A Book Review: An Astronaut’s Guide to Life — Chris Hadfield
The way Chris Hadfield describes himself, humble, never thinking too highly of oneself, reminds me largely of Wayne Gretzky’s approach to his game. And it largely is a mindset I have yet to execute/speak of correctly. It is one where you’re clearly the best of the best, you’re clearly one among thousands whom will excel and stand out. Yet you’re humble and whatever you say, does not have a weight of coming across oblivious to the tribulations of others whom could not rise as highly as you. Yet, I’m not a typically jealous or envious individual, at least not today’s me, so I can’t really speak of how people feel when they envy / view highly of me. Instead, I keep chugging along, never sounding or speaking too highly of myself or in a way which garners people’s jealousy or envy, or simply to go thinking that I think lowly of them.
The truth is, Chris Hadfield took 21 years to believe he was worthy choice for an astronaut, worthy to command. 21 years in NASA, military piloting, to believe he was worthy.
Wayne Gretzky never took the greatest in, never dared think himself great or above all others — still does not speak that way or believe it himself. Instead, he says he spent every night playing as hard as he could, cause he knew if he played poorly, he was afraid of not getting a chance to play. I’d say that’s largely him speaking humbly — representative and considerate of the tribulations of every player of his generation, while setting the right tone as a role model, and giving some subtle credit to the hardnosed coaching style of his authorities whom ran the hockey team above him.
I’d say Chris Hadfield took the approach the same way. I particularly admire the way he said NASA reorganizes its senior positions, frequently promoting and revamping people’s roles in the company to allow others to raise up and un-burden those whom were in leadership from carrying too much for too long. It gave people opportunity, took away stress, kept people sharp, and happy, busy, stimulated, and able to put problem solvers into different problems, teams, environments, and fields. I loved that. I think that speaks volumes to how well run NASA is.
21 years later, Chris Hadfield finally felt like he belonged, that he had made a difference for the organization, for space exploration, for humanity. But even so, he never thought himself as the sole contributor or impact maker. He saw he was a piece in the large juggernaut taking a small step forward for humanity. Of course, because behind a single astronaut are hundreds of top hard-working experts making one astronaut’s dream/mission a reality. You’re clocked in from the first training day to the day you retire. And every moment in space to your meals, your sleep, your leisure, and your bathroom breaks are timed to the second, in order to efficiently coordinate, complete, and safely return everyone home.
That’s the reality of astronauts. It’s meticulously planned, rehearsed on the ground / in the water, before you perform it in space. And every single possible avenue and disaster, mistake, crisis, possibility is pre-explored, memorized in memory and skit. So when things happen, you just follow a pre-memorized matrix of possibility scenarios and outcomes and decisions, to problem solve, not to panic, and to finish the job.
If you’re an altruistic, workaholic, social, problem solving, specialist of some sort, whom lives and breathes team, routine, peek health, space, and knowledge, you’re fit for NASA.
One illness pre-flight, you’re grounded.
Small note for space travel. If you’re travelling very, very fast, clench your teeth, so that you don’t accidentally bite your tongue and bleed out.
The Russians of space travel love their own astronauts more than anyone else, they’re the top notch of their pride. If you’re not the Russian member of the space team, the officials on the landing/launch site will help you but much less willingly and enthusiastically. That’s just how much they love their own best.
Chris Hadfield stresses leading by doing, volunteering for tough tasks, and embracing the grind. You truly need to enjoy these moments and have the support of family.
Lightening the mood of the team in situations and environments is never a waste of time
AND Invest in other’s success!
Aim to be Zero
Don’t ever think like you’re above anyone else or below. You’re neither adding nor subtracting value, you think, contribute to a whole cause. 1000s of people combine to this effort. No matter the rank, the role, the task(s). Don’t try to stand out, fit-in instead.
Neil Young, about writing —
I never write a song. I just write it down, until it flows in me. Reserve judgment on an idea/work until it’s done. This way, I avoid spoiling it, ruining it from fulfilling its best potential.
Visualize Defeat. What’s the next thing that will kill you?
So you can plan for it. And anticipate solutions. Keep a pessimistic view, yet keep your attitude right. Over prepare for EVERYTHING, just in case.
An underprepared astronaut is a dead astronaut.
Overall, I loved this book. I’m not much of a planner. I fluctuate between optimism and pesimissm. I don’t prepare well. I don’t always aim to be zero. This zen thinking, I must learn to practice. What a great individual to learn from! :)
Roll the Starman song!
