Stargazing Guy

– Neil A Armstrong (5 August 1930 – 25 August 2012)

The first human to stand on the Moon! What a guy! With Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins in lunar orbit, the first two human beings to stand somewhere that isn’t the Earth.

Did he say the above quote? Whether he did or didn’t what does it mean?

Sometimes it’s quoted as “shoot for the moon because if you fall short, you will land amongst the star”, which is often attributed to Norman Vincent Peale, a minister and author who was known for his teachings on positive thinking.

Neil’s version makes more sense – the stars are further than the moon, so if you do miss the stars you might hit the moon.

Both ideas carry the same imagery, that if you aim high, even if you fail to achieve your lofty goals you will still achieve far more than if you have no ambition.

I prefer the more astronomically accurate misquote, “Shoot for the stars but if you happen to miss, shoot for the moon instead”. It carries the same idea but I think it conveys that meaning more clearly.

In life it pays to have BHAG’s (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) – BHAG’s are bold long-term goals, typically spanning from 10 to 30 years, and expand beyond the comfort zone and are emotionally compelling, like J.F Kennedy’s goal to put a man on the moon before the next decade starts. At that time it was an audacious goal, and it was a clear and long-term goal.

BHAG’s are not only for nations and companies but also applicable to individuals. To be successful as individuals, we need to set daring goals that captivate us and reflect our core values. A BHAG functions as your North Star and gives you direction and guidance.

Neil, Buzz and Mike – truly inspiring figures, definite all-american hereos, and all round good guys.

Whether the quote is accurate or not is irrelevant. The meaning is dream big and go large, but remember:

PS: I love coffee. BuyMeACoffee, leave a message with a date and time and we can share it, remotely, at the same time, and think about the Cosmos.

In the meantime, take care of yourself and if you can, someone else, too, because as Adam Smith said, “we naturally desire not only to be loved but to be lovely”.

Credit for opening image: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a11/images11.html