The incredible story of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton has taken on renewed interest in the media over the last week.  On March 9, 2022, his old ship, aptly named The HMS Endurance, was discovered just off the Coast of Antartica at the bottom of the Weddell Sea. It has been called the greatest ship discovery since The Titanic.  Some one hundred and seven years earlier, massive, impenetrable ice floes had trapped the vessel and her men, and ultimately doomed the mighty ship.

While Shackleton’s saga can be viewed as a failure, it is actually one of incredible resilience!  On December 5, 1914, twenty six men under Shackleton’s command set off to the first to traverse the continent of Antartica.  After being trapped in the ice for nearly eight months, the HMS Endurance eventually slipped beneath the sea, nearly a year after embarking on the journey.  Remarkably, through Shackleton’s relentless optimism and leadership, all of the men survived on the Antarctic ice floes  for another 12 months!  And Shackleton was able to save every single person on the expedition, after two years of exposure to the the most inhuman conditions on earth.

Shackleton and his crew defied the odds and made history, overcoming incredible adversity and staving off near certain death.  But that harrowing experience should not have been a surprise to anyone on his crew.  Shackleton was famously transparent in his communication, and the Help Wanted Ad for the Endurance Expedition reflected this:

“Men Wanted for Dangerous Expedition: Low Wages for Long Hours of Arduous Labour under Brutal Conditions; Months of Continual Darkness and Extreme Cold; Great Risk to Life and Limb from Disease, Accidents and Other Hazards; Small Chance of Fame in Case of Success.”

(Uh, pass.  I think I’ll take that nice white-collar job in the cubicle!)

But, despite the warning, over 5,000 people applied!  Why?  It’s not always about the fame, money, and glory.  Sometimes, it is the mission that matters.  Sometimes, it is about being a part of something bigger than ourselves.  Sometimes, it is about quietly making a positive impact on our little corner of the world.

And isn’t that true in our own personal and professional lives?

We Don’t Always Feel the Love

In this social-media frenzied world, it is easy to lose sight of our priorities.  The lure to be famous and go viral is all around us.  The spotlight has never shone brighter.  But should that be the ultimate goal of any endeavor?  Is that what truly matters?

Some of the most worthwhile causes in life require arduous labor with small chance of fame in case of success.   It is not supposed to be easy. Our resolve will constantly be tested. And we will rarely receive adulation.

These humble and selfless feats are all around us.  The coach who stays in the rain after practice to help a struggling player refine his or her skills.  The mid-level associate who stays up late perfecting a report that receives little internal attention.  The manager of the JV Field Hockey Team who travels to a lightly attended game just to keep the stats.  The parent who fights off the stress of the day to help their frustrated child with homework.  Not every act of sacrifice and diligence receives a ticker-tape parade.  In fact, most of our greatest accomplishments will go largely unnoticed. And that is okay.

If we positively influence one person, we will make a difference.  If we help one person keep the faith, we will be successful.  If we inspire one person to go after his or her dream, we will improve our corner of the world.   We may not receive a trophy or a plaque or even a “thank you”.  But that can’t deter us from our mission!  Impact and appreciation do not always go hand in hand.

What Gives Us Hope?

There are times when it seems all of our work and is dedicated to St. Jude, The Patron Saint of Hopeless Causes.  There are times when our resilience runs low.  There are times when we could use a little recognition.   It is only natural.  But we won’t always get it.  And we have to keep the faith anyway.

During these times, we need to take a step back and gain a little perspective.  What are we passionate about?  What drives us to success?  Who do we truly care about this in this world?  That needs to be our motivation.  That needs to give us purpose.  That needs to sustain us when we question our place in the world.

Leave This World Better Than You Found It

Shackleton’s Help Wanted Ad serves as a roadmap for our own journey.  There will be seemingly insurmountable obstacles.  There will be brutal conditions and arduous labor involved.  At times, it will be a thankless pursuit.  And, even if successful, the chance for fame is small.

But we’re not in it for the fame.  We’re in it because we believe in a cause.  We’re in it because we know we have something to share.  We’re in it because if even one person is inspired to greatness through our actions, we will have left this world a better place.

Thank you, Sir Ernest Shackleton.  Your passion, endurance, and resilience will never be forgotten.