The world is changing, and AI is here to stay. If you’ve been paying attention, you know that everything from customer service to creative jobs is being disrupted by automation. 

But before we dive into the solutions, let me share a story that might give you a bit of perspective—one that’s stuck with me ever since I first heard it.

The Story That Set Me Thinking

A while back, I found myself in London, taking in the sights and soaking up the atmosphere. It was a Sunday morning, and the streets were nearly empty. As I walked near Trafalgar Square, something completely unexpected happened: I ended up face-to-face with the Duke of Wellington!

For context, the Duke was the first cousin of the Queen at the time, so this wasn’t your average street encounter. I was caught off guard, but we ended up chatting briefly. It’s a moment I won’t forget, and I even have a picture to prove it. But, funnily enough, that’s not the story I want to tell you today! 

While I was in London, I decided to make the effort to visit a specific site that was quite a bit out of the way. It wasn’t just for the experience—it was because there was one object there that I absolutely had to see for myself: a 23-foot lifeboat.

This lifeboat, however, wasn’t just any boat. It’s tied to a story of survival that still resonates today. The boat belonged to none other than Sir Ernest Shackleton, a British Antarctic explorer who became famous for leading one of the most remarkable survival stories in history.

Shackleton set sail in 1914 for the South Pole, with a crew of 27 men aboard a ship ironically named Endurance. Their voyage, which should’ve been an epic adventure, quickly turned into a nightmare when their ship became trapped by ice in the Weddell Sea, thousands of miles from any help. For nearly two years, Shackleton and his men were stranded in the freezing, desolate wilderness, two years!

And if that wasn’t bad enough, the Endurance was eventually crushed by the ice, leaving them stranded on Elephant Island—just a rocky outpost in the middle of nowhere.

Now, here’s where the story really hits home. After months of survival in that barren place, Shackleton knew that the only way to save his men was to attempt something almost unimaginable. He gathered a few volunteers and set off on a perilous journey across 800 miles of treacherous seas in that very same 23-foot lifeboat I’d gone to see.

I’ll be honest. I can barely imagine how that must’ve felt. I remember as a kid, the trip to our little property by Litchfield Lake in Illinois would take a very long time, and it was just seven miles down the lake, and we were in a ski boat with a big engine! The thought of traveling 800 miles in an open sea, on a boat the size of a large rowboat, seems absolutely insane. But that’s exactly what Shackleton did. And against all odds, he succeeded.

The AI Tsunami: Your Shackleton Moment

This is where it gets real. Just like Shackleton was faced with a dire situation, we are, too. We’re standing on the brink of an AI revolution, and our careers are under threat. AI is no longer science fiction—it’s here, and it’s affecting everything from customer service to creative roles. If you’re not careful, you might just find yourself on the wrong side of the wave.

But here’s the thing: just as Shackleton’s story became one of survival, adaptability, and leadership, your career story doesn’t have to end with the rise of AI. In fact, it could be the moment that you make your boldest, most brilliant pivot. You just have to be willing to face the reality of the situation, just like Shackleton did.

The key here is to recognize that AI is not a force to fight against, but rather one to embrace—or at least to creatively adapt to. Like Shackleton, you need to reinvent your approach to the future. You may end up in a different role than you expected, but the key to thriving in a rapidly changing world is to lead yourself through the change with authenticity and courage.

Step 1: Step Back and Reassess Your Situation

Before Shackleton took that 800-mile journey, he had to step back and reassess the situation. He wasn’t about to keep insisting on a plan that was no longer realistic. The goal of reaching the South Pole had become irrelevant to the situation at hand. The only priority now was survival.

That moment of reassessment was pivotal, and it’s the first step we all need to take when faced with big disruption. If you’re being threatened by AI, don’t bury your head in the sand. You’ve got to take a hard look at where you’re at.

Maybe you’re already seeing the writing on the wall, realizing that your job, your industry, or your career might not survive the rise of AI. Or maybe you’ve been ignoring it, hoping things will work themselves out. But now’s the time to face the reality. It’s time to look at your situation from a new angle.

If you’re unsure where to start, ask yourself this question: Do I know my true purpose, the “Why” behind what I do?

This is what I help people do every day—rediscover their core purpose and realign their careers with their authentic selves. When you understand your unique value, your talents, your purpose, it doesn’t matter how much the world changes. AI can’t take that away.

It might take courage, but now’s the time to ask: Am I aligned with my true calling, or have I gotten too caught up in a job that doesn’t really fulfill me?

Like Shackleton, to survive this disruption and thrive in the AI age, you’ve got to realign with the best version of yourself. Find your Why, and you’ll be ready to pivot to something new that AI can’t touch.

Step 2: Ride the AI Wave, Don’t Get Swept Away by It

Shackleton didn’t try to control the ice or the conditions he found himself in. Instead, he adapted. He used his resources—his crew, his skills, the environment—to find a way through.

And this is exactly how you need to approach AI. Don’t see it as an enemy, but rather a tool. AI is a wave that you can ride, if you know how to use it to your advantage.

Look, AI is already being used in all sorts of industries—from writing and designing to healthcare and customer service. The question isn’t whether AI is coming for your job—it’s how you’re going to use it to enhance your work and your life.

Think about it. AI can help you be more efficient, automate tedious tasks, and give you the time to focus on the parts of your job that truly require human creativity, empathy, and insight. So stop resisting it. Instead, figure out how you can integrate AI into your work, how you can use it to amplify your skills and talents.

Just like Shackleton used every resource he had, you can use AI to become more valuable. You don’t have to fear it. You just need to learn how to adapt.

Step 3: Take Massive Action Now

Shackleton didn’t hesitate. The moment he realized what needed to be done, he took immediate action. There was no waiting for a better time or hoping for a miracle. He moved, and fast.

You can’t afford to wait either. The time to act is now. AI isn’t going anywhere—it’s going to keep evolving and disrupting industries faster than most of us are ready for. So, start pivoting today. Take massive action now, and don’t wait for a crisis to force you into it.

You may need to upskill, rebrand yourself, or completely rethink your career. But don’t let fear or uncertainty hold you back. The sooner you start, the sooner you can start creating a future-proof career.

If you’re ready to take action and make that pivot, grab my free guide, Firepower: 7 Key Steps to Find Your Why. It’s designed to help you find clarity and navigate these changes with confidence. You don’t have to face this alone.

In Conclusion: Your Legacy Will Be Defined by Your Response, Not Your Role

Just like Shackleton’s legacy wasn’t about the expedition he’d planned, your legacy won’t be defined by the job you had. It’ll be defined by how you responded to the disruption. The decisions you make now—how you pivot, how you adapt—will shape the rest of your career.

So, step up. Take 2. And then take action.

Let’s ride this wave together.

Ready to make your pivot? Download my free guide at take2project.com today.