There is something about a display of energy that attracts people over the world.  Be it a powerful display of sound (music), water (waterfalls), wind (tornadoes), electricity (lightning) or explosions (demolitions) – it will always have spectator value.

One such controlled-energy display that is already a tradition worldwide of spectator festivities, is that of fireworks.  Associated with parties end celebrations, fireworks light up the sky at New Year celebrations, Christmas Eve, birthday parties and sports events.  The colourful display combined with the sounds of explosion is simply spectacular.  (The best live display of fireworks I ever saw was at Disneyland in California…)

There is another spectacular and very explosive display of controlled energy and force that always draws the crowds:  the launching of a rocket.  Especially the major space rockets that launches into space, or towards the moon or mars – those ones are not only something that makes all the eyes in the area look in the same direction – it is always broadcast live over television to millions of viewers worldwide.

Both these displays have energy in common. Fire. Sound. Light. Smoke.

But there is one major difference between rockets and fireworks: After the “wow” is over, only one of the two still has a purpose.  And that purpose is a destination….

Fireworks has a purpose.  It’s purpose is to “wow” and entertain.  It’s purpose is the spectacle of controlled energy.  The show.
And after the show is over, the burned out sticks are picked up by kids… useless.
Rockets have purpose too.  It’s purpose is a destination.  A target.  But it also delivers a spectacular show of controlled energy at the start.  And when the spectacle is over, the mission has only started…. destination mars.

This is so very true also in the world of programmes, marketing, selling, training, leadership, media, religion and many others.  Some exists for the “wow“.  Others look far beyond the spectacle, towards the destination.  Locked onto target.  Mission go.

When someone tries to ‘woo’ you with an idea, a programme, a vision or a product, always try to discern if they are selling you rockets or fireworks.  Fireworks can be very spectacular and amazing – but then that must be what you are looking for – and mere entertainment must be your goal.  The problem is that most salespeople, politicians, trainers, consultants, clergy, talk show hosts, therapists, lawyers or evangelists of some kind, will try to sell you a destination, but deliver only a show.

Three years ago I made a value based decision, after being in the “religious fireworks industry” for nearly ten years:  That I will never again promote fireworks as rockets, and never again promise a destination, but only deliver a show.  This decision had one major and immediate effect:  it marginalized me from the mainstream.  Because the mainstream – unfortunately – is in it for the colourful display of controlled energy and force, and not for the intensive and focussed mission that follows after the launch.  I even branded a mantra for my new found value:  “I don’t do models.  I am a sculptor.“

An outer space destination based missions will always be on every body’s lips.  But at the end, there are very few astronauts.  Most are satisfied with a firework display that simply “wows” the crowd.