I have found that these are worthy goals for daily life as well.
The Foundations of Mission Operations
- Discipline – Being able to follow as well as to lead, knowing that we must master ourselves before we can master our task.
- Competence – There being no substitute for total preparation and complete dedication, for space will not tolerate the careless or indifferent.
- Confidence – Believing in ourselves as well as others, knowing that we must master fear and hesitation before we can succeed.
- Responsibility – Realizing that it cannot be shifted to others, for it belongs to each of us; we must answer for what we do — or fail to do.
- Toughness – Taking a stand when we must; to try again, even if it means following a more difficult path.
- Teamwork – Respecting and utilizing the abilities of others, realizing that we work toward a common goal, for success depends upon the efforts of all.
- Vigilance – Being always attentive to the dangers of spaceflight; never accepting success as a substitute for rigor in everything we do.
- To always be aware that suddenly and unexpectedly we may find ourselves in a role where our performance has ultimate consequences.
- To recognize that the greatest error is not to have tried and failed, but that in the trying we do not give it our best effort.
Note – after the Columbia accident in 2003, a 7th element “Vigilance” was added to the original Creed. It is reflected here.