Burn the ships
The story goes that in 1519, Hernán Cortés arrived on the coast of what is now Mexico with a small force of Spanish soldiers. They were about to face the powerful Aztec Empire, vastly outnumbered and in completely unfamiliar territory.
To prevent retreat, Cortés ordered his men to destroy their ships. The idea was simple; there was no turning back. The only path was forward—either conquer or die. “Burn the ships” means to eliminate the option of turning back, forcing full commitment to a course of action.
When faced with a big decision in life (career, relationships, investing) it’s natural to want a safety net. Having a backup plan feels like the smart move. Often, however, the very presence of a backup is the thing keeping us from being fully committed to a choice. We waffle.
Backup plans offer comfort, not clarity. They make the unknown feel manageable. That comfort often leads to delay, distraction, and diluted effort. When a Plan B exists, Plan A becomes optional. It’s easy to convince ourselves we’re making progress when really, we’re just going in circles.
The “burn the ships” mentality eliminates the easy way out. It forces action and focus. You can only go forward, so get going. It’s not about being reckless; it’s about commitment.
If there’s something important you’ve been putting off, ask yourself: what would change if there were no way back? Maybe it’s time to burn the ships.