I just heard a new phrase is making the rounds at Chick-fil-A: “We’re building the plane while we’re flying it.” It’s used to describe the situation caused by the crazy good year over year growth we’ve experienced the last several years . It forces us to solve problems quickly and to iterate, launch, and “fly” before we’re totally comfortable.

However, think about this. There are only three options:

1. Don’t build the plane.
2. Build the plane before you fly.
3. Build the plane while you fly.

The problem with the first two is that you’re not flying. In the last, you’re already flying. And flying, in business, is satisfying customers and making money. Everything depends on flying. And when the wind is favorable, you need to fly, ready or not.

If you’re building a plane before you fly, you better have a jet engine, wings, flaps, controls, and crash landing procedures…maybe a few other components. But with a lot less than you think, you can get off the ground. You. Can. Fly.

Comfortable seats, luggage storage, in-flight entertainment…you don’t NEED that to fly. You can build it while you fly.

Stop Procrastinating. Start Flying.

Question: What plane do you need to build while you fly?
What’s the next step you can take?