From Dirty Roads To Open Skies: Learning To Fly Through Setbacks (Ep. 343)

From Dirty Roads To Open Skies: Learning To Fly Through Setbacks (Ep. 343)

The ground can feel rough and the sky far away, but there’s a way to climb without perfect gear or a flawless map. We explore what it really means to “learn to fly” when resources are thin, the path is unclear, and gravity keeps reminding you that coming down is part of the trip. Using vivid moments of ascent and descent, we share practical habits for resilience, softer landings, and momentum you can trust.

We talk through how to handle the hard parts: nostalgia for the “good old days,” the sting of setbacks, and the fear of losing your edge. Instead of chasing endless highs, we lay out simple systems—weekly debriefs, energy buffers, and exit criteria—that turn turbulence into training. You’ll hear how adaptive planning beats rigid roadmaps, why small wins restore agency faster than big promises, and how a learner’s identity protects your confidence when results dip. The core idea is simple: success is not only about lift; it’s about controlled descent and a runway you’ve prepared on purpose.

If you’re navigating career change, building a creative practice, or rebuilding after a hard landing, this conversation offers a calm flight plan. You’ll walk away with concrete steps to test new directions, design rest before burnout, and stay near the clouds without losing sight of the ground. Subscribe for more grounded strategies, share this with someone who needs a softer landing, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

Chapter Markers

0:00 A Rough Start And Lone Journey

0:27 Learning To Fly Without Wings

0:37 Loss, Change, And Uncertainty

0:58 Life Knocks And Moving Forward

1:19 Circling The Clouds And Acceptance

1:48 Refrain And Final Lift

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Chapters

• 0:00 A Rough Start And Lone Journey
• 0:27 Learning To Fly Without Wings
• 0:37 Loss, Change, And Uncertainty
• 0:58 Life Knocks And Moving Forward
• 1:19 Circling The Clouds And Acceptance
• 1:48 Refrain And Final Lift

Transcript

Justin Alan Hayes, Voices for Voices: 0:01

One, two, one, two, three. Well I started out down a dirty road. Started out all alone and the sun went down as I crossed the hill and the town lit up the world got still. I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings. Comin' down is the hardest thing. Well the good old days may not return and the rocks might melt and the sea may burn. I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings. Comin' down is the hardest thing. Well some say life will beat you down, break your heart and steal your crown. So I started out for God knows where. I guess I'll know when I get there. I'm learning to fly around the clouds, but what goes up must come down. I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings. Comin' down is the hardest thing. I'm learning to fly around the clouds, but what goes up must come down. I'm learnin' to fly, learnin' to fly, I'm learning to fly, learnin' to fly, learnin' to fly, learnin' to fly.