What next? How do I actually use this and write?
Good question, friend.
Our Flyways Method & Planner is designed for exactly this situation. You can do it on any odd piece of paper you have lying around (although you may have received a Planner with your purchase). The Flyways Method is based on three steps:
- A reflection on the person you're writing to
- A heart-check, regarding one's true feelings and observations
- A question: Will this serve them and is the time right?
Let me demonstrate...
Imagine you're writing to Alex, a former intern you mentored for six months who is now leaving to start their first professional job in another city. The internship was initially challenging for them, but they grew tremendously and eventually excelled. You want to acknowledge both their journey and this new beginning.
Using the Flyways Method and thinking about the card themes of growth and faithfulness, you could jot down the following notes:
Step 1: See the Person
Who is Alex in this specific season of life?
- They're experiencing a mix of excitement and nervousness about leaving the familiar for something new
- They're transitioning from student/intern to professional, a significant identity shift
- They value the skills they've developed but may still doubt if they're "ready enough"
- They're facing the practical challenges of relocation and starting fresh in a new environment
Step 2: Check Your Heart
What's genuinely true about Alex?
- I've noticed how they've developed resilience when facing challenges
- I genuinely appreciate their thoughtful questions and willingness to learn
- I've seen them grow from needing constant guidance to finding creative solutions independently
- I'm proud of how they've built both technical skills and emotional intelligence
Step 3: Truth & Timeliness
What would serve Alex right now?
- Acknowledging both their accomplishments and normal feelings of uncertainty would validate their experience
- Reminding them of specific growth moments would boost confidence as they face new challenges
- Expressing continued support would help with the transition anxiety
- Focusing on their readiness rather than the loss of their presence would be most helpful
The Message
Looking at the card with the rabbit with their cheerful balloon, you might craft a message that goes something like this:
Alex,
You may not feel it, but you're ready for this next move.
Remember your first week when that database project seemed impossible? You built it brick by brick, and now you've created something remarkable—not just in your work, but in yourself.
The view from your new window will be different, but you've grown the roots needed to flourish anywhere. Those moments when you pushed through challenges weren't just about solving problems—they were about becoming someone who knows how to figure things out.
I'm here whenever you need a familiar view, but I have a feeling you'll be too busy creating your own wonderful scenery to look back too often. As it should be.
With genuine pride and excitement for your journey,
[Name]
How I Applied the Method
This example applies the Flyways Method by first deeply considering who "Alex" was in this specific season—someone transitioning between roles, likely feeling both excited and uncertain about their professional future. I focused on their current reality and observed performance rather than generic traits. This helped avoid conventional language in favour of authentic sentiments connected to real experiences ("Remember your first week when that database project seemed impossible?").
I then filtered these insights by asking what would truly serve Alex at this moment: acknowledging both accomplishments and uncertainties, providing specific confidence boosters, assuring continued support, and focusing on their readiness rather than my loss. Throughout, I subtly incorporated elements from the card image (bricks and windows) to create a message that linked to the card design.
