Despite the current issues challenging NASA, it's financing and the future of the Space Shuttle Program, there is a key lesson you can learn from its past successes. This lesson is about setting a complete goal and including the wider implications for your business and your staff.

During the space program in the 60's and 70's the over-riding focus for the flights to the moon and the other missions was not just getting the astronauts into space but also bringing them back safely. The Apollo Program was designed with the specific goal of landing humans on the moon and assuring their safe return back to Earth. The "safe return" ? part of this is often overlooked but this was actually a very key element in ensuring the high level of safety and testing. It also drove the NASA engineers to ensure that they had effective processes for identifying the causes of problems and finding solutions quickly, as was seen in the events of Apollo 13. Everything that was planned and implemented included the safe return element of the goal.

In business, we often set goals related to turnover, profit and number of customers. These are solid targets that can be measured and easily identified. However, in the process of setting those goals the impact of achieving them can often be forgotten. You set an ambitious goal for the business and forget that you want to get there and still assure the safe return back to earth for you and your employees.

After all, what use is it to achieve the lofty heights of your business goals only to find that you and your staff arrive divorced, with heart problems, suffering from stress, anxiety and panic attacks, feeling unhealthy and tired, overweight, angry and depressed? Is that what you really wanted? Is that the real goal you were aiming for?

When you set your business goals, make them a little wider. Include the human element. It's fine to expect a little stress and pressure but not so much that everyone's health suffers. Many business owners set their original business goals with the motivation of being able to provide for their family. But what use is it if you lose your family along the way?

You must set your business goals so that you can achieve them in a healthy way, whilst maintaining your relationships, your health and your sanity. And as you progress, check in regularly and ask yourself if you're still on the way to achieving the full goal. You'll often find that the most important parts have been forgotten.

If you're one of those people who subscribes to the idea that you can't achieve your goals with out suffering, then perhaps you just need to look for examples of people who have managed it. Perhaps you've simply had bad role models in the past and you need to find a new one.

When you plan for a safe return it allows you to repeat the process again and again. It makes your business sustainable. It builds staff loyalty and business longevity. And it could also save you a lot in litigation and sick pay.

Whatever stage you're at in your business, make sure that before you launch your next mission you've thought about how everyone gets back safely. And have a great flight.