Hi everyone,
Day 12 of the ’30 Ways To Play With Your Imposter Syndrome’ Challenge.
Today I’m using PICTURES in the email.
(Other than the usual screenshot)
#overblownmoments
Today’s theme:
How you set your autopilot determines where you go.
Today’s story:
Plane plunge after autopilot error
Key quotes:
“A FLIGHT could have been just seconds away from crashing into the ground after an incorrect autopilot setting caused the plane to plummet, an investigation has found.”
“The aircraft continued to climb to 457m but then “pitched nose-down and then descended rapidly” because autopilot was mistakenly set with a target altitude of zero.”
“Luckily the flight was recovered and continued on to land safely at Glasgow Airport.”
An autopilot can support you or destroy you.
If you’re on the ground and the autopilot is set for an altitude of zero…
… it’ll stop you from taking off too soon.
From going too high before you’re ready.
It keeps you safe.
But if you accidentally keep that setting while you’re in the air…
… you’ll suddenly nosedive at the wrong moment.
And you’ll aim for the ground when you should be aiming for the air.
It’s exactly the same with imposter syndrome.
Maybe when you’ve started out, you don’t want to get a swelled opinion of yourself too soon.
That’s healthy.
You want to stay grounded.
Almost literally.
(But definitely figuratively.)
You get so used to staying grounded…
… from not letting your opinion of yourself get too high that…
… that way of thinking becomes your autopilot.
But when you actually begin to achieve something…
… you might forget to change the settings of your autopilot.
And if that autopilot kicks in at the wrong time…
… in the middle of the air…
… you’ll head for the ground…
… and crash.
On the ground… imposter syndrome can be your friend.
A cuddly plushie that keeps you safe and comfortable.
[If you don’t have images enabled, you’re missing out on the most adorable plushie ever]
But in the air… imposter syndrome suddenly turns ugly.
A monster intent on crashing the plane.
[If you don’t have images enabled, you’re now missing out on a sweet Twilight Zone ‘Nightmare at 20,000 Feet’ reference.]
But that doesn’t mean you should get rid of your autopilot.
Or whatever fuels your particular breed of imposter syndrome.
Sometimes it’s about remembering to change the settings.
Even in the air, it’s often wise not to shoot up too suddenly.
You might find yourself at a height you can’t handle.
But remember not to nosedive towards the ground either.
For myself, I’ll try and set my autopilot on ‘current altitude’ for now.
With the goal to look up and see what to reach for.
WITHOUT my autopilot insisting I land or crash the plane prematurely.
Best wishes,
Lucus “wants to be an autopilot when he grows up” Allerton
Screenshot proof below:
(You’ll see it only if you have images enabled.)
Taken 2018-11-11 at 10.50.18 pm