Episode: 628

Episode Title: Have You Burned Your Ships?

As we start the new year, there’s never been a better time to burn your ships. Here’s what I mean by that, coming up next on The Perna Syndicate.

Ep 628 show:

This is The Perna Syndicate—I’m glad you’re here! Have you ever heard the phrase “burn your ships”? It basically means to get rid of your safety net, your backup plan, your escape route so that you have no choice but to move forward. 

This idea originated hundreds of years ago—in 1519, to be exact. That year, a Spanish expedition led by Hernán Cortés landed in Mexico. Cortés knew his crew was already exhausted after the long journey, but he had to motivate them to succeed in this new land. So he ordered the scuttling of the ships they arrived in. The ships burned. No turning back now. 

If the ships had been in sight, available for a hasty retreat, they would be the easy choice once the going got tough. By destroying the safety net, Cortés secured his crew’s motivation, dedication, and teamwork. With no ships to save them, each person had a vested interest in succeeding. 

This is something to consider as you make New Year’s resolutions and goals. Sometimes when we make changes in our lives, we leave the safety net up…just in case. We give ourselves the option to go backward, to lose the ground we’ve made. I’d encourage you to consider if there are any ships you need to burn. 

Success is not something we achieve once; it must be chosen every day of the year. And moving forward, not backward, is a lot easier when it’s the only choice we give ourselves. 

Tomorrow: If you’re feeling stuck and not sure what goals to set this year, you’re not alone. On the next episode of The Perna Syndicate, we’ll talk about a strategy that might just help. See you then!