Burn the Ships!

Are you Committed to your quest?!

Oct 22, 2023

Hey Friends,

We all put ourselves through the grind every day. Well, maybe some of us, if not most.

Sunshine or rain, we get our dose of pain. This could be a workout, planning your day ahead, taking that cold shower in the morning, walking your dog in the cold morning, or even having to stay away from candy till you get to your cheat day.

For me, one thing I need to do sometime during the day is to catch up and read through financial news from different parts of the world. Do I need to do this? Maybe not, but everyone has their “thing”. This is one of my “things”.

Do I enjoy it - sure, most of the time. That’s my process to get into the mental headspace which allows my brain to contemplate and think about various things. It’s the gateway for my mind to explore opportunities. If for a couple of days, I am starved of this knowledge, I start getting anxious - so yes, it is a blessing and a curse.

It’s just something I have to do.

This newsletter for this week is another example. I am traveling for work and arrived at my hotel in New Jersey in the evening at about 8ish and by the time I got to sleep a couple of hours later, I was awake for over 24 hours. I have been up now since 4 a.m. - Partly to work on the post, but also partly due to time zone differences, new bed, new environment, etc.

I could have used the “traveling for work” card and canceled the post for this week. But then next week there could be a visitor at my house, or my kids had to attend a birthday party, etc etc. Staying committed is hard, and sometimes you make sacrifices to keep commitments.

My personal experience is that whatever you sacrifice in the short term, you tend to more than makeup in the long run. It’s easy to commit to something in favorable circumstances, sticking to commitments even when things are tough is another story altogether. This becomes a really potent tool in the hands of people who understand how to harness it.

I was reading a newsletter from one of my favorite productivity specialists earlier this week- Ali Abdaal, and I came across this metaphor of the audacious Hernan Cortes.

The Metaphor: Burn the Ships

Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conquistador who burned his ships upon arriving in Mexico in 1519. It was a deliberate attempt to garner commitment from the crew accompanying him.

The message? Simple. Retreat is not an option.

By destroying their means of retreat, he conveyed to his men that they must commit fully to the challenges ahead - that there could be no turning back.

With the elimination of the back door exit, his men had to be find that inner resolve to go through with the plans and ensure it’s success.

It was a bold strategy, but one that undoubtedly strengthened their resolve and drive.

How Commitment Fuels Personal Growth and Success

Let’s explore how this example can be used either in your daily life or even at work and how this can lead to personal growth.

In a workplace setting when leaders and peers show commitment to the company's mission and values, they tend to influence the workforce positively. Commitment fosters productive teamwork, problem-solving, and the ability to overcome obstacles that may seem daunting.

This would not work if teams and individuals hoped for the downfall or failure of others. Everyone should feel the impact equally hence why this metaphor is relevant. Burning the ships ensures there are no “favorites” or “protected” people who escape when things get tough.

You win or lose as a team.

No Exit Strategy

By using the metaphor of burning the ships to illustrate commitment, it is made evident that staying committed is equivalent to having no escape plan. Giving your full commitment to whatever you intend to accomplish, gets you into that frame of mind that you need to get through the grind no matter what.

Most people who have achieved any success in life will agree that one of the lessons they bring forward is to keep pushing forward and stick with it till you breakthrough.

Effort and Sacrifice

This is a no-brainer. Nothing in life worthwhile comes without effort and sacrifice. The prize is even more enjoyable when you have undergone circumstances where most people would have given up. When you provide you have committed to something, then no prevailing circumstances should override that commitment. There is an element of effort and sacrifice that accompanies commitment.

Those who are committed possess the bravery to make difficult decisions, the self-control to maintain concentration, and the tenacity to get over challenges. All of this fuels personal growth.

Staying committed in Tough Situations

Now while it is indeed easy to say “Stay committed”, It is hard to apply. However, it’s not impossible. Here are some steps that can help you build resilience and stay committed to achieving success in whatever you do:

Big Picture: Keep sight of what inspired you the drive in the first place. Visualizing the end goal can help fuel your drive in tough situations.
Break It Down: As was also shared in an earlier article, achieving goals becomes more easier when it is in bite-sized chunks. Break the big tasks into smaller tasks that are easier to manage and focus on. Hitting through small pieces one after the other is more effective than trying to solve the larger problem in one go.
Inner Peace and Harnessing Your Mental Energy: In the words of Master Shifu ( Kung Fu Panda movie) “the ability to harness the flow of the universe, enabling one to do the seemingly impossible”. While I may have just referenced a quote from a character of an animated movie, it distills some wisdom that we can use in the context of this discussion.
Mental resilience is paramount when it comes to commitment. A strong resolve and managing the mental game is essential in fighting through tough situations. Our pre-programmed defensive brain always focuses on the negatives. Reprogramming your mind takes a bit of effort. Self-care routines such as mindfulness, and rest can help manage, preserve, and replenish your mental energy.
Surround yourself with your crew: I know I’ve shared this in one of my earlier posts - find your crew who can help you navigate. Your network of friends, family, and mentors can provide timely support and advice. These are people who you can be completely open with and you know that they have your best interest at heart.

To summarize with some of the nuggets:

You need to make the price of giving up harder than pushing forward. Giving up is easy, and hence why people tend to take that road.

Unwavering commitment serves as a catalyst for advancement and achievement. When you are able to manage your energy levels and work with equally committed people, you are able to achieve success together. Finding that vision that unites everyone together is essential for everyone to have a shared commitment.

Remember, The ships at bay have no stories to tell. It’s the ones that go through the storm and survived that legends are made of. Be that ship that goes through the storm and tells the stories of resilience and tenacity that inspires others to do the same.

With the right mindset, tools, and support system, you can continue to stay committed and conquer your goals. Your conquest awaits!

What tales do you have to tell? Please leave a comment and like this article if it has provoked some thought or has inspired you.

By George!

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