It is not enough that we do our best; sometimes we must do what is required.
Sir Winston Churchill
Den Dunkirk Evacuation is one of the most remarkable stories of World War II. In May 1940, British and Allied forces found themselves trapped on the Dunkirk beaches, surrounded by the advancing German army. Evacuation seemed impossible, with limited resources and the Luftwaffe dominating the skies.
The official plan, Operation Dynamo, aimed to evacuate 45,000 troops. However, Churchill knew “doing their best” wouldn’t cut it. Britain faced annihilation if they lost these troops. He demanded the “impossible” and issued Operation Dynamo’s “miracle” order to evacuate 338,000 men. This order was instrumental in mobilizing an unprecedented armada of all available vessels, both military and civilian vessels, from destroyers and gunboats to fishing boats and pleasure yachts, transforming the fleet into a lifeline. Over eight days, under constant aerial bombardment, 860 vessels ferried back 338,226 troops, defying expectations and achieving a miracle. This success not only saved the British Expeditionary Force but also preserved the core of its fighting spirit, crucial for the war’s eventual outcome.
The Dunkirk Evacuation is a testament to Churchill’s leadership and his principle of doing what’s “required,” even if it seems impossible. Doing what’s “required” can lead to amazing results and even miracles. You need to do what’s “required,” even if it seems daunting, risky or even impossible. You need to challenge yourself and others to go beyond the limits of what we think we can do.
So, the next time you face a difficult or important task, don’t settle for doing your best. Do what’s “required.” Starting is the hardest part, but once you jump in and begin doing you’ll be on your way to achieving your goals. You can’t get much done in life if you only work on days when you feel good and things are easy. Sometimes, you have to stop waiting for the motivation to arrive, and just do it. Action is all that matters. There are no shortcuts to doing remarkable work.
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