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    The Great Gordino Newsletter - Issue 326 - Mon 1st Aug 2005
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    Archive Issues online at - gordonbryan.com/archive

    Hi There,

    Blimey, we're into August already!
    How long before the Xmas gear starts appearing in the shops!!

    I hope you are well.

    Last week I briefly mentioned Eileen Collins, and I'll mention her
    a bit more today, as I focus on expectation of success.
    It's a favourite subject of mine, and is a chapter of my book
    (link below!)

    Eileen Collins is the Commander of the space shuttle Discovery,
    the first shuttle flight since the Columbia accident around 2 and
    a half years ago.

    As the launch neared, I looked to see if there was any internet
    coverage.
    Indeed there was - NasaTV.

    I found it amazing to not only see the 'usual' images of the
    launch, but also closer, more intimate, and live pictures online.

    To see the crew get suited up and strapped into their seats, then
    wait for 3 hours really built up the adrenaline, and the countdown
    to launch was great.
    This kind of thing not only drives home how ingenius mankind
    is, but that we got to space 5 decades ago!

    Then a couple of days later, as we saw the shuttle do a planned
    backflip and then dock to the International Space Station, the
    best pics were of little Eileen inside, piloting the 100-ton shuttle
    looking through the window!

    It's very addictive - I can't take my eyes off it, which is not good
    for said eyes, since the NasaTV image is only in the region of 3
    by 5 inches big.

    In fact I might just write to Mr. Nasa, asking if he could make his
    TV a tad larger.

    As the shuttle docked with the station, the commentary said they
    were moving over Europe.
    'Ooh,' I thought, 'I wonder if I can see it out my window?'

    I rushed to the kitchen, and spotted what I thought was the
    docking in the sky!
    My illusion was shattered as the 'space shuttle' let fly with a big
    one, RIGHT ON MY CAR ROOF!!!
    Maybe I need to go to space program classes, if I can't tell the
    difference between a space shuttle and a seagull.
    Or maybe bird-watching class?

    Right then, back to Eileen.
    Any adrenaline and excitement I felt while watching the mission,
    is I'm sure, more than she is feeling.
    Why?
    Because she expects to succeed.
    She's trained specifically for all the jobs on the mission, she
    knows exactly what she is doing, so has no reason to expect
    failure.

    She doesn't think the fact that she is a woman as noteworthy,
    she thinks the time will come when a woman Commander will not
    be seen as unusual, but as the public face of the mission, it is
    natural that a 47 yr-old mother of two will attract attention as the
    Commander.

    Obviously there is no way she could get to where she is without a
    huge amount of effort, dedication and sacrifice.

    Let's take it a bit further, and think about *any* astronaut.
    How do you think they conduct their lives?
    Are they slapdash, slovenly, slothlike?
    No, of course not!
    They carry out anything they do with a certain discipline, focus,
    and expectation of success.

    It's a great point, when you undertake a task, apply that
    discipline, take with you an expectation of success, and the
    results will always be better than if you didn't.
    Always.
    It's not rocket science.
    Er, well in this case, maybe it is!
    (ok, I know I use that line over and over, but it's a good'un, and
    if I can't use it in this case, when can I!!)

    Here's another example of expectation.
    On Saturday I went on a stag day with my friend who is getting
    married in 3 weeks, the poor sod.
    12 of us went to an archery range during the day, then to a club
    in the evening.
    The archery was great, everyone enjoyed it, but I was surprised
    to hear almost everyone else say that had not expected to enjoy
    it.

    Why not?
    If they hadn't done it before, why carry an expectation not to
    enjoy it?
    Expect to have a good time, and you are more likely to have the
    good time you expect!

    As we looked into the sky with our bow and arrows, I thought
    about using my space shuttle/seagull story, but since most of
    the guys had short cropped hair and tattoes on their knuckles, I
    decided to pass.

    When we went clubbing, I told myself to expect a good time,
    even tough I hate clubbing.
    The music is absolute rubbish, you can't hear yourself talk, and
    the drinks cost a fortune.

    I decided to chill out, and see if I could spot any cracking
    looking girls.
    I did spot 2 I liked, but both of them quickly grabbed other
    blokes' backsides in front of me.

    It seems I am a babe magnet - for other men!
    Maybe I should hire myself out to single men - all they need to
    do is stand next to the girl they like, and then I'll approach.
    It'll only be a couple of seconds before the girl grabs the nearest
    man to them in sheer horror at my approach.

    Ok, that's about it for today, I'm off to do more damage to my
    eyes with NasaTV!

    If you fancy reading my book chapter on the expectation of
    success along with the rest of it, the link is below.

    'Til Next Time,
    Health and Happiness,
    Gordon
    email me at gordon@gordonbryan.com - you'll have to copy and paste
    thanks to the idiot online spammers!



    
    Get my book here!


    

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