I’ve often found that I am a sucker for letting things get in the way of my ultimate plan.  Now that I am an expert, I have discovered that being aware of my road blocks is the key to bypassing them.

So in my infinite wisdom of being self-help guru/aviation enthusiast, I thought I would share what I think may get in the way of your dreams.

#4 Your Friends and Family

Ouch!!! Ok, ok, I know that this seems pretty harsh! These are the people that are supposed to help and support you throughout your journey!  Don’t get me wrong, there are PLENTY of friends and family that will encourage you and keep your head up when you get down in the dumps.  I also know, however, that many friends and family (in the name of protecting you, of course) can sometimes say things that crush your dreams (and hurt our feelings)!

Now, not to get into too much self-disclosure, but my lovely mother was COMPLETELY against me flying in ANYTHING.  This doesn’t mean she doesn’t love me, or she thinks I can’t do it, it just means she’s being a mom.  I’ve heard from a few future pilots that their family doesn’t necessarily agree with their flying aspirations, and I am here to tell you, it’s ok.

Do This: The next time you hear something negative, simply listen and try and understand their point.  That doesn’t mean you have to like it or agree!  Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and trust me, if we were to listen to everyone’s, our heads would explode.  Pick a goal, and go for it. You are doing what you feel is right, and THAT’S WHAT YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO DO.

#3 Paperwork. Lots of Paperwork

Yikes.  We start off in elementary school with stacks of spelling papers, and math equations. High school gets worse, and college…forget about it!!! It is all something we are familiar with, yet often despise with an undying passion.

Sometimes we look at a goal and it literally seems impossible, right? “Holy cow, that guy has a PhD in Bio-Nuclear Engineering!” (Wait, what IS Bio-Nuclear Engineering? Haha!)

In my particular case, a year ago I opened a business that we’ll call, “Kelly’s Awesome Fly Traps.”  Ok, it’s not a fly trap store, but it’s a real life business.  Looking at the bigger picture scared the living daylights out of me.  A year later, I am still taking things in little pieces and things are going really well! Who knew?!

Do This: Take EVERYTHING in pieces. Everything.  People don’t wake up and have a PhD. It takes YEARS of hard work and little, tiny steps.  Stop looking at the bigger, intimidating picture.  Take flight school for example.  People don’t wake up and know how to fly a jet. They stick to their plan, study hard, focus and keep plugging away. It’s not impossible…so just DO IT.

#2 Eyesight.  Yes, I said it. Don’t cry

Eyesight and vision are the single most frequently asked question that we get.

Fighter Pilot vision requirements generally fall into 1 of 4 categories:

1. Distant Vision
2. Near Vision
3. Color Vision
4. Depth Perception

For each of the services, you will have to pass all 4 to be eligible for a fighter pilot’s slot. For the first two, the standards are as follows:

Air Force Vision Requirements

Distant Vision: 20/70, correctable to 20/20.
Near Vision: 20/20

Navy / Marine Corps Vision Requirements:

Distant Vision: 20/40, correctable to 20/20.
Near Vision: 20/20

First, most people think they have to have 20/20 to get a flight slot. This is just a myth…a hold-over from a long time ago.

Next, when the regulations say, “correctable to 20/20” they mean is that if you have 20/40 vision, but can wear contacts or glasses and see 20/20, you will pass. But, be careful, hard contacts are usually disqualifying.

Here is the good news: if your eyesight is marginal or worse, you still stand a very good chance of getting into a flight program.

Check out more at:  www.becomefighterpilot.com

Do This: Get your butt moving forward and DO something about it.

1. Avoid or minimize exposure to the most common ways that deteriorate your vision. They are:

a. Wearing glasses or contacts.
b. Reading.
c. Aging (ok, you can’t avoid it, but try).
d. Computer use (but don’t stop just yet!) ?
e. Lack of proper nutrients.
f. Squinting or straining to see.
g. Not exercising your eyes.

2. Invest in an eye exercise program to improve or maintain your vision. It does work!

http://www.FighterPilotVision.com

Whatever route you take, don’t let this small detail freak you out. It’s NOT the end of the world if you’re not perfect!

#1 You

I promise you, YOU are your biggest roadblock.  That sounds crazy, right?! But think about it. How cool is it that you control your own destiny? No one else can make decisions for you, and ultimately you get to decide what route you take! If that doesn’t get you excited about your future, what will?!

Do This:

1. Stop being scared!
2. Stop telling yourself you can’t.
3. Stop comparing yourself to others (that’s a killer).
4. Stop letting others dictate your emotions.
5. Stop looking at the overwhelming stuff, and take it piece by piece.
6. Do your homework!
7. Create a goal(s).
8. Stay focused; and
9. HAVE FUN!!! Life is a pretty cool experience, so enjoy it, future fighter pilot!