How to Be an Astronaut

Starting at a young age, the speaker had a different mindset compared to other kids who simply wanted to be something when they grew up. Instead, the speaker wanted to turn themselves into an astronaut, which required actively modifying their identity and pursuing specific actions to achieve their goal. The speaker believes that this transformational mindset sets successful individuals apart and can lead to significant life-changing decisions. They also note that many successful people had influential moments or decisions around the age of nine, which made them realize they had control over their own lives and were responsible for their own outcomes. For the speaker, watching the first moon landing inspired them to pursue a career as an astronaut, as it showed them that it was a viable option. This desire to become an astronaut led them to question how to change themselves to make that dream a reality.