10 ways to NASA your life.

The NASA mission is simple:

“For the benefit of all we make Air and Space available for everyone”.

It is hard to find air and space for yourself, let alone everyone. How can we learn from NASA?

Dr. Ellen Ochoa, was the first Hispanic woman to go to space and former Director of the Johnson Space Center. Yesterday Dr. Ochoa spoke at our Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner team “Space Camp” retreat. Listening to the experiences and lessons, I realized NASA principles can be applied to our lives.

The most ambitious, exploratory missions can be channeled within us, right here on planet earth.?

1.??????“Live on frontiers”. Constantly seek to push the limits of your knowledge. Push your boundaries to break past them and discover new galaxies of possibility.

2.??????“Train to survive in emergencies”. Understand your limits to become resilient when you reach them.

3.??????“You have to hold on or you fly through the cabin”. We all float through the zero gravity space cabin of life. Be mindful when to hold on and when to let go and let the universe take control.

4.??????“Complete your tasks and close the hatch”. Set goals, be clear and specific, complete them and move on.

5.???????“Have your drogue chute ready to avoid wear and tear”. Understand what you need to do to quickly slow down as you hurtle towards the runway and danger. That way you can land safely, refuel and fly again.

6.??????“Fire has two temperatures, one on earth and one in space”. You burn differently in different environments. Stay true to yourself however be aware of how and where you are using your valuable spark.

7.??????“Hug people when they arrive but don’t let them stay on your shuttle beyond their welcome”. You have limited time in life. Find the right people, embrace them. Understand why people are in your life and importantly, when they are no longer enhancing your journey. ?

8.??????“Focus on today’s mission while looking to tomorrow’s mission”. Give time and attention to complete your goals today. Be clear on where those will take you and what will be next.

9.??????“Help the next up and welcome diverse thinking”. Look around you and see who you can teach and help become better. Know that you can be better too and seek to have diverse, challenging circles around you.

10.??“Stop and enjoy the view but don’t get too distracted by the River Nile”. It’s important to take a moment to take in the beauty of life, but be careful not to daydream too long and miss opportunities.?

Our inner universes are as vast as space. We can gain inspiration from people like Dr. Ochoa who do incredible things and show us the potential of the human spirit. As we hurtle though space on this beautiful rock, piloting our shuttles we can use these tactics to stay safely on course!

Like life:

“..human space flight, it is an emotional endeavor. It brings the highest highs and the lowest lows.” … “Don’t be afraid to reach for the stars.”?- Dr. Ellen Ochoa.