If you want to fly, you have to let go… it’s a powerful idea that’s less about literal flight and more about achieving financial and personal freedom. It’s about identifying and releasing the anchors that hold you back from your potential. Let’s break down what that really means in practice.
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Table of Contents
Meaning
At its core, this quote means that freedom and high achievement require sacrifice. You can’t reach new heights if you’re unwilling to release the burdens—whether mental, financial, or emotional—that keep you tethered to the ground.
Explanation
Okay, so let’s get real for a second. I’ve seen this play out so many times with entrepreneurs and clients. The “things that weigh you down” aren’t just physical clutter. They’re the heavy stuff. The limiting beliefs—”I’m not good with money.” The bad debt that drains your cash flow every single month. The fear of what your family will say if you quit that stable but soul-crushing job. That’s the weight. And flying? That’s financial independence. That’s building a business that works without you. That’s having the freedom to make choices based on passion, not panic. You simply cannot have both. The plane can’t take off with the landing gear still locked down. It’s a fundamental law of physics—and of wealth creation.
Quote Summary
Reading Level60
Aesthetic Score88
Origin & Factcheck
This quote comes directly from Robert T. Kiyosaki’s 2015 book, Why the Rich Are Getting Richer. You’ll sometimes see it floating around on social media attributed to other self-help gurus or even ancient philosophers, but its true origin is firmly in Kiyosaki’s financial education world. It’s a modern distillation of his core principles.
Attribution Summary
Author Bio
Born in Hilo, Hawaii, Robert T. Kiyosaki graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and served as a Marine Corps helicopter gunship pilot in Vietnam. After stints at Xerox and entrepreneurial ventures, he turned to financial education, co-authoring Rich Dad Poor Dad in 1997 and launching the Rich Dad brand. He invests in real estate and commodities and hosts the Rich Dad Radio Show. The Robert T. Kiyosaki book list spans personal finance classics like Cashflow Quadrant and Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing, along with educational games and seminars.
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | If you want to fly, you have to let go of the things that weigh you down |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2017, ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781612680811, Last edition: 1st Edition, Number of pages: 256 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 10, Emotional Wealth, page 178 |
Context
In the book, Kiyosaki isn’t talking about this in a fluffy, motivational way. He’s using it to explain why so many people stay in the “rat race.” They’re weighed down by what he calls “bad debt” (like consumer loans for liabilities), a traditional education that teaches them to be employees, and a mindset focused on job security instead of building assets. Letting go is about shedding that entire framework.
Usage Examples
This is where the rubber meets the road. Who is this for?
- The Aspiring Entrepreneur: Stuck in a day job but dreaming of a startup? The “weight” is the golden handcuffs—the steady paycheck and the 401k match. Flying might mean taking a part-time gig to free up time to build your MVP, even if it means a temporary pay cut. It’s a calculated release.
- The Overwhelmed Professional: Burnt out and constantly busy? The weight is the inability to delegate, the need to control every detail, the “I’ll just do it myself” mentality. Flying is building a team you trust, systemizing your work, and buying back your time. You have to let go of control to gain real freedom.
- Anyone in Debt: The weight is the monthly credit card payment, the car loan, the student debt. Flying is the feeling of being debt-free. It means letting go of the lifestyle that created that debt—the dinners out, the new gadgets—to channel every spare dollar into paying it off. Short-term pain for long-term flight.
To whom it appeals?
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FAQ
Question: How do I even know what’s weighing me down?
Answer: Great question. It starts with a brutally honest audit. Look at your bank statements. Track your time for a week. Notice what thoughts pop up when you think about making a big change. The things that cause you stress, drain your money, or consume your time with little return—that’s your weight.
Question: Isn’t this just about being ruthless and cutting people out of your life?
Answer: Not at all. While toxic relationships can be a weight, Kiyosaki is primarily focused on financial and mental baggage. It’s about systems and beliefs, not necessarily people. Sometimes, letting go is a internal process.
Question: What if I let go of the wrong thing?
Answer: That’s the fear, right? But here’s the thing I’ve learned: it’s better to make a decision and course-correct than to be paralyzed. Most “weights” aren’t permanent. You can often rebuild a savings account faster than you think once you’re “airborne” and thinking more clearly without the burden.
Question: Is this just for business and money?
Answer: The principle is universal. You can apply it to your health (letting go of bad habits to feel energetic), your creativity (letting go of perfectionism to actually ship your work), or your personal life. The mechanics are the same.
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