The Air Force Thunderbirds

The Air Force Thunderbirds were at the Gary/ChicagoInternational Airport in Gary Indiana recently. Because of its convenient location to Chicago, longer than average runways, and great facilities, the Gary Airport is often the launch point for air shows such as the Chicago Air and Water Show.

I was fortunate enough to be at the airport as the Air Force Thunderbirds were getting ready to leave to their next location. This was the morning after the air show. I was fascinated as I watched their pre-flight preparations. Every thing was done with such precision. Each move seemed carefully choreographed.

I was taken back to my days of being enlisted in the Air Force. The days of standing at attention, salutes, and reasons for each step taken. What surprised me in the case of The Thunderbirds was that even though this was not part of the air show, they were still just as focused. It did not matter whether anyone was watching or not. This was the norm for them. It's no wonder their performances are always done to perfection. They would not be able to put on the difficult shows that they do without having that focus at all times.

It made me think about the way I do my own business. Am I that focused? Do I do the absolute best whether anyone is watching or not? Am I always putting out 100%? Thanks to the Air Force Thunderbirds, I've had my own reality check.