Ever since I was a young girl I was fascinated with flying. The sense of freedom and surrender that I experience while I am sitting in my seat during takeoff, the reminder of how small I really am when looking down on earth 30,000 feet in the air and the amazement at how in a few hours I can land somewhere so foreign still bogs my mind. For me, flying is a spiritual ascent, a time of reflection, an opportunity for inspirational thought and decision making or perhaps the few hours in life of having nowhere to be or nothing pressing to do.
This past Sunday the skydiver Felix Baumgartner, in a mission called Red Bull Stratos, entered a 2,900 pound capsule and jumped to Earth from a helium balloon in the stratosphere at the height of over 120,000 feet (3 times the cruising height of an airplane). As part of this 5 years-in-the-making project, he set the altitude record for a manned balloon flight, parachuted from the highest altitude and broke the speed of sound by free falling at over 800 miles per hour.
The idea that someone could pull off something like this is a testament to the development of technology, dedication of a team to a never-before-accomplished-goal and to the die-hard nature of Felix himself. He was adamant about having over 30 cameras film his mission, from cameras showcasing him inside the capsule ascending for over 2.5 hours, to those hooked to his body to capture him falling to Earth. 30 cameras that could be capturing a moment in history or perhaps the tragic moment of his death.
For me, as I sat on my computer watching him ascend, jump and land, the same feelings when I have flying overtook me. I couldn’t control myself. He was going to do something no one had done before! What was he feeling? Was he reflecting on his life? Trusting his lifeline at mission control, 84 year old Joe Kittinger, who held the record he was attempting to break? Or was he simply surrendering to the universe in between moments of going through his checklist?
His words to the world right before he jumped were “sometimes you have to be really high to see how small you really are. I’m going home now.”
A few words so eloquently expressed right before a leap of faith into the unknown.
Felix inspired me so much this past weekend.
Here are a few takeaways that I feel could contribute to your day today:
1. Trust that you can go past your limits and what has been done before you. Felix broke many records, some of which outsiders thought he was insane for even attempting. Even though something hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it cannot be done and you shouldn’t be the one to do it. In fact, it’s the reason why you should do it and why it could be done.
2. The whole is bigger than the sums. Felix had hundreds of people work together to successfully accomplish this mission. Surround yourself with people that support you in your life’s passions. Having them have your back could be the difference between a so-so payday and a big-money payday or in Felix’s case, life or death.
3. Strive for excellence in everything you do. Felix trained for 5 years for this one moment. He was prepared. Mediocrity just doesn’t cut it. People who accomplish greatness live in this stratosphere. Be great day in and day out.
4. Create check-lists. I’ve been reading a book called The Checklist Manifesto. The difference between Felix living and dying was in the hands of the checklist (he had over 30+ items on his to go through). A checklist is the recipe for success as it failure proofs whatever you are up to.
5. You never know who you will inspire. Felix had no clue so many people would tune in and watch his jump. People are interested in you – you have something unique that no one else possesses and they look to you as their inspiration. Remember that.
*Dana’s mission is to empower women worldwide to create the Fit Life that they deserve.
A sought-after Fit Life Coach, she has the innate ability to coach you in reaching your fitness goals and simultaneously drive you into discovering what you truly want in all areas of your life and directing you on how to get there. She is also the Co-Founder and CEO of fitID. Click here to inquire on how to work with Dana in-person in NYC or virtually*