An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth -- Take 2

I've had a couple of trips lately, so I've had some time to get through my audiobooks, and I really enjoyed this one!  I'm going to go through chapter by chapter and try to boil it down for you, but I really think you should listen to this one!  I'm not quite sure I got all the chapter titles right, since I was listening and don't have the book to reference quickly, but they're close enough.

Chapter 1: The Trip Takes a Lifetime
Col. Hadfield opens with a fairly brief history of how he came to be an astronaut.

Chapter 2: Attitude
Good attitude is required in space and on land. In space, control your ship. On land, control yourself.  Have goals, but realize that if you are constantly working to be prepared for those goals, the ends might just be the preparation.  You may never reach the goal itself, but you're better for having bettered yourself in the pursuit of it.  Never stop learning.

Chapter 3: The Power of Negative Thinking
Lack of knowledge leads to sense of helplessness, which in turn leads to fear. Plan for the worst and be competent in the worst situations; that way you'll be ready for whatever comes your way.  Attack the problem head on; work it until you find your solution. Confidence comes from solid preparation.

Chapter 4: Sweat the Small Stuff
Everything matters. You don't know how or when it will matter, but it will.

Chapter 5: The Last People in the World

Promote your colleague's interests.  It may be counter-intuitive, but it helps everyone, helps the program, and helps you stay competitive.

Chapter 6: What's the Next Thing That Could Kill Me?

Make sure you have operational awareness.  See the big picture, and do it quickly. Prioritize what matters now, and take action.

Chapter 7: Tranquility Base

Be well prepared.  If you are, you'll be ready to go and calm before the big day, whatever that day might be. Plan ahead. Thank those who help you, every day, in big ways and small.

Chapter 8: How to Get Blasted and Feel Good the Next Day

This chapter is a bit more of his own history, especially about his Soyuz mission.  Remember to sweat the small stuff, but don't anyone know you're sweating.

Chapter 9: Aim to Be a Zero
In any situation, you can be a -1, 0, or +1. In a new situation, aim to be a zero.  When you're the least experienced person in the room, you don't yet know what you don't know.  Be in student mode: eyes and ears open, mouth shut.  Try to help everyone around you, because you never know who will have a say in where you end up or what your next assignment is.

 

Chapter 10: Life Off Earth

More stories.

Chapter 11: Square Astronaut, Round Hole

Stories, with this general moral: work hard, and eventually whatever you are working at will become a good fit.

Chapter 12: Soft Landings

The last thing you do in any context is as important as the first - perhaps more important, because you're tired.  Act deliberately so that you do it right.

Chapter 13: Climbing Down the Latter
If the big, showy accomplishments are all that matter, a lot of time and a lot of life will go unappreciated. Relish the everyday, by applying what you learned in working towards and snagging those big accomplishments to the rest of your life.

I said earlier that I recommend listening to this book.  I'm sure it would be entertaining to read, but I really love it when an author reads his or her own book, and it's probably especially wonderful when that author isn't an author by profession.  There's something very natural and conversational about listening to Col. Hadfield read his work, and he's put together a nice balance of stories/autobiography with excellent advice.