Moonshot

1. One in a Million is Not Zero: Pursue Your Dreams

"One in a million is not zero," I thought. "It's just a really small number: 0.000001."

Never give up on your dreams. The odds of becoming an astronaut may seem insurmountable, but they're not zero. Mike Massimino's journey from a working-class kid with bad eyesight to a NASA astronaut illustrates the power of persistence. He faced numerous setbacks, including:

• Multiple rejections from NASA
• Medical disqualification due to poor eyesight
• Failed qualifying exams and pilot's license tests

Despite these challenges, Massimino persevered. He worked tirelessly to improve his eyesight through vision training and continued to apply to NASA. His determination paid off when he was finally accepted into the Astronaut Class of 1996.

The lesson is clear: as long as you keep trying, there's always a chance of success. The only way to guarantee failure is to give up. Whether you're pursuing a career in space or any other ambitious goal, remember that one in a million is not zero.

2. Trust Your Training, Gear, and Team

"Trust Your Training, Trust Your Gear, and Trust Your Team. If you keep that thought in the fore of your mind, you can do anything."

Confidence comes from preparation. When facing daunting challenges, like spacewalking or any high-stakes situation, it's natural to feel scared. However, Massimino emphasizes the importance of trusting three key elements:

1. Your training: Trust that you've been well-prepared for the task at hand.
2. Your gear: Have confidence in the equipment and technology supporting you.
3. Your team: Believe in the people who've trained you and will support you during the mission.

This mantra applies beyond space missions. In any challenging situation:

• Remind yourself of your preparation and experience
• Trust the tools and resources at your disposal
• Have faith in your support network

By trusting these elements, you can overcome fear and perform at your best, even in the most intimidating circumstances.

3. Speak Up: Communication is Key

"If you see something wrong, or you do something wrong, let people know."

Open communication saves lives. In high-stakes environments like spaceflight, speaking up about potential issues is crucial. Massimino learned this lesson early in his career when he failed to alert his pilot about a heading change, nearly causing a mid-air collision.

Key takeaways on effective communication:

• Don't assume others know what you know
• Voice your concerns, even if you're uncertain
• Encourage a culture where everyone feels comfortable speaking up
• Listen actively when others raise concerns

This principle extends beyond spaceflight to any workplace or team environment. Creating an atmosphere where people feel safe to voice their observations and concerns can prevent errors, improve efficiency, and potentially save lives.

4. Slow Down to Speed Up: Hoot's Law

"No matter how bad things may seem, you can always make it worse."

Patience prevents catastrophe. Hoot's Law, named after astronaut Robert "Hoot" Gibson, emphasizes the importance of slowing down in stressful situations to avoid exacerbating problems. Massimino experienced this firsthand during a spacewalk when he got tangled in his safety tether.

Key principles of Hoot's Law:

• Take a moment to assess the situation before acting
• Use the "Two-Person Rule": Have someone double-check critical actions
• Remember: "Go slow to go fast"

By resisting the urge to rush and panic, you can avoid making a bad situation worse. This approach applies to any high-pressure scenario, from spaceflight to everyday problem-solving. Taking a breath and carefully considering your actions often leads to quicker, more effective solutions in the long run.

5. The First Rule of Leadership: Admire Everyone

"The First Rule of Leadership is to find a way to admire and care about every member of your team."

Effective leadership builds on relationships. Massimino learned this valuable lesson from Apollo astronaut Alan Bean. The key to being a great leader is not just about managing tasks, but about genuinely caring for and admiring every team member.

Practical ways to implement this rule:

• Take time to get to know each team member personally
• Find something to admire in everyone, even those you find challenging
• Create a "Bank of Good Thoughts" about each person to draw from during conflicts
• Recognize that diversity of thought and personality strengthens the team

By fostering an environment of mutual respect and admiration, leaders can build stronger, more cohesive teams capable of tackling even the most complex challenges. This approach not only improves team performance but also creates a more positive and fulfilling work environment for everyone involved.

6. Be Your Team's Mission Control

"When you suspect that someone in your professional or personal life might be going through a difficult time at work or at home, check in on them. Be their CAPCOM."

Support is crucial in tough times. Just as astronauts rely on CAPCOM (Capsule Communicator) for support during missions, people in our personal and professional lives need someone to lean on during challenging times. Massimino experienced this firsthand when his CAPCOM, Dan Burbank, helped him through a critical problem during a spacewalk.

Ways to be a supportive "CAPCOM" for others:

• Check in regularly with colleagues, friends, and family
• Offer a listening ear without judgment
• Provide reassurance and encouragement
• Help brainstorm solutions to problems

By being there for others during their moments of need, we not only help them through difficult times but also strengthen our relationships and build a more supportive community. Remember, everyone needs a lifeline sometimes, and you can be that crucial connection for someone in need.

7. The Thirty-Second Rule: Learn from Mistakes

"When you make a mistake, give yourself thirty seconds of regret. Take a time-out. Feel miserable. Berate yourself. Beat yourself up. Say all the horrible things to yourself that you want to say—only, you know, do it silently in your head so you don't scare the people sitting next to you."

Process mistakes quickly and move on. Massimino developed the Thirty-Second Rule to deal with mistakes effectively, especially in high-pressure situations like spacewalks. This approach allows you to acknowledge your error, feel the regret, and then refocus on the task at hand.

How to apply the Thirty-Second Rule:

1. Allow yourself 30 seconds of intense self-criticism
2. Identify the specific regret and lesson learned
3. Commit to not repeating the mistake
4. Move on and refocus on your current responsibilities

This method helps prevent dwelling on errors, which can be detrimental to performance and morale. By processing mistakes quickly and constructively, you can maintain focus, learn from your errors, and continue to perform at your best, even in challenging situations.

8. Choose to Be Amazed: Appreciate Life's Wonders

"If you want to be amazed, you don't have to go to space and get smacked in the face by the miracle that is our planet. It helps, sure, but it's not strictly necessary. The amazing thing about being amazed is that it can also be a choice, a simple choice you make every morning when you wake up."

Cultivate a sense of wonder. Massimino's experiences in space gave him a profound appreciation for the beauty of Earth and the universe. However, he emphasizes that we don't need to go to space to be amazed by the world around us.

Ways to choose amazement in everyday life:

• Take time to appreciate nature's beauty
• Marvel at human achievements and creativity
• Use all five senses to fully experience your surroundings
• Reflect on the miracle of existence and consciousness

By consciously choosing to be amazed, we can find joy and inspiration in our daily lives, maintain perspective during challenging times, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the world we inhabit. This mindset not only enhances our personal experiences but can also motivate us to protect and cherish our planet and its resources.

9. Embrace Change: Know When to Pivot

"Change is inevitable. Accept and embrace it."

Adaptability is crucial for success. Massimino's career transition from astronaut to educator and public figure illustrates the importance of embracing change. As the Space Shuttle Program ended and NASA transitioned to new technologies and commercial partnerships, he recognized the need to pivot his own career.

Key strategies for navigating change:

• Stay open to new opportunities and technologies
• Recognize when it's time to step aside and let new ideas take the lead
• Identify transferable skills and passions that can guide your next move
• View change as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat

By accepting and embracing change, we can turn potentially disruptive transitions into opportunities for personal and professional growth. Whether it's adapting to new technologies in your field or making a complete career change, maintaining a flexible and positive attitude towards change can lead to unexpected and rewarding paths.

Last updated: April 15, 2025