The SpaceX Starship, the most powerful rocket ever to fly, exploded shortly after liftoff on April 20th. Despite the disappointing ending, the launch attempt of the uncrewed rocket was hailed as a success by both SpaceX and officials at NASA, as a key part of a test program that will provide valuable data as the spacecraft’s development continues.

Watching this remarkable launch, I was reminded of a recent experience my wife Jeanie and I had when we traveled to Houston to see the new space station being built. We learned how NASA is leading an innovative and sustainable program of exploration with commercial and international partners to enable human expansion across the solar system. These partnerships will play a critical role in the mission to land astronauts on the lunar South Pole by 2024.

While we were in Houston, we had the opportunity to speak with several astronauts about missions they had previously flown. One conversation with the commander of three shuttle missions really stood out. He talked about how profound it was to see the earth from afar, as just a small spec suspended in space. He was struck by both the fragility and magnificence of our planet, saying that the experience completely changes your perspective - you forget about all of the angst, conflicts and struggles taking place on the surface below.

That conversation reminded me of how important it is to step back from time to time to see the forest for the trees as we seek to gain greater perspective on our own lives. I practice meditation on a regular basis for this very purpose. I’ve always believed that a little bit of thinking is worth a lot of doing. Journaling or time spent connecting with nature are also great options. Whatever approach you take to gain perspective, know that doing so can help you to be more thoughtful and intentional in all aspects of your life. Begin by thinking about how you want to spend your remaining years on this earth, what you want to accomplish, what you want to enjoy, who you want to spend time with and how you want to be remembered. Then design a plan to take you there. Engaging in the planning process can help you:

Want to learn more about adjusting your strategy to align with your changing goals and perspective? Download our complimentary checklist: When Shifting Goals Mean Shifting Plans.