Getting to the Moon

Joe Brodnicki
Sep 4, 2018 · 3 min read

Getting to the Moon

Novelist Rose Tremain once observed that life is not a dress rehearsal. We only get one chance at life and no amount of rehearsal will create a perfect performance. Because the show must go on, you and I must accept that we will seldom get anything right the first time. How can we avoid the perfection trap that keeps us from doing anything and still live life to the fullest?

The answer is to look at life as a series of experiments. You could be thinking that some things are too important to experiment with. But that’s not entirely true. When NASA sent people to the moon, they wanted the missions to succeed. To do that, they needed to reduce risk and variability while doing that were impossible when the project started.

They did it through a series of small, controlled experiments. They came up with a theory on how something was supposed to work and tested it. They tested different methods of propulsion, stabilization, and navigation. Early versions seldom worked as expected. If you’re seen videos of these rocket experiments, many never got off the ground. Some just fell over, while other blew up. But, through these controlled experiments, the rocket scientists always learned. They tested theories, planned, set expectations, did experiments, studied the results, and improved.

That’s how they achieved the impossible. One step, one experiment at a time.

And, it doesn’t just work in science and manufacturing. Nobel prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, a socially awkward, but adventurous college student, even used it to master the art of striking up conversations with just about anyone.

Experimenting In Your Life

When you are ready to do something new or different, set it up as an experiment. You might be launching a new business, trying out a new recipe, or working on a new parenting problem. Approach the situation with curiosity and anticipation. This is a chance to succeed at pre-defined objectives and to learn and improve.

Start with a theory, a process, and some goals. You may have a difficult conversation coming up with another person. Your outcome could be to maintain your relationship with them while getting the other person to do what they promised (say, return the $20 they borrowed). You decide to use a strategy of telling them that this is a difficult conversation, but you really need your $20 back.

Next, try out your strategy. Have the conversation. This takes some courage and curiosity, but you are prepared, and you really want your $20 back.

Then, figure out what happened, how your approached worked, and recording ways that you did well and could do it better next time.

Put these learnings to work in your next difficult conversation. You may be prepared to talk to your ex about returning your power tools stashed away in the corner of their garage!

Approach life as a series of experiments, each designed to help you live better, build your skills, and enjoy life to its fullest. Keep in mind that no performance is perfect, and the show must go on. Living well is about learning and let go of the perfection trap. You won’t make it to the moon without some experiments that go as planned. But, you are always taking one step forward if you apply what you learned to the next one.

Joe Brodnicki

Success Navigation Associates

Supporting Leadership and Positive Change Through the Ethical Use of Power, Influence, and Collaboration

joe@successnavigation.com