Each week I share memorable and uplifting stories of remarkable people accomplishing extraordinary things with simple acts of self-mastery. By subscribing, you can also get a free digital copy of my book, Hard Work Is Not Enough.
Defying Skeptics: The James Webb Telescope's Quest for Cosmic Truth
The James Webb Telescope launched on December 25, 2021. It cost ten billion dollars and weighs over thirteen-thousands pounds. It took 1,200 skilled scientists, engineers, and technicians thirty years of preparation before they loaded it in a rocket and launched it into the great beyond.
The mission? Travel 1.5 million kilometers to capture the first light in the universe, show the birth of stars, and identify never before seen galaxies.
Once they loaded it into the rocket, it was out of their hands. They can do nothing besides cross their fingers and hope it works as planned. It’s all a roll of the dice.
The James Webb made it into space and is sending back infrared images. Many early photos are already challenging what the most brilliant minds thought they knew about our universe.
Despite the project’s early success, a million variables and unknowns might arise over the five to ten-year mission to take the telescope offline. In an instance, it could become a thirteen thousand pound piece of junk.
Everything worth doing has it's skeptics
To the skeptic, it might all be a waste of time. Why bother, they ask? What’s the point of investing billions of dollars on something that could malfunction or be knocked out by a space rock? What difference does it make if the universe is 14 billion or 27 billion years old?
For every project, there is always a skeptic in the room. No matter how much rigor is invested in planning and preparation, they will be unconvinced that success is possible. They will find a way to dash your hopes and dreams.
So what do you do?
Skeptics only play one game. They take fear and cowardice and try to sell it as intelligence. They try to convince you that failure is inevitable, hoping you won’t try.
If that doesn’t work, the skeptic will try to save you from all the new challenges caused by being wildly successful. “Who would want to deal with all those new headaches?” They ask.
The skeptic doesn’t want you to bet the farm or shoot the moon because it makes them hopeful, and nothing is more scary than hope. The skeptic’s motto is “Don’t try too hard, and you won’t be disappointed.”
Skeptics don't make good storytellers
Does the James Webb make it to space with that attitude? Were Wilber and Orville skeptics or dreamers? Does Serena become one of the greatest athletes of all human history without hope? Of course not. Doing things when the outcomes are uncertain is what makes our lives interesting. Not knowing how the story ends makes it worth listening to.
You’re on the right track if the skeptic is talking or your inner critic is wide-eyed and ready to fight. You are agitating their fragile sense of self-worth.
It’s not a sign to stop but to keep going!
Say this with me “I don’t need to win over the skeptic.”
You don’t need to convince them, either. Skepticism is their baggage to carry, not yours.
Double down on your efforts.
The skeptic is scared, and that’s right where you want them.
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Hi! I'm Jeff Shannon!
Each week I share memorable and uplifting stories of remarkable people accomplishing extraordinary things with simple acts of self-mastery. By subscribing, you can also get a free digital copy of my book, Hard Work Is Not Enough.
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