Celebrating Overlooked Achievements: Lessons from Space and Beyond
How would you feel if your eight-day business trip suddenly turned into a ten-month mission?
That’s precisely what happened to astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, who launched to the International Space Station on June 5, 2024—and are still there. The image that stays with me is of them floating weightlessly after months in space, smiling and saying, “This is my happy place!”
Wow.
Given my perfectionist tendencies, I can’t help but imagine my anxiety skyrocketing by day ten, obsessing over how much longer I had to endure. I once panicked after being stuck in a subway for a few hours, wondering if I’d ever get out! That’s why I want to celebrate—and learn from—these astronauts’ ability to adapt, embrace imperfection, and find joy in uncertainty. These are the types of often-overlooked achievements that deserve recognition.
(NYTimes, Dec 27, 2024, For Modern Astronauts, the Right Stuff Means Embracing Imperfection, by Ido Mizrahy.)
The New Definition of Strength
What stood out to me in the article was how NASA’s ideal astronaut has evolved. Decades ago, they sought daredevils—risk-takers suited for short, high-stakes missions. Today, however, NASA needs astronauts who can withstand the intense mental and emotional challenges of a potential three-year mission to Mars. The new space pioneers aren’t just fearless; they are adaptable, collaborative, and unafraid to ask for help when things don’t go as planned.
Modern astronaut candidates aren’t selected for toughness alone but for their ability to embrace imperfection. They thrive on curiosity, a willingness to learn, and the understanding that missions—and life—rarely go as planned. They don’t resist change; they lean into it.
What Can We Learn?
For us mere mortals, the biggest lesson is speed—specifically, how long it takes us to ask for help.
Many of us, especially high achievers, take pride in self-sufficiency. We avoid asking for help because it feels like weakness or failure. But in today’s world—where change is constant and rapid—success belongs to those who can manage their anxiety and adapt quickly. As the astronauts demonstrated, pivoting and staying mentally flexible is essential.
Yet, many of us get frustrated when things don’t go as planned. We believe staying angry, afraid, or in “freak-out mode” will somehow push us toward action. But research shows the opposite: when we’re in negative emotional states, our options feel limited, and we’re more likely to freeze or shut down. Conversely, when we shift into a more positive or relaxed state, our nervous system moves toward problem-solving, creativity, and connection. That’s where innovation happens.
(Source: Beyond Anxiety by Martha Beck, pp. 73-74)
Shifting from Anxiety to Action
So how do we train ourselves to move out of stress and into a mindset where we can thrive? It starts with small, consistent practices.
Two that work for me:
Micro-Meditations: Even two to three minutes of meditation when stressed helps reset my brain, allowing me to approach challenges with clarity rather than panic.
The Value-Add List: I record my big and small wins every week, especially the often-overlooked accomplishments. This simple habit rewires my brain to recognize progress and keeps me in a state where anything feels possible. (Well, almost anything—except maybe being stuck in space for ten months!)
What about you? How do you shift from stress to a more positive, productive mindset? I’d love to hear your thoughts. And as we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s take the time to acknowledge the often-unnoticed achievements of those around us. A little recognition can go a long way.