How to Fly for 44 Hours

This past summer my wife and I went to the “Warriors Over the Wasatch” Air Show at Hill Air Force Base here in Northern Utah where we spent a day watching jets scream overhead, and inhaled second hand fumes of rocket fuel.

“The smell of freedom” they said.

One of the highlights of the day was when an ominous shadow silently hovered over the mountains. Looking closer, a black, razor thin menace approached from the horizon and gradually took shape.

The B-2 Stealth Bomber.

How a plane that looks like the cross between a boomerang and Batman himself even flies is a separate question, but as the announcer at the event shared, the B-2 is one of the most formidable assets in the Air Force arsenal. Able to fly undetected by radar, this $2 Billion (yes, that’s billion with a B) per plane price tag ensures the US continues its dominance in the air.

But the announcer then said something that stopped me in my tracks: “Flying from its home of Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, the B-2 bomber only ever takes off and lands at Whiteman, which is the home to the entire B-2 fleet of 19 aircraft. From there, the longest mission a B-2 has ever flown was over 44 hours in the air…”

44 hours? And it only takes off and lands in Missouri?

Joint operation with South Korean Military? Fly from Whiteman in Missouri.

Operation in Iraq? Fly from Whiteman in Missouri.

Flyover the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA? You got it, fly from Whiteman in Missouri.

That’s a lot of frequent flyer miles.

So, if the plane has to go to Timbuktu and back without touching ground, how does it stay in the air for that long? In perfect timing, the announcer responded, “Thanks to the heroes of the air support teams and refueling squadron, this plane is able to support US forces and our allies across the globe.”

That’s when it hit me: for all the B-2 Stealth Bomber’s marvels, features, and technology… refueling is just as important to its success as executing the mission itself.

What does this have to do with influence and success?

If a $2 Billion dollar feat of engineering needs to refuel, do I take the time to do the same?

I once had some health goals and hired a coach who put together a workout plan to follow. After he walked me through his outline, he asked, “So how are you going to rest?”

“Rest?” I responded.

“Yes, rest. Recovery is as much a part of success as is reaching your goals. And the fuel you take in, is the other key component.”

I don’t know about you, but I thought reaching health goals was about pushing, working hard, and sweating in a gym.

And certainly that’s a part of it.

But what this wise coach was teaching me, expanded my thinking. Recovery and refueling makes the difference between merely striving for a goal and ultimately reaching it.

I bet you are a pretty busy person. You have responsibilities, an ever growing to-do list, and things weighing on your mind. But as you reach and strive and execute, how do you intentionally refuel?

Is it built into your schedule, just like the flight plan of a B-2?

Or do you wing it and just keep pushing?

Whatever you do, I’ve discovered one of the secrets to refueling is connection. Just take it from Henry Cloud: “There’s a difference between solitude and isolation. One is connected and one isn’t. Solitude replenishes, isolation diminishes.”

And one of the biggest culprits to diminished isolation is…. you probably guessed… our smart phones. Isn’t it interesting that on Social Media, they measure clicks, comments, and views as “engagement”? As I catch myself scrolling through mental popcorn on Instagram, even though I am “engaging” with people I follow, I am lying to myself if that is genuine connection.

I’m really sitting there in isolation. In my pajamas.

Rather, for me, replenishing solitude at its best comes when I’m in nature, writing down my thoughts, reading an inspiring book, practicing piano, or calling and having an ACTUAL conversation with a friend.

When I “engage” in connection, I always feel more invigorated to tackle my goals afterwards.

· How would your life be different if you intentionally refueled?

· What works for you? Is it part of your schedule?

· If not, what needs to be re-prioritized?

· What are ways you want to refuel that you aren’t currently doing now?

Just like the B-2 bomber crew in Missouri knows, taking the time to refuel, reconnect, and re-invigorate will help you reach your goals, impact others, and go further than you ever thought possible.

I guess it’s like they always say, “Take time to smell the roses.”

Maybe THAT, and not second-hand rocket fumes, is the real smell of freedom.

-Christian

CHRISTIAN HANSEN has gone behind the scenes in some of the biggest organizations in the world to find out the reasons why some people get chosen and why others don’t. As the #1 bestselling and LinkedIn Top Ten ranked author of “The Influence Mindset: The Art & Science of Getting People to Choose You” Christian helps teams and organizations who want to stand out and be the obvious choice. With degrees from Brigham Young University and The London School of Economics, he’s helped thousands of individuals position and sell themselves. A fan of international communication, history, and choral music, he currently lives in Utah with his wife. Reach him at: TheChristianHansen.com