How to Outperform Almost Everyone

Most people go through life on autopilot.

They wake up, stare at their phones, head to work listening to pop music built on the same four chords from the last century, punch in, punch out, and then spend the rest of the evening scrolling until it’s way past their bedtime.

If that’s the life you want—no judgment. But whether you want to coast or thrive, my challenge to you is this: do it on purpose.

Train on Purpose

The weather today wasn’t bad for flight training—winds at Arlington were a direct crosswind to the active runway. Since the practice area was wide open, we chose to drill one of the most uncomfortable skills for new pilots: crosswind landings.

Crosswinds teach more than just technique—they teach discomfort tolerance. And that’s where growth lives.

We worked both the crab method (where you angle the nose into the wind to maintain track) and the wing-low method (dip the wing into the wind and apply opposite rudder to align the fuselage with the runway). This is challenging for new pilots because it feels unnatural—uncoordinated flight, steep angles, a fierce wind.

But we leaned into it. After several laps of wrestling with the wind, we switched to a different runway that was perfectly aligned. Suddenly, everything felt easy. Why? Because we had done the hard thing first.

Lesson of the day: Do hard things on purpose.

The Discipline Dividend

You can suffer the pain of being out of shape, or the pain of showing up to the gym.

You can suffer the pain of being broke, or the pain of managing your money with discipline.

You get to choose your pain—and those who choose the pain of effort consistently outperform almost everyone.

That’s why I always volunteered for the hard stuff in the military.

As an infantryman, you can stay a “leg”—someone who’s not airborne qualified—or you can go to Airborne School, get hazed, and learn how to fling yourself out of a perfectly good airplane. From there, you can step up again, attend Ranger Assessment and Selection or the Ranger Indoctrination Program, and try to earn your way into the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Every level requires more. Every level weeds out those who aren’t serious.

And every time you do something hard, you widen the gap between yourself and the people who say, “Maybe someday.”

Outperform the Masses

Want to get ahead?

• Go for that run—you’re lapping everyone still on the couch.

• Hit the gym—you’re building strength while others scroll mindlessly.

• Take a course—build your mind while others stagnate.

• Read great books—while others binge reality TV.

And even if you do want to chill at home, great. But do it on purpose. Be mindful of your time. Choose the person you want to become. Choose your flight path.

Recommended Tools for Growth

Here are a few things I recommend to anyone who wants to get serious about leveling up:

Book: Flight Plan for Leadership - Coming soon!

Top Gear for Training:

• Adjustable Dumbbells – Perfect for strength training at home.

• Garmin Pilot Watch – Great for tracking runs and flights.

• Noise-Canceling Headphones – Block out distractions, focus on purpose.

• Atomic Habits by James Clear – Build systems that lead to success.

  
  

Online Learning Platforms:

• Emerald Squadron online programs

(Affiliate links help support this blog at no extra cost to you—thank you!)

Final Thought

Whatever path you take—just do it on purpose. Whether you’re training for crosswind landings, lifting weights, reading books, or enjoying time with your family, live intentionally.

If this post inspired you, I’d love for you to check out my upcoming book, Flight Plan for Leadership, and start crafting your own mission to become the best version of yourself.

Thanks for reading—now go do something hard.