Wilbur spoke to the Western Society of Engineers, in Chicago, Ill. While this second lecture talked about their flying experiments, in his first speech to the group, in September, 1901, Wilbur compared learning to fly to riding a horse.

"Now, there are two ways of learning how to ride a fractious horse: one is to get on him and learn by actual practice how each motion and trick may be best met; the other is to sit on a fence and watch the beast a while, and then retire to the house and at leisure figure out the best way of overcoming his jumps and kicks. The latter system is the safest; but the former, on the whole, turns out the larger proportion of good riders. It is very much the same in learning to ride a flying machine; if you are looking for perfect safety, you will do well to sit on a fence and watch the birds; but if you really wish to learn, you must mount a machine and become acquainted with its tricks by actual trial."

The same metaphor can be used to describe life - you can passively sit on the fence and watch other people live their lives with excitement and interest, or you can learn life's tricks by actually participating. It's only through active participation in life that you can find deep and profound success.

Wilbur understood the need to take action as the necessary first step towards reaching a goal.

Before the day ends, take action. Do something. Anything. Remember, any step, in nearly any direction, is good and will move you closer to your dreams.
 

home

Soar to Success the Wright Way © 2003-2004 by Jim Meisner, Jr.