DREAM A LITTLE DREAM

When I first proposed the idea of an All UK Mission to Space to my company, I have to be honest, there wasn't an immediate intake of breath, wide eyes of wonder, smiles and congratulations for creating something extraordinary, applause and claps on the back for my amazing idea...to the contrary...there were serious doubts regarding my sanity and, in some cases, outright hostility!

"Are you daft?!?"

"Who do you think you are?!?!"

"This is the stupidist idea I have ever heard!!!"

"This is NOT how space is done!!!"...

These were just a few of the reactions I encountered, both to my face and behind my back, in those initial six months.

Fortunately, I've developed a thick skin over the years—forged through numerous successes, failures, and encounters with doubters and saboteurs. I'm comfortable in my resilience.

If there is one thing I have learned in my career as a 'rainmaker' it's that my instincts are good. I have learned to rely on and trust my ability to see a path to the goal when the 'dream is just a dream'.

Key lesson number one: Transforming dreams into reality requires a clear understanding of the steps needed, adaptable as they may be.

The first thing I needed was one person to take a leap of faith with me. Someone who would take one step in one direction so that I could start building the case study that would support the 'dream'. I was lucky that one person (who still thought the idea to be completely 'hair-brained'!) was a visionary just like me. He said to me, 'Go find someone...a significant advocate...to back what you are saying and come back to me."

Key lesson number two: Secure an advocate (ambassador) who believes in your vision.

I took it a step further. I traveled to the UK and garnered support from an Astronaut, a space agency, and even a royal connection—all allies now.

My company didn't assign me a team or provide a support person. Instead, they sent me alone for two intense weeks to prove the feasibility of this ambitious dream.

During that trip, I cultivated new relationships and nurtured existing ones built over years of living and working in the UK. I identified crucial supporters who could provide honest feedback and open doors that seemed closed.

Key lesson number three: Cultivate and expand your network fearlessly.

Upon returning home, armed with what I thought was enough to silence the doubters, I realized this journey was more marathon than sprint. However, I gained a few more supporters who kept me motivated and convinced the company to continue exploring the mission with me.

What I accomplished was enough for me to be given this dream...this unique mission...as my sole project and complete ownership over it's inception. That was amazing and freaking scary at the same time. If it survived...HURRAY, I'm a rockstar!...if it failed, I was probably going to be looking for another job!

I will write more about this mission and how it is going in my next newsletter but suffice it to say, that was 1 1/2 years ago. The mission now has a slew of team members internally and externally that bring in their amazing backgrounds, experience and insight (and enthusiasm) to continue on the path to making the All UK Mission to Space a reality.