The Difference Between Difficult and Impossible

Adrian S. Potter
3 min readFeb 23, 2024

Just a little bit of time and willpower.

Photo by Martin Wyall on Unsplash

The Secondhand Inspiration Project begins with a motivational quote and ventures wherever the creative path meanders.

Fridtjof Nansen was a Norwegian renowned for his achievements as an explorer, scientist, diplomat, and humanitarian. He gained international recognition for pioneering expeditions to the Arctic regions, including his attempt to reach the North Pole.

Nansen’s innovative use of sled dogs and groundbreaking theory on ocean currents significantly advanced polar exploration. Beyond exploration, he earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922 for his humanitarian work in aid of displaced refugees after World War I. Nansen’s diplomatic efforts led to the creation of the “Nansen Passport,” aiding stateless refugees.

His multifaceted legacy embodies courage, scientific ingenuity, and a deep commitment to humanitarian causes, leaving an indelible mark on exploration, science, and global humanitarian efforts. Nansen shared this insightful quote –

“The difficult is what takes a little time; the impossible is what takes a little longer.

- which summarizes a reflective perspective on facing challenges. Let’s break it down.

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Adrian S. Potter

Antisocial Extrovert · Writer and Poet, Engineer, Consultant, Public Speaker · Writing about self-improvement, gratitude, and creativity · www.adrianspotter.com