Drew Rozell, Ph.D.

Author and Coach

The Courage of Optimism

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One of the books I’m reading is called The Endurance by Caroline Alexander. The book recounts the 1914 adventure of Ernest Shackelton and his twenty-seven man crew in their attempt to be the first people to cross Antarctica on foot.

Their ship — The Endurance — becomes trapped in the ice pack, crushing the boat and leaving the men stranded on the ice for twenty months.

Though I’ve not finished the book, I know the ending. The ordeal ends with no men perishing and this is largely attributed to Shackelton’s leadership.

I’ve come across a quote from Shackleton that I believe explains the mindset necessary to inspire and lead people in such a harsh, bleak situation.

Shackleton is quoted as saying, “Optimism is true moral courage.”

Think about that one for a minute or two…

And choose to be courageous in this way today…

shipturned_largeThe end of the line for The Endurance.

P.S. Kodak has created a cool website chronciling this story of The Endurance here.

Wisdom from Conan

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I don’t watch the Tonight Show. Or any late night shows for that matter. (I do record and savor “The Daily Show”)

But I found myself reading this New York Times Magazine article on Conan O’Brien. 

I hope does well in his new gig.

Reflecting on his new job,  I found a few of Conan’s words to be right on target and worth sharing.

“What I realized is, I’m still doing ‘The Tonight Show.’ That was my dream. When I can’t sleep and it’s 3 in the morning, I’m not thinking about Jay. I’m thinking about all the things I want to do on the show. And I’m not thinking about how I’m going to change myself to fit a certain demographic. I just have to block that nonsense out. In entertainment, you have to stake out what you think is right, you have to put out that signal, make sure it’s pure and then do it and do it and do it and know that they will come. And if they don’t, you have to pack up your bags and say: ‘I enjoyed my time here. Sorry it didn’t work out.’ But the biggest mistake would be to alter my signal to make sure that I reach all these different people. Because then you’re lost.”

Put out your signal.

Put out YOUR signal.

It might not work out.

But it will be true.