By Joe Byerly
When it comes to achievement, Ernest Shackleton is the epitome of a high achiever. He etched his name into history as one of the greatest explorers. I’m still amazed that he rescued his 27-man crew of the Endurance Expedition by rowing a 22.5-foot boat 800 miles to safety and then walked another 32 miles across a treacherous uncharted mountain range to a whaling station in ridiculously harsh weather conditions.
Yet, for Shackleton, it was never enough.
What I find even more fascinating about Shackleton isn’t what happened during his legendary Endurance expedition—it’s what happened after. Despite his incredible feat of saving his crew and the world-wide fame his exploits drew, Shackleton couldn’t stop chasing, couldn’t stop seeking. Just four years later, he returned to the sea, embarking on another expedition —his last. Tragically, he passed away near South Georgia at the age of 47 due to failing health. Reflecting on his relentless drive, he once told a reporter, “I shall go on going, old man, until one day I shall not come back.”
While some may look at this and think, “That’s great! He pursued his passion until his final day,” I see it differently. Shackleton’s unquenchable thirst for achievement kept him away from the love of his life, his wife, Emily, and their three children: Cecily, Edward, and Raymond. He couldn’t be happy at home with his family; he needed to be out accomplishing great feats. Achievement often feeds the ego, but at some point, we must outgrow this insatiable need and shift our focus toward others: our family, friends, or causes that extend beyond ourselves.
Shackleton suffered from what I call the High-Achiever’s Curse. I recognize its manifestations because I have it too.
Like Shackleton, we high achievers often feel a gravitational pull to keep striving, even after accomplishing remarkable things. This drive can be fueled by societal expectations, personal ambition, or fear of irrelevance. For me, it stems from an internal belief that nothing I’ve done is ever truly good enough; there is always more to achieve.
Not only do those of us who suffer from this curse keep chasing and striving, but we also forget what we’ve already accomplished, focusing instead on what still needs to be done.
A few months ago, I caught myself complaining to someone about feeling unaccomplished because, in my mind, I hadn’t “done anything” in months. They quickly reminded me that, in just a short period, I had changed command in Europe, moved my family back to North Carolina, retired from the military, and launched several major writing projects. Unfortunately, it took their comment to make me realize that, yes, I had actually done a lot in a very short period of time.
Shackleton’s relentless pursuit for achievement serves as a cautionary tale: without balance, this cycle can distance us from what really matters: our relationships, our health, and our ability to appreciate life. Most importantly, it can prevent us from recognizing and appreciating ourselves for what we have already accomplished.
A few years ago, I began taking deliberate steps to counter the high achiever’s curse. While it’s not a perfect solution, it helps me slow down and appreciate what I’ve achieved. At the end of each year, rather than rushing toward new goals, I take time to reflect on and celebrate what I’ve already accomplished.
- First, I revisit the books I’ve read throughout the year. I take the time to think through the lessons and themes I’ve absorbed, ensuring I reflect on them before moving on to another year of reading.
- Next, I review my accomplishments—big and small. This practice helps me pause and appreciate the hard work I’ve put in. Like many high-achievers, I have the memory of a goldfish when it comes to acknowledging my efforts. Instead of patting myself on the back, I’m usually too busy tackling the next big thing.
- Finally, I established a daily habit of reviewing and recording my accomplishments in my journal. It’s why I incorporated this practice into the format of The Leader’s 90-Day Notebook. These days, I even include small but meaningful moments, like taking my kids to school, in my daily review. Those morning accomplishments have taken on a renewed significance in my life.
Reflection doesn’t come naturally to high achievers, but it’s essential. It allows us to step off the treadmill of relentless striving and appreciate what we’ve accomplished. Shackleton’s story reminds us of the dangers of endless pursuit, but it also offers a valuable lesson: the importance of pausing to reflect, recalibrate, and ensure we’re not consumed by the chase. And in those rare, quiet moments we give ourselves, we can take a breath, pat ourselves on the back, and say: Job well done.
Joe Byerly is the founder and director of From the Green Notebook and host of the podcast. He officially retired from the U.S. Army on August 31, 2024. If this post resonated with you or sparked any questions, feel free to reach out to him at Joe@fromthegreennotebook.com.
