Sinclair's post | Quora

Why “Endeavour” Means More Than Just Trying Ever wondered why some words just hit different? For me, e n d e a v o u r is one of those. It’s not just a fancy way to say “try.” It's got this old-school elegance, but also a sense of grit and adventure. Seriously, whenever I see or hear “endeavour,” I get this mental image of explorers braving wild oceans, scientists chasing impossible dreams, or just regular people pushing through life’s mess. I wanted to talk a little about what this word means to me and why it feels especially powerful in our fast-paced, sometimes overwhelming world. My Personal Connection with “Endeavour” So, here’s the thing—I used to be the kind of person who quit when things got hard. I’d start a project, get super hyped, and then… as soon as it got tough or boring, boom, I’d drop it like a hot potato. The word “try” was in my vocabulary, but it felt flimsy. Like, “well, I tried. Shrug.” But “endeavour”? That’s a whole different vibe. It feels like sweat, persistence, and maybe a little bit of stubbornness. I remember last year when I signed up for my first half-marathon. I’m not a runner. I hated running my whole life. But something about that word—“endeavour”—just stuck in my brain. It wasn’t about winning or even finishing fast. It was about the effort, the journey, and showing up even when my legs felt like noodles and my lungs were screaming for mercy. Every time I wanted to quit, I’d tell myself, “This is your endeavour. It’s supposed to be hard. It’s supposed to test you.” And, spoiler alert: I finished. Not fast, not pretty, but I crossed that finish line with the goofiest grin on my face. Endeavour in Everyday Life The thing is, you don’t need to run marathons or climb mountains for your life to be an endeavour. Sometimes, just getting out of bed, showing up to work, or facing a tough conversation is an epic challenge. I see friends around me juggling jobs, kids, relationships, and their own dreams. Every single day, they’re in the thick of their own endeavours, even if nobody’s handing out medals for it. And honestly? That’s the stuff that inspires me the most. Not the big, flashy “look at me!” moments, but the quiet, stubborn effort people put in when nobody’s watching. Like my friend who’s learning a new language at 40, or my cousin who’s rebuilding her life after a rough breakup. That’s the real meaning of endeavour—showing up, day after day, even if progress is slow and the results aren’t immediate. Let’s Talk About the Struggle Here’s the unfiltered truth: endeavours are messy. You’ll probably fail a bunch of times. You’ll definitely doubt yourself. Maybe you’ll want to throw your laptop out the window (been there, done that). But the wild thing is, that’s what makes it all worth it. The ugly, awkward, sweaty parts are what turn a simple try into a real endeavour. And honestly, isn’t that way more interesting? Sometimes, I scroll through social media and everything looks so effortless. Perfect lives, perfect bodies, perfect careers. But I think what we really crave isn’t perfection—it’s stories of endeavour. The behind-the-scenes, the struggles, the small wins after a hundred fails. That’s the stuff I want to see and share. My Takeaway (And a Little Pep Talk) If you’re reading this and you’re in the middle of your own endeavour—whatever it is—I hope you know you’re not alone. Maybe you’re building a business, learning to cook, or just trying to keep your head above water. It all counts. It all matters. So next time you feel like giving up, remember: you’re not just trying. You’re endeavouring. And that’s pretty damn heroic, if you ask me. What’s your current endeavour? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to cheer you on. Let’s celebrate the messy, beautiful effort together!