Burn your boats!!!

You have to go as far back as 207 BC and the 1520's to appreciate the value of taking a decisive step to achieve complete control over a particular set of circumstances.

It involves stepping into the dark; not knowing where you are going, but trusting your gut that there is something better out there; that the prevailing situation pales in comparison to what is deep in the belly of the darkness. That the raging fire in you will shed a bright light into the path that will lead to your dream.

In the China of 207 BC during the great battle of Julu, Xiang's army advanced towards Julu and he sent Ying Bu and Zhongli Mo to lead the 20,000 strong vanguard army to cross the river and attack the Qin forces led by Zhang Ham, while he followed behind with the remaining majority of the troops. In a decision which has become legendary in Chinese history, after crossing the river, Xiang ordered his men to sink their boats and destroy all but three days worth of rations, in order to force his men to choose between prevailing against overwhelming odds within three days or die trapped before the walls of the city with no supplies or hope of escape. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Chu forces scored a great victory after nine engagements, defeating the 300,000 strong Qin army.

Hernando Cortes the Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire in the 1520s was a very ambitious and colourful character. After landing on the eastern coast of Mexico, he realised that in front of him was a massive and very wealthy native empire. Behind him in Cuba was an angry governor, disgrace, and possible imprisonment.  Cortes decided that he would march inland with his Spaniards and conquer the Aztec Empire, which had a million or more inhabitants with a reputation for cruelty and human sacrifice. He decided that the best way to enforce absolute unity under his command and make sure that no one could desert or stay behind was to burn his ships, which he did. After that no one had any other choice. They would conquer together or die together. There was no other option. Incredible as it seems Cortes won his gamble and conquered the Aztecs. Xiang and Cortes offer us priceless lessons; we have to take risks. Of course, calculated  risks are better,but what if you do not have the luxury of calculating the odds that may be overwhelmingly stacked against you? Do you move on or do you freeze at your station in life with the unfortunate attitude that there is nothing that you can do? Martin Luther King Jr. urges us to take the first step in faith. You do not have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. That is all it takes. Gather the critical mass of anger that will propel you away from this situation. Put your foot forward and let the next one follow. Before you know it, you will be distances away from this situation that is bottling your very soul. Each step that you direct forward will be a testament of your unfailing belief in yourself, your abilities, and in your God. Circumstances need not shackle you. Do not be a prisoner. Unlock yourself. It is good to fear. It is even better to acknowledge the fear, look it in the eye and challenge it to do its worst. That fear will dissipate. As Xiang and Cortes did, you must burn your boats. Move forward with laser beam focus and you will attain your goal. Do not entertain the prospect of failure. Think success. Think of your dreams. Think of a better life that is reaching out to you. Waiting to embrace you. It is Napoleon Hill who cements this idea in ways I can only dream of: Every person who wins an undertaking must be willing to cut all sources of retreat. Only by doing so can one be sure of maintaining that state of mind known as a burning desire to win-essential to success. BURN YOUR BOATS!!!