From Autopilot to Altitude: Chart Your Course for the New Year

stephaniejohnson
Dec 27, 2025
2 min read

Awareness is your runway. Intention is your lift.

As we prepare for a new year, I invite you to step into the cockpit of your own life and work. Before you take off into new goals and ambitions, consider this: every great pilot knows the value of a pause—a moment on the flight deck to check instruments, review the flight plan, and ensure the journey ahead is intentional.

Are You on Autopilot?

In my work with individuals and teams, I see it all the time: talented people flying on autopilot. Not because they lack motivation or tools, but because the pace of life and work makes it easy to react rather than reflect.

This year, let’s do it differently. Let’s pause, notice our patterns, and choose our heading with intention.

Meet the Four Pilots: Which One Are You?

At Cornerstone, we use an aviation-inspired framework to help you understand your unique style:

Poll_Editor_Question_Placeholder

0%Which personality type are you?
0%EP – The Connector Jet (Extroverted/People)
0%ET – The Command Jet (Extroverted/Task)
0%IP – The Trust Helicopter (Introverted/People)

Why the Pause Matters

No matter your pilot style, the pause is your pre-flight checklist. It’s the moment to:

Interrupt autopilot reactions
Notice what’s driving your decisions
Create space for clarity and better choices

Without it, even the best tools can amplify confusion instead of insight.

Your Flight Plan for the New Year

As you chart your course, ask yourself:

What did I learn from last year’s flights?
What patterns help me soar—and which keep me circling the runway?
Where could I benefit from slowing down before speeding up?

You don’t need to have your entire flight path mapped out. You just need a moment of awareness—a pause, a breath, a bit of gratitude for how far you’ve come.