If you were about to board a plane and overheard the pilot say, “I don’t need a checklist—I’ve been flying for years!” would you still take that flight? Probably not.

Now, think about your business. Are you running it without that kind of common sense?

I recently coached a group of day traders alongside my friend and ex-client, Chris Hitchen. Chris is the mastermind behind a high-performance trading group. He had already given them a carefully designed checklist to follow, but most weren’t using it.

Why? Because knowing what to do and actually doing it are two different things.

I often say that many people aren’t ready for strategy-based coaching if their mindset isn’t prepared to implement the strategy. Changing behavior is tough if you don’t first change the underlying thoughts and emotions driving it.

So, instead of telling these traders to use the checklist again, I helped them change their thinking about it.

How a mindset shift happens

I shared a famous aviation story from 1935. The Boeing Model 299, later known as the B-17, was revolutionary—faster, stronger, and more capable than any plane before it. But during a test flight, an experienced pilot forgot to release a critical control lock, and the plane crashed.

The solution? Pilots began using checklists. And just like that, aviation became dramatically safer. Today, no pilot takes off without one.

When I shared this story, something shifted. One trader later wrote in their WhatsApp group:

“Pilot analogy was great. Way to humble thyself and stick to the checklist.”

What changed? Their thinking. They saw that high-status professionals—pilots and surgeons—use checklists not because they lack skill but because they know human error is inevitable.

Your actions are driven by your thoughts and emotions

Here’s how this transformation unfolded using my coaching framework:

Before the Shift:

Circumstance: Traders had access to a well-designed checklist, but most weren’t using it.

Thought: “I don’t need a checklist. I know what I’m doing.”

Emotion: Overconfidence, resistance, or overwhelm.

Action: Skipping the checklist and making emotional trading decisions.

Outcome: Inconsistent results, frustration, and financial losses.

After the Shift:

New Thought: “If pilots use checklists, why shouldn’t I?”

New Emotion: Commitment and determination.

New Action: Using the checklist before every trade.

New Outcome: More consistent decisions, potentially greater profitability.

This is the power of a mindset shift. Instead of forcing change, I created the conditions for insight to emerge.

How this applies to your business

Let’s bring this back to you. Where in your business are you resisting structure, thinking you “don’t need it”?

Consider areas like:

• * Onboarding new clients
• * Marketing and social media
• * Financial tracking
• * Delegating to your team

What if, instead of seeing systems as restrictions, you saw them as tools that free you up to make better decisions?

A checklist, for instance, doesn’t take away your creativity—it frees you to focus on the work that actually moves the needle.

Your next step

I challenge you to identify an area in your business where resistance is starting to build. Then, ask yourself: Are my thoughts about this holding me back?

If you’re looking for assistance in changing that perspective, let’s talk. Schedule a complimentary coaching call with me, and together, we’ll uncover what’s truly blocking your path.

Remember: The best entrepreneurs don’t just implement new strategies; they fundamentally shift how they see the game.

Are you ready for your breakthrough?