In Any Field, It's A

Still, I Also Know That Most People, Including Me, Tend To Applaud The Wrong Things: The Showy, Dramatic Record-setting Sprint Rather Than The Years Of Dogged Preparation Or The Unwavering Grace Displayed During A String Of Losses. Applause, Then, Never Bore Much Relation To The Reality Of My Life As An Astronaut, Which Was Not All About, Or Even Mostly About, Flying Around In Space.

Almost Everything Worthwhile Carries With It Some Sort Of Risk, Whether It's Starting A New Business, Whether It's Leaving Home, Whether It's Getting Married, Or Whether It's Flying In Space.

Preparation Is Not Only About Managing External Risks, But About Limiting The Likelihood That You'll Unwittingly Add To Them. When You're The Author Of Your Own Fate, You Don't Want To Write A Tragedy. Aside From Anything Else, The Possibility Of A Sequel Is Nonexistent.

Early Success Is A Terrible Teacher. You're Essentially Being Rewarded For A Lack Of Preparation, So When You Find Yourself In A Situation Where You Must Prepare, You Can't Do It. You Don't Know How.

No One Ever Accomplished Anything Great Sitting Down.