The Overview Effect
Astronauts recall what they have come to know as the Overview Effect as they have been released from the earth’s orbit into space. This effect apparently creates a cognitive shift in awareness while viewing the earth from outer space. It is the experience of seeing first-hand the reality of the Earth in space, which is immediately understood to be a tiny, fragile ball of life, “hanging in the void”, shielded and nourished by a paper-thin atmosphere. The effect invokes a sense of transcendence and connection with humanity as a whole, from which borders seem petty.
What a concept: to see humanity as a fragile collective. A day back on earth in this current age may dispel the euphoria quickly, but I’d like to think we can all bring ourselves to this transcendence if we take some time to disconnect from the chaotic divide.
An ever-favorite scene from motion picture The Pursuit of Happyness shakes me to the core with every viewing. Here, a man who has experienced way too much of life attempts to discourage his son’s limitless ambition with a reality check (before realizing the implications of his poor advice).
Is there anything worse in the world than seeing a child’s motivation destroyed by the purveyed logic of possibility? To have a young lady’s favorite stuffed animal put into the donation box because it’s time for her to grow up. To see a bully wreck a masterpiece drawing of a young person, bringing their belief in the power creative to a halted damnation. When a young person is told their favorite movie is childish or that a band they love is outside the realm of what has been deemed “cool”.
How dare any of us feel the need to diminish the power that lies in possibility as an affect of our cowardice. We all assume ourselves heroes but setting limits is not part of our job.
The great misfortune is we will never get the moment back of robbing one of their innocence, but it can be forgiven and reinvented.
Which brings us to this glorious, complicated day before us.
When did you give up on your dream?
When did failure render your brilliance a self-created myth?
When did the opinions of others become more important than your own?
When did life lose it’s magic for the sake of practicality?
I’ve got some good news…. you can get it all back…. RIGHT NOW!
The lowest point in my life was a submission to all of the above questions. I was hell-bent on accelerating my career and had become a pawn under the direction of the less-inspired. Somehow in my pursuit of becoming my best self, I completely forgot who I was, and sought direction of others to guide my path. What a profound mistake!
I suffered sleepless nights, woes in confidence and a grandiose questioning of my entire life’s effort…. then I remember a few very important things:
- Each day should be directed through that which you do well (not what others tell you you don’t).
- No one guides your path but yourself (you can follow a process but the ultimate determinant of your success is you).
- The most important part of being a team player is understanding your individual greatness.
- People are annoying, but you cannot succeed alone.
- Each day is an opportunity to reinvent yourself.
There is a reason why there are 200 people in the complaint line and none in the idea line. Life is riddled in failure. Responding to failure is possibly the most difficult thing anyone can do. We all love the stories of greatness through preparation and execution. These stories gloss over the hours and hours of falling on one’s face and the hundreds of people who advised those who are the best at what they do to try something else.
If you allow others to shame you into a compromised life path, you’ll end up sitting in a fold-out chair by a dumpster.
No one likes a person who opposes every idea posed to them. You can accept the guidance of others as the base work for your progress. The worst thing you can do is allow instruction to guide your goals. Instruction sets the nuts and bolts for how to survive but you cannot truly live unless you infuse your unique skills into your pursuit of greatness.
The moment you allow another to put a finger in your face, you have lost your unique capability to dream for yourself.
The ladder to success has a thousand rungs and many of them break on the way up. The first step is the willingness to start at the bottom. From there, if you show up first and are the last to leave, a divine opportunity is presented to you: the opportunity to share your success.
Be humble in victory and accountable in defeat!
In each day you will come across a person who is acting in narcissism. They fly into the coffee shop on their phone, talk down to service workers, touch everyone’s drinks and complain to have been given the wrong order when drinking from the cup of someone 10 places in front of them in line. This entitlement is the result of never being empowered. There are people who spend their whole lives in a bubble because they are only concerned with controlling what is small.
Criticism will never redirect ignorance!
There is a premise of expertise. That one can master their trade with 10,000 hours of commitment. I would like to propose that one who believes they have mastered their trade has submitted to a plateau of advancement.
They who assume they know everything have accepted their limits.
Life will afford you a million reasons why not to maximize your personal greatness. Those who are bold enough to take action to make their lives better have already done the hardest part of the work.
This life is yours to lead. The limitations of others are fragile roadblocks. Your roadmap is yours to design.
So, What Are You Waiting For?
Thank You for Reading,
Dave
