A few years ago, my sister and I were first to board a flight to Norfolk, Virginia. Just as we approached the plane, a mechanic blocked the doorway and urgently told the flight attendant, "We got problems!"
Soon, we were back in the terminal, then re-boarded. I waited for the pilot's reassuring explanation. Surely pilots are trained to calm passengers?
Unfortunately, this pilot seemed to have missed that class. His voice boomed: "Sorry for the delay. We had no power. We have a generator on the ground and will jump-start the engines. Once they're going, we'll get up in the air, head to Norfolk, and see what happens."
Click.
That was it. See what happens? Couldn't we have a better plan?
I could only laugh nervously. One woman yelled, "Oh no! We are going to crash!" A wave of anxiety swept the cabin. Thirty minutes later, the pilot returned: "Ladies and gentlemen, I know you're frustrated—so are we. We only have one engine going, and it's working double time."
Click.
A collective moan arose. We felt trapped in an aluminum casket, a vessel of doom. The pilot's plan was simply to get airborne and see what happens.
And we did. We took off. And what happened? Nothing but normal flight. Upon landing in Norfolk, applause erupted as everyone simultaneously sighed in relief.
While I prefer a more detailed plan than "see what happens" when flying, it's not a bad life strategy. Too often, people freeze, waiting for all the pieces or a guaranteed outcome. But you'll never have all the pieces. Success is never guaranteed. The best you can do is get up in the air, and see what happens. Adjustments can be made mid-flight—or mid-process.
If you want to start a business: Get up in the air, and see what happens! Don't list reasons why you can't. Don't wait for everything to be perfect. You never will.
If you want to make a friend: Say "Hello"; get up in the air, and see what happens! Don't overthink the conversation—improvise and adjust. Don't stay on the runway fearing the flight is doomed. In friendship, the only doomed flights are those never attempted.
If you want to learn a new skill: Get up in the air, and see what happens! It might be easier, or you smarter, than you think. It could be fun!
When traveling, I still hope for a pilot with a plan beyond "we will see what happens." But in life, it's a strategy worth trying.