Forget your optionality

Burn the bridges behind you

In 1812, Napoleon invaded Russia, marching his army toward Moscow on the Smolensk road. To prevent retreat he burned the bridges behind them, forcing his troops forward with no option to go back.

We often try to preserve too many options in life, afraid to commit fully to one path. In some cases, optionality is a good thing but often it can paralyze and distract us from our life’s mission—from doing what we know deep down needs to be done.