On October14 of 2012, millions around the world watched as Felix Baumgartner ascended 24 miles into space in a hot air balloon, then jumped from it in a free fall that would break records as well as the speed of sound.
But it wasn’t his accomplishment that intrigued me. It was the story behind it.
This is the second part in my series “What we can learn from Felix Baumgartner’s Supersonic Jump from Space.” If you haven’t read Part I, you can read it here first.
4. Know your Vision
“I’m coming home.” Those were the last words that Baumgartner spoke before he stepped from the small platform jetting out from his balloon and began his free fall descent.
He knew what he needed to do and, despite a myriad of things that would vie for his attention, he articulated aloud what success meant; getting home.
He would prioritize every action and reaction, be it a faceplate malfunction or a deadly spin, based on that Vision.
5. Be Selective in Your Team
“I have the best team behind me,” Baumgartner commented in an interview.
From his sponsor, Red Bull, who was willing to fully fund the project rather than nickel-and-diming it, to hand picking his mentor, to choosing every individual who would make the endeavor successful, Baumgartner knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had the right people behind him. The smallest mishap could mean failure and certain death, but he trusted their expertise and he believed in their ability.
His suit kept him alive. Without it the pressure would have caused his blood to boil and his lungs to over inflate. Any mishap or failure of equipment would mean instant death.
6. Invest in Others
After Baumgartner decided on his mission, he reached out to one of the most unlikely people for development- the gentleman whose record he would try to break.
And now, Baumgartner has said that his next great mission will be to mentor the person who will one day break his record.
It is a symbiotic relationship, and one that makes perfect sense. If you want to be rich, don’t take advice from a poor person. If you are rich, invest in someone who has great potential and who seeks development. There is no greater reward.
Zig Ziglar once said “You can have everything in life that you want if you just help enough other people get what they want.” It’s an idea that I have built both my life and a company around.
