As I’ve continued to age, I’ve gotten somewhat more reflective and introspective. Not enough to make me much less of a self-indulgent twat (as is evidenced by these blogs), but enough to make some difference. At least that’s what I tell myself…..
At any rate, and as is usually the case, that’s not really the point of this thing. The point is that somewhere along the way I realized I was no longer asking myself “why not” to kickstart my internal dialogue. It wasn’t all at once; it wasn’t even noticeable really…..it was one of those things I didn’t even realize had slowed down until I figured out it had stopped completely.
Here I go again being self-indulgent. The point I’m meandering towards is that asking “why” assumes a need for permission or approval, whether from yourself or someone else. Asking “why not” assumes permission and approval. This is not to suggest that “why not” applies to anything and everything without consideration, but it sure should apply to more things.
It’s usually at this point in my writing, blogs in particular, that I want people to be asking themselves, “what does this have to do with private aviation?”
I’m glad you asked….
99% of the people I speak to who are not clients are hung up on “why”. On giving themselves permission to say “yes” or to ask “why not?” But, as I barrel recklessly towards what I assume is the only logical conclusion, “why?” is the wrong question in my business. The right question, as I’m sure you’ve surmised, is “why not?”
Because, at the end of the day, asking yourself “why not?” is a different animal. It’s burden shifting. The purpose of the question is no longer finding support for the idea itself, but rather forces individuals to address objections (internalized or otherwise) to the idea itself. It assumes correctness and looks for support, rather than assuming incorrectness and looking for justification. It forces dialogue. Critical thought. Prioritization. Identification of values.
So, why shouldn’t you fly privately?
Because you enjoy airport terminals? You love Hudson stores? Because middle seats build character? Because “first class” is good enough? Because you secretly love those full-body scans at TSA checkpoints?
We know the answer. Now you have to do something about it.
Mark
