How to think like a rocket scientist π π§βπ¬
Do we own the process or does the process own us?
In 1999, the Mars Polar Lander crashed on the Martian surface, and the team needed a new approach to landing on Mars before sending their own rover. But they stumbled on a new, game-changing question:
Can we send two rovers instead of one?
By focusing on the overall strategy (minimizing risk) rather than a specific tactic (fixing the landing gear), they discovered a solution hiding in plain sight (the successful Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, were sent as a pair in 2003).
While Iβm no rocket scientist, I can tell you that knowing how to solve problems is vital if you want to be successful. The ability to ask the right questions, even when things are going right is damn critical for all and thatβs where thinking like rocket scientists matter.
If you stick to the familiar, you wonβt find the unexpected.
A rocket scientist doesnβt focus on how likely a moonshot is to fail. She focuses on all the things that could go right.
Our obsession with certainty leads us astray and why all progress takes place in uncertain conditions
A rocket scientist doesn't become an expert by building a perfect rocket on her first try. She becomes an expert by launching a thousand imperfect rockets, learning from each one, and constantly iterating.
Thatβs why youβre going to love learning how to develop these skills in Ozan Varolβs Think Like a Rocket Scientist: Simple Strategies You Can Use to Make Giant Leaps in Work and Life.
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The 9 strategies to think like a scientist.
Goal Setting: Setting tangible, achievable goals and creating a plan to reach them.
Problem Solving: Breaking down complex problems into manageable chunks and using creative problem-solving techniques.
Decision Making: Making decisions quickly and accurately, and learning to recognize when a decision needs to be made.
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