The Cost of Waiting

Disclaimer: This article references war and acts committed in war. Reader discretion is advised.

On November 11th, 1918, Henry Gunther woke up the same way as he had for the last several months: in France, fighting on the Western Front in World War I. Except today was going to be different, he thought to himself. He was going to finally prove everyone wrong.

Drafted into the war effort 1 year earlier in September 1917, the 22 year old Baltimore native had had a rough go. So much so, in July of 1918, 10 months into his enlistment, he wrote a letter to a friend back home describing the “miserable conditions” and urged him to avoid being drafted. As the story goes, the letter was intercepted by an Army postal censor, and news of his complaint reached his commander. Consequently Gunther was demoted from the rank of sergeant to a mere private.

Insulted and obsessed on redeeming his reputation, Gunther vowed to earn the respect of his leaders and fellow soldiers. And so in a small French village on November 11th 1918, at 10:59 am, Henry Gunther, against direct orders, leapt from the American battlements to charge the German line with a fixed bayonet.

Ignoring the cries of his fellow Americans, and the warnings of the German soldiers to turn back, Gunther ran firing his gun. Reluctantly, the German soldiers defended their position with machine gun fire, and Gunther was killed instantly.

1 minute later, the Great War ended at 11 am, and everyone lowered their weapons.

The German soldiers carried his body back to the American line, where he was buried by his friends. Today many have forgotten the story of Henry Gunther, the last American soldier, and the last active duty soldier from any side…to die in World War I, but his story represents a much more tragic lesson we should remember as we reflect on Veterans Day.

You see, by the time Henry Gunther made his last desperate attempt, the war had technically been over for nearly six hours. The Armistice had been signed by the Germans earlier that day at 5:10 am. However, all sides agreed to end “At the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month” simply because they wanted the ending to be more symbolic. “Peace at the 11th hour” some said.

But what was the cost of the delay?

Historians estimate that in the nearly 6 hours between the Armistice being signed, and coming into effect, there were 10,944 casualties and 2,738 deaths. The last of which was Henry Gunther.

That’s 10,944 life altering injuries and 2,738 lives that could have been saved if everyone had agreed to act, and not delay.

(Photo: Painting depicting the signature of the armistice)

What does this sobering story have to do with influence and success?

Simply put: do it now.

If you have reached a decision, do it now.

If you have given something a lot of thought and feel ready for the next step? Do it now.

So often we make great decisions, but then delay putting those decisions into action. How many opportunities do we lose, and how many chances pass us by because we wait? Do it now.

What stops us from acting? Maybe we are waiting for the right “symbolic” moment. Maybe we are waiting for conditions to improve. Or maybe we aren’t sure of ourselves…

Whatever the cause, maybe this thought will give you the nudge you need to take that first step. Here it is:

Today you woke up better positioned (than ever before) to be successful.

• At this moment in time, you have more knowledge and experience than you’ve ever had in your entire life.
• You’ve never been THIS talented, THIS prepared, and THIS ready to take advantage of opportunities.
• You’ve never had the resources or abilities to create a higher likelihood of success than in this moment.
• There is no better time to start than right now.

Just like growing trees, success takes time. The famous WWII General George Patton famously said, “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan next week.”

Do it now.

Make the phone call. Send the letter. Make the trip to see the person. Block out your calendar to do the thing. Take the step forward, and don’t look back.

Do it now.

(Photo: The Gunther Memorial in France, courtesy of USWarmemorials.org)

In 2008, 90 years after Henry Gunther’s sacrifice, the townspeople of Ville-devant-Chaumont in northeastern France gathered at the edge of a remote field to honor the site where the last soldier died in the Great War. There they erected an American flag, “En Hommage a Henry Gunther” as well as to the memory of all other soldiers who left their homes to fight on behalf of distant people in distant lands.

But maybe this memorial also stands as a reminder of what happens when we postpone moving forward, and to the 10,944 casualties and 2,738 lives that were lost because those in leadership delayed… waiting for a more “symbolic” moment.

This Veterans Day, may we honor those in our time who have similarly borne the battle, and carried our freedoms on their shoulders. All we have and hold is because of their sacrifice, and the full measure of devotion of generations who have gone before.

For your service and example, we thank you. And may we honor your efforts by striving to positively serve and impact the lives of others.

There’s never been a better time. Let’s do it now.

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 wife. Reach him at: TheChristianHansen.com