Autopilot Of Success

Success requires consistent action

My frequent flyer statements tell me I have flown well over two million miles. For the most part, airline travel is just a routine part of my business, but a handful of flights are memorable. 

 

After speaking at an arena event in Vancouver, Canada, I boarded a plane the next morning for a flight to Toronto for another event.  As I settled into my seat, the pilot greeted me enthusiastically and told me he had been in the audience the previous night at the arena event where I had spoken. When he asked if there was anything special he could do for me, I told him I would love to sit up in the cockpit with him and his colleagues; so after we took off and leveled out, the flight attendant came and got me and took me into the cockpit where the pilot introduced me to his copilot and the navigator. I had expected them all to be very busy flying the plane, but they merely glanced at the computer and the gauges periodically as they continued to talk with me.
 
When I questioned how challenging it was to fly a jet thousands of miles across Canada, the pilot explained that the takeoffs and landings required a lot of attention, but otherwise, if you know where you’re going and the route you want to take, the most efficient method of flying is to use the autopilot. Although I never have and never will fly a plane, that has proven to be amazing advice throughout the years. I have found that utilizing the autopilot concept has brought me a lot of success. 
 
Among the fastest-growing groups of millionaires in our country today are the retirement-plan millionaires. These are individuals who consistently and unemotionally invest a set amount of money in their retirement plan each month. What makes success possible for so many people is not the plan itself but the autopilot feature. This allows investors to make the right decision one time and reap the benefits for decades as the plan automatically takes money and deposits it in their retirement account every month.  They’re not forced to remember, stay committed, or even be aware of the fact that the plan is working on their behalf.  This same concept will work for college funds, insurance plans, or simply building up an emergency savings account or a down payment for your next home. 
 
If knowledge was the only key to success, we would all be rich, thin, and happy.  Unfortunately, success requires consistent action, and any time we can make a commitment once and generate action far into the future, we are virtually guaranteeing our success.
 
As you go through your day today, decide where you’re going, how you want to get there, and put the process on autopilot.
 
Today’s the day!