Shoot for the Moon

                                                        Richard Wiseman

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you’ll land on the stars” said author Norman Vincent Peale. Several years ago, the idea of humans landing on the moon was an impossible feat.  But, President John F. Kennedy’s promise turned into a reality for the first time in history when Neil Armstrong stepped on the lunar landscape on July 20, 1969. Scientists and astronauts of NASA gave new life to an otherwise science fiction story. The giant leap for mankind was the result of the indomitable spirit and ceaseless struggle to achieve the impossible. The book Shoot for the Moon (2019) by Richard Wiseman will transform your lives with the Apollo mindset, inspiring and daring you to be a trailblazer.

Defining the purpose and generating a meaning for what you do, is the secret to be motivated. It was the vision to popularise the American dream and values of freedom and democracy that fuelled the Apollo team with its mission to the moon. Finding the right purpose can have a tremendous impact on your goal and the lives benefited from it. In 2007, when psychologist Adam Grant made the call centre of University of Pennsylvania, which is in charge of granting programs to help financially backward students, aware of the difference they were making in other people’s life, their productivity soared high with a 171 percent increase in the funds collected. Similarly, instilling a competitive edge in the things you do will push you harder to touch the finish line. The cosmic battle between the US and Soviet Union was also a primary driving force for NASA to climb up the greasy pole. Numerous studies on motivating factors conducted showed that, facing a healthy competitor increased the performance levels.

Recharge your brain by taking a good nap. Taking breaks in between does not imply that you are a lazy person, they are necessary for implementing creative ideas. It was the breakthrough Lunar Orbit Rendezvous idea that made landing on the moon achievable. The idea was a product of several month’s input, weighing the pros and cons of the situation by the NASA scientists. Exercise breaks are extremely helpful during strenuous situations. Taking a walk, spending some considerable time in a gym or meditating are really good for rejuvenating yourself. Personalities like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg also promote taking short breaks during their hectic schedules. Interestingly, huge companies like Google and Nike encourage their workers to have a goodnight’s sleep, because it increases their productivity.

Cultivating optimism and having a positive outlook on life is the energy drink that pushes you forward. Everyone is surrounded by numerous problems that often obstructs your journey. Only those who harness positivity can climb the Everest of life. Helen Keller is the synonym for courage where she triumphed over her defects to be the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Cherishing good memories like, winning a trophy or scoring high in a test, and having inspiring role models, will urge you to keep a steady momentum. Entertaining a growth mind-set will do wonders in you. The readiness to accept your flaws is the key to personal growth. Do you know why some people fail so easily in life? It’s because they accept failure even before they try. This is what psychologist Carol Dweck called a fixed mind-set. This mindset will chain you down and curb your true potential, eventually falling prey to limiting thoughts and prejudices. But it’s the growth mind-set that motivates you to aim for the sky and shoot for the moon. 

The difference between a December and a January can be tricky. Do you agree? As part of a research in 2014, an economist, of Florida University, Yanping Tu gave participants a six-month deadline to open a bank account. One group was given a June- December deadline and the other, July- January time period. It was found that the January group procrastinated the work more, thinking as it was the next year, they had enough time to complete the work compared to the December group. Framing a smart deadline is essential for completion of the goal. Also, achieving the short-term goals first, that lead to the fruition of long-term goals and taking things step by step is the vaccine for procrastination. 

Take risks to achieve big. The daring decision made by Gerry Griffin, the lead flight director of Apollo 12 spacecraft, during the toughest moment where the rocket was struck by lightning, made the mission a success. Risk taking doesn’t ensure a smooth journey, it is accompanied by threatening encounters. Anticipating the danger and preparing for all kinds of situations that could possibly go wrong will save you from panic attacks. Yet still, with all the necessary precautions there might be loopholes in the perfect plan. So it’s important to adapt to the unexpected situations, because ultimately your hard work pays off, making you happy and satisfied.

It was not mere luck or a miracle that took humans to the moon. It was the fascination to reach beyond something that was denied by labelling it as ‘impossible.’ The Apollo mindset teaches you that anything is possible if you believe in the power of your mind and abilities to make a change. So, shoot for the moon, because you can and you will land on the moon.                              #IAS Academy in Chennai
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