Know your pilots, flight attendants, and support staff

For those of us who are solopreneurs, we may think of ourselves as a one-woman show, but in fact, our businesses exist because we work with others. Whether it be a supportive spouse, family member or children that pitch in when you need help.

• When is the last time you thanked your crew for their support and help?
• How do you show your gratitude?

Flight Plan

It’s also important to have an up-to-date aerial view of your life. Where are you going? What will we need to get there?  Have you done a values assessment? Are you carrying out your day to day life in alignment with those values?

We’re so busy running from here to there, but how many of you purposefully think about creating joy in your day to day lives? Are you actively scheduling JOYFUL moments in your week or month? Set a date with yourself and/or your crew for a joyful experience. Joy does not need to be expensive. It is about the intention we are creating – board game night, reading together, dance-offs in the living room.

Baggage

We all have our baggage – clearly mark or identify that which you are lugging around. When we identify our issues/struggles, goals/ambitions & successes, it helps us keep track of where we’re going. You know, so our luggage doesn’t get lost. 😉 Not all luggage is bad! Be sure to name your successes and challenges!

When stowing it away for our flight, be careful when you open the overhead compartment – the baggage may have jostled.

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For When Life Gets Bumpy

Turbulence

Seatbelts

“Please remain in your seat until the pilot has turned off the seat belt sign.” When you’re in panic mode, set a timer for 15 minutes. Sit quietly, take deep breaths and listen to your intuition. What is your intuition trying to say to you?

When we react too quickly to crises, we tend to blow things out of proportion instead of focusing on facts. Maybe we say or do things we don’t mean to do because we’re in reaction mode, instead of thinking mode. Throughout our lifetime, we will no doubt experience great sadness and struggles, but what matters is how we chose to deal with them. It may be too soon in a crisis or tragedy to say “where is the joy in all of this,” or “what is there to be thankful for” but with some time and perspective between you and the event, you may be able to see the small blessings that appear in your life as a result.

Emergency Exits

Wouldn’t it be great if in times of crisis or emergency, there were little lights illuminating where we should go? And wouldn’t it be great if there was a fun slide at the end of that doorway? Unless you’re a flight attendant or a frequent traveler, you’ll have to design your own Emergency Exits for your personal crises.

• Create space in your home that soothes you.
• Schedule meaningful downtime for yourself on a daily basis or at the very least, a weekly basis.
• Make a list of things or places you can do/visit that help calm you.

Flotation Device

Feeling alone and lost at sea? Reach out to your network of friends and family for support. If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, it may be time to see a mental health professional or your doctor for assistance.

• Make a list of the activities you have enjoyed in the past, such as gardening, going to the movies, baking a pie, bowling or finger-painting.
• Schedule a fun night for yourself (and/or a friend to join you) and incorporate some of your favourite activities.
• Review your gratitude journal and reflect back on how you got through some of your previous difficult times.

Oxygen Masks

Notice that the safety instructions tell us to place the oxygen mask on ourselves before we assist the children or elderly traveling with us. If we live our lives in such a way that we’re constantly helping others and neglect our own health, we may find ourselves so overwhelmed and too sick to take care of anyone.

• Make a date with yourself, for 15 minutes a day (or more! if you can spare it).
• Do something that makes you smile.

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Please check around your seat for any personal belongings you may have brought onboard with you and please use caution when opening the overhead bins, as heavy articles may have shifted around during the flight.

On behalf of Joyful Living Airlines and the entire crew, I’d like to thank you for joining us on this trip and we are looking forward to seeing you onboard again in the near future. Have a great life!