Work the Problem
A story about Apollo 13 helped reshape how I approach problems.
I’ve been struggling with a technical problem recently, and it’s critical that I solve it. My burgeoning practice depends on it. The issue was driving me up the wall. So many dead ends I was hitting, and at some points, I wanted to just give up and walk away. Then I remembered Apollo 13.
Not the movie, but a documentary that was on PBS decades ago about the ill-fated moon launch.
I remember Jim Lovell, one of the astronauts on board, say that despite of the near-catastrophic failure of their ship, they still remained calm. They didn’t panic. With the help of Mission Control, and many others on the ground, they got to work.
Their mission had changed. Rather than landing on the moon, it was to get back to earth safely. And, in the words of Lovell, they worked the problem. Panic was not going to do them one bit of good. Panicking would have wasted precious time and energy. Taking action to solve the problem would solve the problem.
They splashed down safely into the Pacific Ocean, the mission deemed a “successful failure.”
The travails of Lovell, Fred Haise and Jim Swigert make my technical foibles seem like child’s play. Yet, what Lovell said in that documentary continues to ring in my ears, decades later. Work the problem. Don’t panic. We’re gonna get home.
For me, time will tell, but I think my tech issues are pretty much resolved. And that should help me show up better for my practice. No panic necessary.
Here are some lessons I learned from Apollo 13, and my recent tech escapades:
Step back—give yourself the time and space to assess where you truly are.
Self-belief—have some resolve, and some deep knowing that you can be successful in the endeavor before you.
The mission can change—be prepared to adapt.
Reach out to others—drop the ego; you can’t do it on your own
I’m Richard Taliaferro, a career and health coach helping people gain clarity on their career and health paths. Interested in how I can help you? I invite you to click on the link, and let’s talk about how I can support you.