Burn the ships
What does it mean and how it can change your life?
There are many problems with motivating yourself when you want to accomplish something. The constant need to fuel energy could be problematic and if you really require that motivation to just keep moving, you are doing something wrong. Most of the time, most people just abandon their dreams and passions.
But let me tell you something. What if you don’t really have a choice? What if you are forced to do something, and the only way is forward?
That’s what we are going to talk about right now. About finding a way to force yourself to success
The phrase is not something new and it’s not too revolutionary, but it can definitely improve your life. It will take time tho.
Back in 1519 Hernán Cortés landed in Mexico. Cortés made something controversial but he ordered the burning of the Spanish ships. This act alone sends a message to the crew - you either succeed or die. A little harsh, but the reason that they didn’t have a way back and retreat wasn’t an option any more, they succeeded.
This is what you have to do and I will tell you a few ways you can achieve it.
- Talk about it
If you have a plan, or have interest in something, you can try to shout that to the world. Two main things can happen. You are going to do it and people will congratulate you or you will fail and your ego will suffer.
Not a good choice, you may say, but that’s the reason why this could be powerful.
Most people are afraid of other people’s opinion and this could be an extremely powerful force that can move you forward. The constant stress that you will be mocked or ashamed if you don’t do what you are talking about, is gonna be the driving force.
For some of you this may not work, and could be too stressful, but at least give it a try. A small step is still better than no steps at all.
Making you plan public could also drive supporters and they could provide motivation when needed. It could also be a moment when you can find great friends and business partners.
Of Course this is not applicable only to business and entrepreneurship, but to careers, hobbies and so on.
- Small baby steps
Another possible way to achieve the burning of your ships is by making and pushing in the right direction with simple, but constant steps.
Plan everything ahead and stay consistent.
If you want to become an animation creator, don’t wait for that special day. Make a promise to yourself to model or draw daily. Do it and share it on every platform. After a while, buy yourself the tools to advance and progress.
It could be small, but it has to be consistent. It has to happen every day and you should make a plan. Without a plan, you don’t move.
- Deadlines
This could really stress some people, but I have found it is one of the best ways to drive yourself.
How can I procrastinate when I don’t really have time?
I remember when I took a small project ( personal ) site to do and since I already had some bigger projects, I left it for a week or two. At some point I realized, a time has passed and I haven’t even started. I did the only logical thing. I called the client and told him the project is done and I can make a demo in the next three days. He was happy to hear it and we scheduled a meeting.
What do you think happened? I had to do it! And I did it!
I didn’t really leave myself a choice and I spent the next two days coding. The project was done, the client was happy and everything went perfect.
Was there a possibility of failure? Ofcourse! But if I didn’t do it, It could have taken one or two more weeks.
Making it real
Some people prefer to not talk about and do everything in silence. That’s a good approach if you have the willpower to do it.
I always advocate for burning the ships and I believe one of the best approaches is just to say it. When you make a plan, when you divide everything by sections and explain and document your journey, you don’t have a choice, but to succeed. You have to succeed!
Not doing it, means a horrible stroke to the ego. And we, as people, don’t really like that.
Don’t make promises that you cannot do and don’t talk about the impossible. Make real goals and stick to them.
Burn your ships!
Why is motivation alone not working?
When I say that, I mean that the driving force is not the motivation. It is more like a car. The fuel itself is not that. The fuel is not the motivation, but the habit behind it.
Motivation works in the beginning. It can drive us there, but it needs fuel all the time. And that fuel has to come from somewhere else. Burning the ships is one of the greatest fuels. It can give us the throttle.
Advice
Be consistent with your work and find the best way to burn the ships. You really have to find that process, that will leave you no other chance, but to succeed. You need to move only one way - forward.
Keep it up, stay consistent and burn every possible ship. No safety nests and no turning back!
Good luck!