Last week I went to Roy Thompson Hall to see Canadian Astronaut (and sometimes musician), Commader Chris Hadfield speak. He talked about his journey in space and having a dream and making it a reality. He began his speech saying, “So I went on a trip last year… ” Uh, no kidding! I would say it was a trip that was out of this world.
Here are 5 things that I loved from his talk:
1. Visualize and train not for success, but for failure.
Yeah I know, it sounds weird, but he explained that as an Astronaut he had to train for many years before going to space. Most of their training was for what they would do if something went wrong – how they would do everything they could to avoid something going wrong and also what to do when things went wrong. In training for life and travel in their space shuttle and on the International Space Station, they did not work toward being successful, they worked toward failure. By visualizing failure, you will have confidence that if something goes wrong with your plan, you know how to fix it.
2. Have a goal and always go in the direction of achieving it.
If the path that you’re on is not working out for you in achieving your goal – you can turn around and go in a different direction. You are the boss of yourself and you are in charge of your goal and how you are going to get there. Goals come in all sizes – some will be bigger than others and some will be easier and faster to acheive. Make them. Reach for them.
3. There is a difference between dreaming something and doing something.
Chris Hadfield is proof of this. Ever since he was 7 years old he dreamed of becoming an Astronaut and going to space. So many kids and adults dream of travelling to space and exploring the universe, but so few actually get to go. Chris was inspired to be an Astronaut when he watched Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin‘s landing back on Earth on Apollo 11. He did what most don’t though, he made his dream happen. He worked hard. He studied hard. He made sure that everything that he did from the time he was a young boy, was about making his dream a reality.
4. Education is everything.
Chris Hadfield would not be an Astronaut if he did value education. He has studied more and learned more and has become an expert in more things than most of people. But what is really amazing about him is that he feels so strongly about engaging young students. He did so many awesome things while he was in space to share his experience and to teach young people about science, geography and what it means to be connected. He held weekly meetings called “The Lunch Pad” when he was on Skype with a class at lunch time and the students got to ask him questions. Sounds fun, huh? There is also an annual event called Music Monday where lots of schools come together to celebrate music. In 2013, Chris sang I.S.S (International Space Station) – a song that he co-wrote and performed with Ed Robertson from the Barenaked Ladies. When the day came to officially do it for Music Monday, he joined the performance via Skype! How cool is that? He did and recorded many experiments that he uploaded (from space) to YouTube is a big part of his goal of educating young people. Whether it was wringing a wet towel in space or making dessert in space, they are all so educational and the students want to then learn more about him and what it is really like to travel and live in space. Chris Hadfield retired after his most recent space trip and he is enjoying his life on earth and will soon be a professor at the University of Waterloo. Can you imagine how many students will be signing up for Professor Hadfield’s class? I wish I could.
5. Notice something good every single day.
This is really his secret to living a good and happy life on earth. Chris said that he was walking on the street the morning of the speech and loved the smell of the trees and all of the nature that surrounded him. I really like this idea and think that if everyone stopped and noticed all of the good things in their life, you would see what a great life you have and what a great world we live in. When you are grateful for what you have, you want to share that with others.
So, these are 5 things that I loved about what he said. What I haven’t said though, is that I also loved the way that he said it. As a speaker, he was funny, passionate and engaging. He showed some great pictures and videos of his “trip”. He did a Q&A session after his talk and took so much time to answer each of the questions. And, I almost forgot – before he began his talk he performed “Space Oddity.” I have watched the video that he recorded of ‘Space Oddity’ on his last night in space so many times and it was so cool – so very cool – to see him singing live on stage.
Starting with Space Oddity, here are my Top 5 Cmdr. Chris Hadfield videos.
Kayla says
Wow he is really inspiring I love all his videos! The music ones are cool! I also like the one about wringing out the wash cloth! Thanks for sharing these!