In a world where technology hurtles forward at breakneck speed, we, as human beings, often find ourselves stuck in generational progress. Our ability to think critically and effectively is under siege in this age of information overload, where a myriad of apps govern our daily lives, and each one is susceptible to change.
The pursuit of our goals can seem deceptively straightforward, yet they frequently elude our grasp. Why do we often find ourselves settling for less? Why are we perpetually in a state of compromise? In this era, productivity and busyness are synonymous, and we are trapped in the ceaseless whirlwind of doing.
Human nature thrives on being occupied, but the more frenetic our lives become, the less opportunity we have for reflection. The very conveniences designed to simplify our existence paradoxically complicate it. We yearn for a life where feeling good and pursuing meaningful endeavors are the norm. Occasionally, we may falter, and it’s at these moments that we seek ways to elevate ourselves and make meaningful strides.
In the relentless pursuit of excellence, there exists a crucial juncture where we must become the best versions of ourselves. I am about to introduce you to a paradigm shift I call the “Evolution of Thinking.” This novel approach empowers you to harness the immense potential of your mind, drawing from my firsthand experiences in the cockpit of an 18-ton high-performance fighter jet—a setting where peak human performance is not an option but a necessity for survival.
As a fighter pilot, my life hinged on understanding how the brain propels human performance. The stakes couldn’t have been higher. Your brain, I assure you, possesses untapped reservoirs of capability—a unique means of aligning your emotions, thoughts, and actions every day to experience well-being, mental clarity, and effective decision-making.
This is the essence of the fighter pilot’s existence. Fighter pilots excel at setting clear objectives, not just in the realm of flying but, more importantly, in thinking. The way we think triggers the release of powerful neurochemicals—dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins, collectively referred to as “DOSE”—within our bodies.
Deliberate introspection, akin to what fighter pilots call “debriefing,” forms the bedrock of this process. I prefer to call it the “Do loop” because, with each action, we must loop back to assess our progress, ensuring alignment between our feelings, thoughts, and actions. This loop is the key to feeling good, thinking clearly, and driving the endeavors, both personal and professional, that hold immense significance to us. This approach also solves the very problem you may be grappling with now: how to access the right information at the right time to make informed decisions.
Debriefing, as practiced by fighter pilots, resembles a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. It’s our method for transforming negative situations into actionable steps, a wellspring of hope. The challenge isn’t innovation itself; it’s the execution of innovation that often proves elusive.
We’ve imparted the fighter pilot mindset and the “flawless execution” approach to over 2 million individuals. Flawless execution recognizes that we are not infallible, but it inspires us to strive relentlessly for minimal divergence between our intentions and outcomes.
Remember, it’s entirely within your control—the environment you foster, the person you become, and the company you keep—all of it traces back to your choices. Nothing is imposed upon you; it all stems from your decisions and actions.
