How pilots stay on track can help accomplish your business goals

Pilots are taught the 1 in 60 rule, which states that after 60 miles a one degree error in heading will result in straying off course by one mile. Keep in mind the 1 in 60 rule isn’t just a navigation aid; it’s a mental framework designed to reinforce the importance of making constant course evaluations and corrections. The 1 in 60 Rule in Action

The people who accomplish their dreams don’t just dream. They create processes. They build systems. They establish routines that keep them on track and ensure they reach their ultimate goal. And they stay on course because they constantly evaluate their progress, and make smart corrections to their process.

Start with an extremely specific goal.

The further off course you start, the further off course you’ll wind up. That’s why setting a specific goal is so important. Say you want to grow your business. “Increase revenue” sounds great but is too vague. “Land five new customers this month” is specific, objective, and measurable. You know exactly what you

want to accomplish, which means you can create a process designed to get you there. You can’t set an accurate course until you

know exactly where you want to go.

Then, forget your goal.

If you did only $10,000 in sales last month and your target is $1 million in sales per month, the distance between here and there seems insurmountable. That’s one reason most incredibly successful people set a goal, and then focus all their attention on the creating and following a process designed to achieve that

goal. The goal still exists, but their real focus is on what they do today, and consistently do day after day.

Focus on your process.

The consequence of “error,” when you don’t achieve a goal can be considerable. Pilots use the 1 in 60 rule to remind themselves to monitor their progress and make course corrections. Don’t just correct your course along the way. Create and follow a process that is proved to work. Pick someone who has achieved what you want to achieve. Deconstruct their process, then follow it, and along the way make corrections as you learn what works best for you.