The Difference Between Common and Uncommon - Which Will You Be?

Ernest Shackelton was a fascinating, effective leader. The story brilliantly written in the book Endurance, is a read I recommend to to just about anyone. It’s hands down one of the best books on leadership, cooperation, teamwork and endurance you’ll ever read.

I was first introduced to this book by Cameron Herold and that introduction is a testament to what one small suggestion can do and the impact it can make on someone’s life.

This article isn’t about Cameron and it’s not about Ernest. 

It’s about you. 

This is about the adventure that is your life. 

In the present, this is more of an article I’m writing to myself, but I hope the message endures and you carry it with you. 

Life isn’t supposed to be easy. You won’t get everything you want. To be uncommon requires a level of sacrifice that common will never understand. 

No matter the struggle. No matter the victories or the defeats. No matter the depression, fear, uncertainty, doubt, love, laughter, regret, exhaustion, wealth or poverty; No matter how you play this game called life, we all end up at the same destination.

And it’s ok. 

Embrace it.

Realize what you are living is YOUR story. Make it as remarkable as it can possibly be.

Understand there is no filter for life. Scars are scars. Wrinkles are wrinkles. Tears are tears. And they are nothing short of beautiful. 

Embrace each and every scar. 

No matter the amount of scars accumulated, remember you are beautiful. 

The adventurer embraces the unthinkable risks that come with being uncommon. And you are that. You are uncommon. And make no mistake about it, you are on an adventure of your own. The question is how remarkable of an adventure will you create for your life? Is it worth the read when you have passed? Have you left a legacy of lessons to propel others to be more, do more, reach true potential? Or is it a predictable, safe, boring page turner that just kind of is?

Starting is the hardest part of anything worthwhile in life. Most people never start. They fear the scars. They fear the failure. They fear embarrassment, ridicule, discomfort and judgement. 

If there were a job posting for this life, it would read similarly this posting by Ernest Shackelton before the voyage of the Endurance:

There are no guarantees in this life. This fact alone stops most from ever attempting to venture outside the comfortable bubbles we’ve built for ourselves. There is nothing to fear if you never venture into the unknown. It’s safe in a very unsafe kind of way.

The majority of people I’ve crossed paths with in my lifetime have desperately yearned for something greater. They want to get on that stage, start that business, travel to foreign lands, inspire others with the talents few if any know reside within them, call him or her, leave that energy sucking relationship, zig when everyone else zags and so forth.

But the unknown prevents them from ever taking the first step.

You will be stronger than that. 

You will embrace failure. 

You will embrace fear. 

You will embrace, and even learn to love, being uncomfortable. 

Because you have the secret. You know most things worth being alive for; the most incredible stories and adventures reside on the other side of fear.

Step into and through the fear.

As you grow older you will begin to realize most stories which capture the imagination, bring you to tears, cause you to double over with laughter, and inspire you to be better are those stories that, with purpose or chance are based on someone facing the unknown and coming out on the other side.

You must realize greatness is within you. And not just realize it, but BELIEVE it.

You are already successful. 

You are already inspiring. 

You are already remarkably uncommon. 

It is within you. But you must be willing to endure the slow, frustrating and often painful process of bringing it to life. 

When you were born there was no doubt you would walk, talk and eventually run. We knew with time you’d string together words that would make others laugh. It was within you. We didn’t need proof. We didn’t need permission. We simply knew it was within and we believed.

You crawled until you built the strength to stand. You fell hundreds, if not thousands of times, until you had the strength to walk. You wobbled until you had the balance to skip, run, sprint and eventually do remarkable things requiring a level of coordination, strength and skill that would have been unthinkable on day one. 

But you got there. You go there because you embraced the process and, without questioning what might have seemed impossible on day one, you believed.

It’s a process. All of it. 

Hobbies. Sports. Education. Business. Relationships. 

Life.

There was never a time when we sat back and thought how embarrassing it would be to crawl around a room or write a paper that was barely legible.

We never avoided the pain of falling time and time again. We never worried people would laugh as we wobbled across the room discovering how to balance in such an imbalanced world. 

We knew it was within us and embraced the process. 

Without doubt, fear or reservations we step into and through the unknown.

Growth of any kind is a process. You will crawl before you walk. You will walk before you run.

But if you can find the strength to go through the process, embracing setbacks and struggles, you will look back in disbelief that it was ever a struggle at all.

It can be easy to forget. 

It can be easy to seek out a filter to hide the scars; to hide who you are, what you’ve been through, and the mistakes you’ve made.

It will be easy to avoid the unknown in fear of acquiring more scars. It’s easy to say you’ll do it tomorrow. It’s easy to procrastinate, make excuses, embrace doubt and seek the comfort of others who are all too willing to join you in hiding.

Don’t hide. 

Find other adventurers. Find other people like you, who will encourage you to step into the unknown, lift you back up when you fall, wipe your tears, inspire you and regardless of the impact on their own lives refuse to ever hold you back.

This is your life. You were born. You will die. It’s everything in between that makes it a story that leaves a lasting, positive, meaningful impact on those who come behind you.

“Seeking The Uncommon. For hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honor and recognition in case of success.”

I’m asking you to answer the call.