1. Home
  2. Achieve your goals in small steps, not giant leaps – like NASA

Achieve your goals in small steps, not giant leaps – like NASA

Posted on • Career planning

Solar eclipse of the Moon, captured by the Artemis II crew.

Solar eclipse of the Moon, with Venus on the left. Image credit: NASA

The inspiring Artemis II mission tested the Orion spacecraft for future lunar landings. It shows ambitious goals are achieved by breaking the task into achievable, realistic steps. Apply this NASA principle to your goals. Review your goals in three minutes and generate your instant personalised ‘Actions towards goals’ checklist. Then work out your next steps with the Navigate Your Future structured activity pathway.

Plan smartly and you can reach the Moon

Be ambitious but realistic with your career plans. NASA’s plan to send humans to the Moon in 2028 and Mars in the 2030s is ambitious but grounded, and crucially, incremental. Develop your own ‘mission plan’ using the OU’s Your Career Planning Guide.

Inside the Orion spacecraft.

Artemis II Mission Specialist Christina Koch looks back at Earth. Image credit: NASA

Take test flights

NASA would like to take humans to Mars one day but focusing on the Moon in the meantime develops the right technologies and experience. The crewed flyby of the Moon in the Orion spacecraft was a test flight towards bigger things. Build your work experience is a step-by-step, structured tool to equip you to take ‘test flights’ towards your greater goals.

Document your achievements

The incredible images captured by the Artemis II mission not only inspired us, but tested for NASA’s technology and capabilities and raised new questions about the Moon’s geological history. It is useful to develop a habit of self-assessment to recognise your achievements and identify your skills. Cultivate a growth mindset to embrace challenges and allow growth and innovation.

The Orion spacecraft splashes down in the Pacific.

The Orion spacecraft splashes down in the Pacific. Image credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Prepare for a crash landing

Artemis II didn’t really ‘crash land’ back to earth; it was a carefully planned sequence of manoeuvres to splashdown in the ocean. I’m sure it was probably a bit bumpy though.

Learn how to navigate career roadblocks and bounce back from any crash landings you might experience. It’ll teach you how to adapt to change in the future.

 

Jack Renshaw is a Development Coordinator with OU Careers and Employability Services. He just wanted an excuse to look at pictures of the moon. Explore the rest of our blog for more articles from the Careers and Employability Services team.