You Don’t Need a Plane Crash to Change Your Life

When Maryann Bruce survived US Airways Flight 1549—the "Miracle on the Hudson"—she described it this way:

"It’s as if I went to my own funeral and didn’t have to die."

That line stayed with me.

Not because it's dramatic (though it is), but because of what she did afterward.

She was on the flight that made an emergency landing on the Hudson River. You probably remember the headlines. What’s more important is what came after.

At the time, Maryann was at the top of her game, president of a financial firm. Just a few days into a new role, the plane went down. She wasn’t afraid of dying. She was focused on why she wanted to live.

That moment kicked off a complete shift. She stepped away from the chase for titles and redefined success on her terms. Today, she serves on boards that reflect her values and helps open doors for women in leadership and sports.

But surviving that crash gave her something easy to overlook when we’re busy moving fast: Perspective.

And with that new perspective, she made a choice that most people spend years postponing. She stopped chasing titles and money and started building a life aligned with her priorities: family, impact, community, and purpose.

What stood out most in our conversation wasn’t just that she changed.

It was how she saw what mattered.

She recognized that life isn’t about how long we live but how fully we live.

A Simple Test for Change

One of the most practical tools Maryann shared was a simple three-question test she uses to know when it's time to make a career or life change. No crash landing required.

Ask yourself:

1. Has there been a leadership change where you work that no longer supports you?

2. Has the company's strategy shifted in a direction that doesn't align with your skills, needs, or values?

3. Are you no longer excited to go to work when Monday morning rolls around?

If you answer "yes" to two or more, it’s a sign.

It's not necessarily a sign to quit tomorrow, but a signal to start paying attention.

You Don’t Have to Hit Rock Bottom to Wake Up

One of the biggest myths we buy into, especially in midlife, is that change must come from hitting some breaking point. But the truth is, we can choose to change without a crisis forcing our hand.

Perspective doesn't have to be something life shouts at you from the crashed plane.

You can intentionally cultivate it by asking different questions, slowing down enough to listen to your needs, and being honest about whether your life fits who you are now, not just who you used to be.

Redefining Success

For Maryann, success used to mean a title and a paycheck.

After the crash, success meant something very different:

• Growing personally and professionally

• Spending time with the people she loves

• Making a positive impact in her community

• Living with purpose, passion, and perspective

That redefinition didn’t happen because she lost everything.

It happened because she realized what she almost lost—and decided to use her second chance differently.

A Quiet Reminder for All of Us

You don’t need a plane crash to permit yourself to pivot.

You don’t need a life-or-death moment to decide your life needs to feel more like yours.

The question is simple:

What are you waiting for?

And if you're standing at a junction right now, wondering if it's time to make a change, I’d invite you to reflect on those three questions. You might be closer to your answer than you think.

#MidlifeRemix #CareerTransitions #Leadership #Perspective #ExecutiveCoaching #RedefiningSuccess #MaryannBruce #StevenMiyao #CoachingMetta

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