“The Wider Benefits of Choosing Life Off the Grid”

“Listen carefully to first criticisms made of your work. Note just what it is about your work that critics don't like - then cultivate it. That's the only part of your work that's individual and worth keeping.”

-Jean Cocteau

Writing Workshops Are Fucking Useless A Creative Writing Professor Pulls the Wool From Our Eyes 

Writing Workshops Are F**king Useless

Australia's first astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg on why effort trumps talent

She's determined to inspire others

Katherine Chatfield

November 10, 2024 - 4:55AM

Behind the scenes 

She was the first person to become an astronaut under the Aussie flag. So we asked this trailblazer everything.

You beat 22,500 other applicants to be one of six people to train at the European Astronaut Centre in Germany. What gave you the edge?

I’ve always pushed myself out of my comfort zone. Before I started astronaut training, I did internships at NASA, the European Space Agency and the Royal Australian Air Force. I think mental resilience is a learned trait. When you really strive for something, it’s important to remember it doesn’t always come easily. As an astronaut, your character is as important as your academics. In my opinion, effort is more important than talent.

What did you learn about your own character during astronaut training?

Astronauts are recruited for their ability to seek excellence, rather than perfection. Chasing perfection can lead to frustration and fear of failure when there are obstacles, whereas those that seek excellence aren’t unafraid of uncertainty, but thrive in it. It’s OK to make mistakes, to fail, to recover, and enjoy that process. I think this is the same whether you’re in space or on earth. Once I realised how important it is, I tried to hone this skill in all areas of my life.

“The Wider Benefits of Choosing Life Off the Grid”

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