"وقتی ارتش شما از مرز عبور کرده است، باید قایق‌ها و پل‌هایتان را بسوزانید تا به همه روشن سازید که هیچ گونه دلتنگی برای بازگشت به خانه ندارید."

Sometimes, when you truly want to succeed in something, you need to remove any possibility of retreat. This forces you to put all your effort into moving forward. The core idea here is about commitment. Once you've made a decision, you must eliminate any way to back out. It’s a powerful motivator, ensuring that you and everyone involved are entirely focused on the goal ahead.

Historically, this idea has roots in the actions of military leaders. One famous instance is when the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived in the New World. In 1519, he landed on the coast of what is now Mexico. To prevent his men from even thinking about retreat, he ordered them to burn their ships. This drastic act made it clear: there was no going back. They had no choice but to press forward, to conquer, or die trying. This story has become a classic example of commitment.

Now, let’s bring this into a real-life scenario. Picture yourself as an entrepreneur. You’ve got this incredible idea for a startup that’s been brewing in your mind for years. Finally, you decide to make the leap. You quit your job, invest your savings, and rent a tiny office. You’re all in. But here’s where the burning of boats comes in—there’s no more safety net. No cushy job to fall back on, no comfortable savings account to dip into. You've committed everything to this venture. And because of that, you’re driven to work harder, think creatively, solve every problem – failure isn’t an option.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your life? Start by identifying your goals and the safety nets that might hold you back. If you want to run a marathon, sign up for the race and tell all your friends. That way, backing out becomes too embarrassing. Want to write a book? Announce it on social media, creating an expectation from others that you’ll finish it. The trick is to create a situation where retreating is more painful than pushing forward.

Now, imagine Sarah. She's been dreaming of becoming a chef but has been stuck in a dead-end office job. She loves cooking, but the security of a steady paycheck keeps her from taking the plunge. One day, she decides enough is enough. She quits her job, enrolls in culinary school, and starts a food blog. She even sells her car to pay for tuition, opting to use public transport instead. Sarah has burned her boats—there’s no turning back now. She’s got to succeed because she’s removed the option to do anything else. The pressure might seem intense, but it sharpens her focus and fuels her passion.

When you cut off escape routes, you force yourself to give your all. It’s like being at the edge of a cliff with only one way to go: forward. This level of commitment can be scary, sure. But it’s also incredibly freeing. You’re not weighed down by what-ifs. You’re fully in the moment, dedicated and driven.

So, next time you’re hesitating about a big decision, think of Cortés and his burning ships. Sometimes, the only way to achieve greatness is to make sure you’ve got no other choice.