The Sunday Stoic: Why Moonshots matter?

Getting to the moon is no ordinary aim. To put it in perspective, it takes billions of dollars and thousands of experts to send something or someone more than a quarter of a million miles into space. So, it is not surprising that more than half of the moon-bound missions fail. Thus, a "moonshot" stands for something that is incredibly hard to attain. In business, research, or public policy, a moonshot refers to a groundbreaking goal that pushes the boundaries of innovation. Here's what makes something a moonshot:

• Aiming to reach something that feels far away.
• Using your imagination to come up with new solutions.
• Being okay with things not going perfectly.
• Teaming up with others to solve big problems.
• Making people feel inspired, even after failures.

The term "moonshot" gained prominence through NASA's Apollo program in the 1960s. President John F. Kennedy inspired the United States to land a person on the moon and ensure their safe return by the decade's end. This project was named after Apollo, the important Greek deity linked to light, music, and the Sun. Amidst the many technological challenges and looming budget worries, the program achieved the impossible: in 1969, it landed an astronaut on the moon. The Apollo project- NASA's first moonshot that landed a man on the moon- still stands as one of America's most shining moments.

In 2003, India initiated the Chandrayaan program with the objective of lunar exploration. Despite skepticism about India's capabilities as a developing nation, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) persisted. In 2008, Chandrayaan-1 successfully orbited the moon and sent a hard impact probe, confirming lunar water there. A serious setback came in 2019 with Chandrayaan-2's failed landing. Nevertheless, unfazed, the leaders of ISRO pressed on. In August 2023, Chandrayaan-3 achieved an unprecedented soft landing at the lunar south pole. Despite encountering global skepticism, challenges, and attention, Chandrayaan-3's landing has not only sparked celebrations among more than 1.4 billion Indians but also resonated across the entire global south.

Do all moonshots involve traveling to the actual Moon? Not at all. Here on Earth, consider recent successes like decoding the human genome, creating self-driving cars, and the pursuit of a cure for cancer. If we cast our minds back a few centuries, we'll find difficult but enduring feats like constructing the pyramids and the Great Wall of China. And let's not forget the audacious victory of the American Revolution – a monumental moonshot aimed at securing personal freedoms, whose significance still echoes today.

Leading a moonshot project must be tough. A moonshot brings people together to chase a huge goal that feels almost impossible. But if things don't go as planned, it can be really disappointing. This is where good leaders steps in. Instead of pointing fingers, they focus on learning from setbacks to do better next time. They teach us is that while we can't always control what happens, we can control how we react. As the Stoic philosopher Epictetus (50-135 AD) once said, "The main task in life is to separate things into those we can't control and those we can control – our choices."

In closing, humanity's pursuit of moonshots imparts important lessons. Much like leaders in space agencies, focusing on what we can control is akin to stoicism—a way of thinking that helps us confront setbacks with resilience. Just as aiming for major achievements is crucial, giving up too quickly should be avoided. Additionally, having the courage to explore fresh ideas, rather than sticking to the status quo- can facilitate real progress. To sum up, whether leading significant projects or contributing in smaller ways, let us approach our tough tasks with the mindset of a moonshot. This can inspire us to achieve what we once thought impossible. Wishing you success as you embark on your own moonshot journey.

The views expressed in this essay are my own. They do not represent the views of any individuals, employers, or organizations I may be affiliated with. While I am not an expert in Stoicism, in my personal time, I find value in reading and writing about it for personal growth and self-reflection. If you have any thoughts on combining Stoicism and leadership, I welcome your input via LinkedIn messaging. And if you found this essay helpful, please share it on your LinkedIn profile to raise awareness about Stoicism. Thank you for supporting this essay series.