Driving near the airport the other day I was stunned by how close the approaching plane seemed to be to the roof of my car. Once I got over that thought, I was struck by the look of the landing gear. It was very complicated and mechanical and rather unsightly. My unconscious image of an aircraft is a thing of beauty; Sleek lines, rounded surfaces, glossy finish and birdlike grace. My sensibilities were almost offended by the clumsy looking landing apparatus. Alas….no one wants to board a plane without wheels. Take off and landing become dangerous, with the chances of success minimal. Consider that landing gear the equivalent of the time, patience, and work that it takes to succeed in any worthwhile venture. Those projects may require research, education, blueprints, capital, supplies, supervision, production, personnel, oversight, prototypes, focus groups, and on and on. Next time you are faced with creating an action plan in order to proceed with a project of your own, think about the non-glamorous nature of the landing gear, how function over form is vital to the achievement of the goal. Preparation is required whenever something of substance is attempted. Think about how high you will fly, and how graceful you will appear, when those first steps have been taken and then recede into your body of work.