overcome the ‘pull’ of the force of gravity – thanks to their well-articulated takeoff.
Unfortunately, the fear of take-off has denied many the privilege of succeeding in life. In any business, project, or relationship it is not usually easy to start up. But with a proper and well-planned takeoff, one can overcome the initial setback. So in this regard, we shall look at ways to overcome the fear of take-off.
Get going. Move forward. Aim high. Plan a takeoff. Don’t just sit on the runway and hope someone will come along and push the airplane. It simply won’t happen. Change your attitude and gain some altitude. Believe me; you will love it up here – Donald Trump.
Good planning
From the above quote, we can conspicuously glean three realities of a proper takeoff. The first is planning. You must plan your takeoff well. And in your planning spell out your objectives, set targets or goals, and then map out strategies to accomplish them. Looking at the avian takeoff. Larger birds need a prolonged takeoff run to be airborne, while small birds can jump straight into the air at takeoff. Hence larger birds need to generate enough airspeed before they can take off. Oftentimes they must run over the ground or water until they reach the minimum air speed needed to take off.
Relating this to take-off in business or projects. The magnitude determines the number of resources, and the resources determine the takeoff speed. You cannot set in motion a business of a global magnitude with lean resources, or resources meant for a business of local magnitude. It will be suicidal to do so. Therefore to overcome the fear of takeoff and excel in whatever you are starting up you must plan your takeoff. Plan it in such a way that the resources will match the magnitude.
Take action
The second is action. Planning a takeoff without action equals stagnation. According to Newton’s first law of motion, ‘Every object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless compelled to change its state by the action of an external force. You need to exert action or energy for you to overcome the static force. To overcome the ‘full’ force and set an object in motion you must push. Not until you take action nothing will happen. In taking off you are putting a project, business, or body in motion. So you must overcome the body mass to gain speed and to do that you need inertia. Remember you don’t know what you are capable of until you give it a try. Don’t let the fear of taking off limit you.
Your precision counts
The third is precision. You must be on point. Don’t be so nervous and never jump the gun. Some athletes are so nervous that even before the takeoff they jump the gun. While some take off after the gun. Nervousness will unsettle you and as such affects your performance. Avoid doubt, and fear of the unknown. Be cool, calm, and calculative. Your precision counts towards a good take-off. Finally, to have a proper and effective takeoff you must plan and act with precision. That is the summary of a good takeoff.
Culled from my book “The Threshold of Life “. Get your Copy and Learn more about The Take-off.