The (W)Right Mindset: Turning Dreams Into Reality

What makes ordinary people achieve extraordinary things? I got the answer! During a fun family day at the Wright Brothers National Monument, the museum guide shared a compelling quote from John T. Daniels, who witnessed the Wright brothers’ first flight: “It wasn’t luck that made them fly; it was hard work and common sense.” He added, “I’m wondering what all of us could do if we had the faith in our ideas and put all our heart and mind and energy into them like those Wright boys did!” Standing there in admiration, I wondered the same. The Wright brothers weren’t rocket scientists or Harvard graduates — in fact they didn’t have any college degrees at all. They were simply two determined brothers who ignored critics and refused to give up on their dream. And you know what? That’s exactly what makes this story so profoundly inspiring. Let’s explore some lessons from their journey that we can apply to our own dreams and goals.

Success Tips From Classic Innovators

• Use failure as feedback: Okay, so get this — before their successful flight, these guys crashed. A LOT! But each time, they’d dust themselves off, jot down what went wrong, and do it again. Each failure was a lesson that helped them fine-tune their airplane.
• Break the problem down into bite-size pieces: Instead of getting overwhelmed by the whole “how do we fly?!” thing, they tackled each challenge separately — first mastering gliding, then understanding wing design, followed by developing effective controls, and finally solving the propulsion problem. This methodical approach made a seemingly impossible task manageable.
• Be resourceful: They didn’t have aerospace suppliers or specialized manufacturing plants. Nor did they have the fanciest equipment or biggest budget. They literally used bike parts to build their aircraft! They started with what they had at hand. Resourcefulness at its best!
• Question conventional wisdom: The locals had this saying: “If God had meant for man to fly, He would have given him wings.” But the Wright brothers challenged the accepted theories of their time. They weren’t afraid to question established “facts” when their research indicated otherwise.
• Persist despite doubt: Even when scientists said powered flight was impossible, and newspapers mocked them, the Wright brothers kept going. They believed in their vision and methods, even when almost everyone else thought they were wasting their time. Their persistence proved that sometimes you have to believe in yourself when no one else does.

This same spirit is alive and thriving today. From garage-based tech entrepreneurs to bedroom content creators building media empires — they’re all channeling the (W)right energy. Whether you’re dreaming up a killer app or launching a startup, these principles won’t change much. Dare to dream big and soar to new heights! If two bike shop owners could figure out how to make humans fly, imagine what you could do. So, what’s that great idea you’ve been thinking about? Because here’s the thing — every game-changing innovation started with someone thinking, “You know what? I’m gonna try.“

Adeline (Addy) Maissonet is a Procurement Analyst for the Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy (DPCAP) within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). She serves as a senior advisor on contracting policies and procedures and the agency’s representative on the Department’s views on proposed legislation to Congressional members, their staff, and committee staffers. Prior to her current role, Addy served as a Division Chief and Contracting Officer with unlimited warrant authority for the U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) – Fort Eustis, Virginia. Addy holds an MBA in Management and Contracting Level III Certification under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act. She is a graduate from Cornell University’s Executive Leadership Certificate Program. In her free time, Addy enjoys hiking and overlanding with her family and friends.

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense.

Photo credit: gorodenkoff at iStock