447 Years Late?
Jun 19, 2026
Have you ever worked really hard at something and wondered, what’s the use?
Maybe you had a goal…
Maybe you were trying to overcome an obstacle…
…And despite consistent effort over time, felt like you were getting nowhere.
No matter who you are, that’s a frustrating experience.
But what if in the grand scheme of things, your hard work is never wasted?
This past week, that lesson was brought home with sparkling clarity all because of a star.
And not just any star… but one of the most important in human history.
If you’ve ever gazed at the night sky, you’ve probably seen the North Star.
It gets its name because no matter the rotation of the earth, and no matter the time of year, if you are in the northern hemisphere, the North Star is always… well… north.
In the ages before GPS, Google Maps, and even compasses, people relied on the heavens for navigation. And few stars were as critical for helping explorers and travelers alike than Polaris, the North Star.
But the thing that most people don’t know about Polaris is that… it’s 447 light years away.
That’s right… when you look up to the heavens and see it pointing northward you are actually looking at light that has taken 4 ½ centuries to soar across the immensity of space to reach you.
Just think about it.
447 years ago…
Shakespeare AND Galileo were just teenagers.
The first Queen Elizabeth ruled from the throne of England.
Tomatoes, corn, chocolate, potatoes, and peppers were just making their way from the New World to the Old.
And light, bursting from a star all those centuries ago, has been hurtling through trillions upon trillions of miles ever since… to briefly sparkle high above your head.
Pretty amazing, right?
That’s because in space… no energy is ever wasted.
But what does this have to do with influence and success?
I recently reviewed a journal entry from several years ago.
At the time I was wrestling with some heavy problems… but distinctly recall making several decisions which have since shaped my life in profound ways.
A bright commitment made years ago… continues to shine in my life today.
I also think of my grandfather who was the first to leave the family farm, and pursue a higher education.
His spark of effort continues to guide generations of his descendants who continue to increase their opportunities through education.
But this isn’t about me and my family. It’s really about you.
I’m sure if you took the time, you can likewise recall people or decisions… even though they occurred years and possibly decades ago… that continue to burn brightly in your life.
They may, like the North Star, provide much needed direction and guidance in difficult times.
Because when it comes to improving yourself…just as in space… no energy is wasted.
When it comes to changing your life… just as in the vast expanse of the universe… no light ever stops until it reaches its destination.
So the next time when you are frustrated…
Next time when you feel like giving up…
And next time you wonder if you’ve made any difference…
What if your effort hasn’t been wasted?
It’s just travelling further than you imagined. To illuminate the journey of your future self… or someone you haven’t met…
Possibly centuries from now.
Because Polaris never set out to be the North Star.
It just kept making light.
And so can you.
Christian
CHRISTIAN HANSEN has gone behind the scenes in some of the biggest organizations in the world to find out the reasons why some people get chosen and why others don’t. As the #1 bestselling and LinkedIn Top Ten ranked author of “The Influence Mindset: The Art & Science of Getting People to Choose You” Christian helps teams and organizations who want to stand out and be the obvious choice. With degrees from Brigham Young University and The London School of Economics, he’s helped thousands of individuals position and sell themselves. A fan of international communication, history, and choral music, he currently lives in Utah with his family. Reach him at: TheChristianHansen.com
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