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.

You have your battles. You’ve wanted to keep choices open in case your first option fails. But leaving too many doors open leads to self-sabotage, tempting you to retreat, to abandon your mission.

Don't get lost in options B, C, D and beyond. Skip them and go all in on Plan A. Lean into what's right in front of you with total commitment refusing to surrender or retreat and you’ll be forced to execute.

The cost of failure is the lowest it’s ever been in history of the world. Sometimes you need to have the courage to burn your bridges and charge forward.

Victory is imminent.