The Overview Effect
Creative thinking, mindset shift with space travel, and ultimate mind boosters.
Our parents prepared us for today's world by sending us to school and encouraging good grades. Good grades led to good colleges, which led to good jobs and networks, ultimately paving the way for financial stability and opportunities.
But, the same formula won’t work for our kids. Good grades and school skills alone aren’t enough. With AI changing the world, we can't predict the challenges they'll face.
What we know is that these future-ready skills are crucial — embracing challenges, thinking critically and creatively, and solving problems innovatively.
How do we nurture these skills in our kids? It's a question we parents often discuss.
While I don’t have all the answers, I’m excited to offer a step in that direction.
Announcing a ✨Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving Workshop✨ for 12-15 year olds! The response to my previous workshop was fantastic, and now, without COVID restrictions, we can meet in person. We’ll tackle real-world scenarios, flex our creative thinking muscles, and learn techniques to come up with innovative solutions.
Let's prepare our future innovators now!
Message me if you’d like your child to attend this workshop. Also, please help me spread the word by sharing it with your friends in Singapore. I thank you in advance. ❤️
Now, onto today’s edition. It’s about a fascinating concept I recently discovered — The Overview Effect. Plus, check out the Mind Boosters for an out-of-the-world family travel idea (literally!), a calming music track, and a special breath technique to reset in seconds. Enjoy the read. 🙌
The Overview Effect
I recently watched a Netflix series where an astronaut returns from space with a completely new outlook on life. His wife suspects something is wrong with his brain. Both had always been professionally ambitious, traveling often and choosing not to have children to focus on their careers. They were aligned in their pursuit of success.
The husband went to space for a few months, and during that time, the wife was excited about a new work opportunity that would require her to be away for six months. Little did she know that her husband won’t be the same.
After his return, he wanted to spend more time at home and even talked about having a child. His wife was confused and disappointed, hoping this was a medical issue that could be fixed!
It wasn't.
What the astronaut experienced is known as the Overview Effect. This isn't just fiction — many astronauts report a profound mindset shift after seeing Earth from space. 🌏 Gazing at our planet against the vast darkness of space makes them realize both the insignificance and the incredible beauty of our world.
The Overview Effect is a state of awe and self-transcendence. When you see Earth from above, it changes your perspective.
It makes you realize that we are just a speck. It’s a new level of awareness and consciousness. You appreciate the beauty of our planet and feel a deep connection to all people and the Earth as a whole.
“When we look down at the earth from space, we see this amazing, indescribably beautiful planet. It looks like a living, breathing organism. But it also, at the same time, looks extremely fragile…
Anybody else who’s ever gone to space says the same thing because it really is striking and it’s really sobering to see this paper-thin layer and to realize that that little paper-thin layer is all that protects every living thing on Earth from death, basically. From the harshness of space.”
— Ron Garan, Space Shuttle astronaut
This effect can lead to both short-term and long-term positive outcomes, such as increased well-being, a stronger sense of connection with others, and improved physical health.
You don't need to travel to space to experience a version of the Overview Effect. Virtual Reality (VR) can simulate this perspective to an extent. Here are some resources worth checking out:
The Overview Effect is like a wake-up call to do what matters most in life instead of chasing after pursuits that won’t matter in a few years from now. We can live our lives in a way that, when they’re ending, we truly feel fulfilled. Prioritizing work promotions and travel over precious moments with our kids won’t achieve that.
Let's focus on what truly matters and create lasting memories with those we love. ❤️
Mind Boosters
🚀🧑🚀 A real spaceflight
You can book a space flight for a full experience of the Overview Effect! Now that’s one-of-a-kind travel you can plan with your family or solo!
Virgin Galactic offers suborbital spaceflights, where you'll reach the edge of space and briefly experience weightlessness. They've already conducted successful flights with paying customers, with the most recent flight on June 8, 2024.
Their next flight is expected as early as 2026. Why not book now for an unforgettable journey!
🎵🎧 A song that reduces anxiety
Weightless by Marconi Union is a 3-min song known to reduce anxiety.
People who listen to this song experience up to 65% reduction in their anxiety. That’s as effective as most commonly prescribed drugs for reducing anxiety and insomnia! Why pop pills when you can listen to one song?!
It’s not just beneficial for those suffering from anxiety. Play it to experience the calm vibes, as I am doing right now as I write.
😮💨 😇 A breath for a reset
This is a tip from Shane Parrish in his book Clear Thinking. ⬇️
Your breath is a powerful tool that helps you calm your mind.
Take a normal inhale and then immediately inhale again with a smaller breath. It’s the same way we naturally breathe when we’re sobbing, and the results are similarly soothing.
Until next time 🙌
Very informative article