Extraordinary Business

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A few days ago we celebrated the 40th anniversary of Apollo 13. Though I was too young to remember when it happened, I know enough through history and the media to understand how important of an event this was.

Here's a recap for those younger than me who haven't at least seen the movie with Tom Hanks. Apollo 13 was one of several trips to the moon that the US made between 1969 and 1972. It was the only one that was scheduled to land on the moon but didn't. Early in the flight a malfunction created an explosion that damaged the craft and placed the lives of its passengers in jeopardy. The decision was made to use the gravity of the moon to bring the astronauts back as it was their best chance for survival. Enduring harsh conditions, the astronauts made use of their damaged craft and with the assistance of some very talented people on Earth, plus a little luck, managed to get back home safely.

The fact that these men survived when you consider the technology they were using is amazing. It represents what we as humans are capable of when we go beyond what we believe we are capable of. One of the challenges highlighted in the movie demonstrates our potential. At one point, the astronauts were using up all of their oxygen. The scrubbers designed to remove the CO2 from the air in the lunar lander was not designed to support three people or last as long as it was tasked for. To make matters worse, the filters in the module were not designed to fit in the lander. In order to give the astronauts enough oxygen to get back, the engineers on the ground had to literally figure out a way for a square filter to fit in a round hole. Under a severe time crunch and extreme pressure they were able to work a solution using the limited materials found on the craft at that time. This was just one of the many challenges that the astronauts and ground crew faced throughout their ordeal.

The success of Apollo 13 in spite of all its failures meant a great deal to our country during a difficult time. It demonstrated our ability to adapt to ever changing situations and to overcome many obstacles. We all face challenges in our lives. Hopefully none of us will have to go through the challenges these astronauts endured, and the reality is there are many who will face similar issues where it may seem like all hope is lost. No matter what your circumstances may be, know this: You are the only one who has the power to change your outcomes. When you use your mind and tap in to your talents, only then will you realize what you are capable of.

Labels: "Apollo 13", "Dan Paulson", "Daniel Paulson", "InVision Business Development", "Lunar Landing", Apollo, Business, Business Coaching, courage, Leadership, Personal Development, Strategy