Listen Before Speaking

As I have grown older, I’ve learned to stay open-minded, which has become one of my most valuable habits. It has influenced many of my decisions and contributed to my professional growth. Being open-minded doesn’t mean abandoning my values; it means being humble enough to recognize that I don’t know everything and don’t have all the answers. There’s always something to learn from others.

Being open-minded isn’t always easy. As a young adult, I often believed it was my way or the highway. Looking back, I might have missed out on personal connections and business opportunities because of this attitude. Luckily, everything changed when my son was born 17 years ago. That event sparked a shift in my mindset, helping me become less selfish and more receptive to others’ perspectives, enabling me to listen better.

There have been many times when I thought I was right, only to realize later that I was wrong because I lacked key information. These experiences remind me that open-mindedness is not a trait to master once; it’s a discipline that must be practiced every day. It requires humility to consider another viewpoint and courage to admit when someone else has a better idea.

People have the right to think and speak as they wish, regardless of how wrong or ignorant we may believe them to be. We come from different backgrounds and experience life in various ways, so no two perspectives are the same. When I take the time to see life through someone else’s eyes, I become more understanding, patient, and compassionate.

Staying open-minded has helped me grow, succeed, and live with purpose, and it remains one of my strongest tools for living with zero regrets.

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Live Honorably

November 06, 2025

HONORABLE IN CHARACTER AND PURPOSE

As a young cadet then officer in the Air Force, I learn that being noble isn’t just a saying; it’s a way of life one actively chooses. It cannot be forced upon you.

As I have grown older and strive to live honorably, I have sadly seen many people hurt others to achieve their goals and attain success by exploiting others. It is discouraging to witness these individuals succeed, especially knowing how they accomplished their achievements.

Though only in high school, I have observed my son live with dignity. I have seen how coaches sometimes let team players participate in a sport where some students regularly display poor character, while my son supports from the sidelines. He does not complain to the coaches. He keeps his spirits high, continuing to lift the spirits of others on the team. He does not whine, but I notice it.

Success means more than just advancement; it’s about lifting others along the way. Be ambitious, yes, but never at the expense of others. A noble life is one where you reach your destination with your honor and integrity intact and the respect of those around you.

Stay strong, live nobly, be happy with who you are, and live a life with zero regrets.

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Time and Money: Lessons Learned on the Journey to Flight

Looking back, I wish I had understood the importance of managing both time and money much earlier in life. For years, I drifted through different careers, each offering something but none fulfilling me the way aviation does. I spent a lot of time searching for my true calling. Even though it wasn’t all wasted, I gained skills and life experience, but it definitely wasn’t planned. I hadn’t managed my time wisely, and by the time I realized what I truly loved, decades had passed.

Discovering my passion for aviation in my late forties was both exciting and intimidating. Now I had to plan carefully. I needed to reallocate my time, eliminate unnecessary distractions, and study again as if I were twenty. It has been much harder than I expected. But more importantly, I had to manage my finances. Changing careers at that age isn’t easy. I couldn’t depend on student loans or youthful flexibility. Instead, I relied on the savings I had accumulated and made tough financial choices. I cut back on luxuries, delayed immediate gratification, and lived modestly so I could afford flight training and certifications.

It taught me that budgeting isn’t about restriction; it’s about alignment. When your time and money support your passion, they become tools of empowerment, not limits. I had to live on part-time income and practice strong self-discipline, but I gained something far more valuable: the chance to wake up excited about what I do.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: budget early. Save money as if your dreams depend on it because they might someday. And protect your time, because once it’s gone, you never get it back. Budgeting time and money wisely gave me the runway to follow my passion. And now, I finally get to fly.

Want more insights on navigating life skills? Grab Flight Plan for Success here.

This book makes an excellent gift for any young adult about to graduate, offering timeless guidance as they prepare to chart their life’s course.

The Driving Force

Fueling the Journey Back to My True Passion

From a young age, I was told that if I put my mind to something, I could achieve it. And so, with a head full of dreams and a heart full of ambition, I set my sights on becoming an Air Force pilot. I studied hard, earned a degree, and received my commission. But life, as it often does, had other plans. The Soviet Union fell, and the demand for Air Force pilots dropped, leaving me on an unexpected flight plan. My ambition stayed the same, but my direction changed.

Ambition is the fuel that propels us forward, even when our plans get diverted. After leaving the Air Force, I chased success in business, started several companies, and earned a master’s degree. I wore many hats, including those of database administrator, financial advisor, realtor, and general contractor. I followed opportunity wherever it appeared. But something was always missing.

The ambition I once had for aviation never died; it was simply suppressed by life’s demands, relationships, and the struggle to maintain financial security. I made several personal and career mistakes. I married too young. I listened to others’ opinions more than my own. And for a long time, I chased the dreams of someone I wasn’t meant to be. But ambition has a funny way of whispering louder with age. And when I finally listened, I realized the truth: I never wanted to give up flying; I just hadn’t realized it yet.

In my late forties, I took a bold step. I reduced my income, lived frugally on savings, and restarted flight training. It has taken years, more than I expected, and hundreds of hours of flying to become a certified flight instructor, where I continue to work, learn, and accumulate more flight hours in hopes of flying the big aluminum. It has not been easy, but when ambition is paired with self-discipline and persistence, the unlikely becomes possible.

Writing “Flight Plan for Success” was born from that same drive. I wanted to share the lessons I’ve learned, both the good and the hard-earned, with young people on the brink of adulthood. My goal now is to help others find their way and remind them that diversions don’t mean failure; they’re just part of the story.

Ambition never truly leaves us. It is in us, waiting patiently, like a co-pilot, ready to assist when we’re prepared to soar again. I am living proof, and I’m just getting started.

Want more insights on navigating life skills? Grab a copy of “Flight Plan for Success: Navigating Life: 26 Skills from A to Z”