Shoot for the Moon: Lessons From a Ninth-Grade Math Class
When I was in ninth grade, I sat in Mr. Keeley’s math class staring at a poster that read, “If you shoot for the moon and miss, you may end up amongst the stars.” Little did I know, that simple quote would follow me through life, shaping my mindset and inspiring me to always aim higher. That poster taught me three important lessons about life: get your hopes up, embrace the process, and live with gratitude.
1. Get Your Hopes Up
Imagine a child brimming with potential walking up to an adult and boldly declaring a big dream. Instead of encouragement, the adult responds with, “That is not realistic.” What does this do to the child? It crushes the very hope that fuels their ambitions.
Somewhere along the way, society embraced the momentum killer of “Do not get your hopes up.” But why not? Why not you? Why not now? It is your life, and you are the author of it.
“What would you like to be when you grow up?” has turned into, “What would you like to be when you give up?” Give up the pursuit of your own destiny by not getting your hopes up. Hope is powerful. Without it, we settle for mediocrity. As the famous quote says, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” When you give up on hope, you give up on your dreams, and the soul begins to wither. Do not let anyone rob you of your hopes. You are capable of greatness, and the world needs what you have to offer.
2. The Process is About Developing, Not Achieving
When I recently joined a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym, I quickly realized I was surrounded by highly trained athletes who had spent decades mastering their craft. Their advice to me? “Do not try to win. Focus on learning and improving. You will get better if you do not quit.”
This advice applies to everything in life, especially business. In a world accustomed to two weeks of work and a paycheck, the art of patience has been lost. Real growth, whether in business, relationships, or personal development, is about showing up consistently and embracing the grind.
In business, getting your butt kicked repeatedly over months and years builds the foundation for long-term success. As James Clear says in Atomic Habits, “Goals are good for setting a direction, but systems are best for making progress.” It is not the moonshot goal itself that matters; it is the daily commitment to improving, learning, and growing. Aim for the moon, but stay committed to the daily habits that will take you there.
3. Gratitude is the Great Equalizer
In a recent study, researchers estimated that 48 percent of the time, Americans are not focused on the present moment. Instead, their minds are preoccupied with other things, leading them to miss important memories and milestones along the way. Gratitude is what brings us back to the present.
The Bible reminds us not to despise small beginnings. Dreaming becomes detrimental when it blinds us to what we have right now. Gratitude allows you to experience success before you actually achieve it. It is completely possible to set your sights on a better future while fully appreciating the present.
One of the greatest dangers of unchecked ambition is that it can rob you of joy along the way. In the movie Click with Adam Sandler, the protagonist fast-forwards through the seemingly insignificant parts of life to focus on success. In the end, he achieves his goals but loses everything that truly mattered. The lesson? Do not wish away the present moment. Gratitude allows you to savor the journey while working toward your dreams.
Take time each day to reflect on what you are thankful for. Tomorrow is never guaranteed, so find joy in the lessons, moments, and people you have today. Success is not worth it if you miss the beauty along the way.
Why Live Shooting for the Moon?
Because you are worth it. You were designed for greatness, and the world needs you at your best. Imagine meeting your identical twin at the end of your life, someone who lived out their full potential. Would you feel proud of the life you lived, or would you feel regret for letting fear or excuses hold you back?
The choice is yours. It is time to rise up, dust yourself off, and aim for the moon. If you miss, you just might end up amongst the stars.
Until next time, we love you.
Matt Walker