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This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it Email this article to a friend No Option of Retreat (Commitment, Overcoming Fear, Taking action) Traveling from Spain, Hernando Cortez neared the coast of what is now Mexico in November, 1519. Cortez knew it was crucial for him to accomplish his objective of starting a colony in this new world. He was prepared for battle and arrived with several ships full of troops. However, as he landed on the shore, he faced an unpleasant reality: There were about 300 native warriors to every soldier in Cortez's battalion.
Still unwilling to back down, Cortez knew he was going to need the absolute best effort from every one of his men in order to accomplish his goal. Once on shore, he instructed his men to unload everything on the ships. The troops couldn't understand why everything needed to be unloaded.
Out of his immense dedication and passion to succeed, Cortez ordered the ships to be burned. The troops were shocked, but they were quick to realize it meant one thing: There would be no retreat. The soldiers knew that they must win in order to live. The soldiers' level of commitment immediately increased. They were now 100% dedicated to giving everything they had.
This battle would became one of the most well-known and impressive battles in history. Despite all odds, Cortez was victorious.
How did he achieve his goal? He demanded the best from himself and those around him. But more importantly, he didn't give himself a chance to back out--what a powerful strategy to use in everyday life! Although I do not endorse Cortez's character or his values, I do think this strategy for success is both practical and powerful. To get the most out of ourselves and our life, we must be willing to give the best effort we have. Look at it this way: It's much easier to give your best when it's the only option you give yourself.
Many people don't get the most out of themselves simply because they've prepared a way to back out. In other words, they've prepared for defeat before they even get into battle! And sometimes we justify why it doesn't even make sense to try. We may rationalize with ourselves until we're convinced that it's okay to withdraw, pull out, or call it off when the times get tough.
Reading about Cortez only a few years ago had a dramatic affect on my life. Instead of making it easy to slip out of tough situations, I purposefully "burned my ships."
For the first nineteen years of my life, public speaking was my greatest fear--worse than sharks, hypodermic needles, and homework! I did anything to avoid it. But once my first book came out, I started to get a large number of requests to speak at various venues. I cringed every time, but part of me knew that I would eventually have to face my fears and speak in front of crowds if I really wanted to help more people.
At a book signing, I was asked the dreaded question, "Do you speak to school assemblies?" So many thoughts rushed through my head: "I could . . . but what I screwed up? What if I try hard and people don't like it?"
"Yes." I quickly said blocking out my thoughts . "Sure I do." We exchanged information and later confirmed the speech.
"What have I done?" I thought. There was no way to back out. I committed. I gave my word and now I had to do it--no exceptions! Well, the next few weeks I lived in fear about giving this speech.
When the speech day finally came, I was sweating bullets. Petrified, worried, and anxious. I struggled to cough up each word of my presentation, but not surprisingly, I survived. Although this wasn't a pleasant experience for me, I learned something extremely valuable. I knew that if I could make it through that speech, then I could do it again--no matter how scared I felt initially.
As I look back now, I am really grateful that I committed to give that speech because I learned the power of "burning my ships." By throwing myself into the deep end, I had to swim. I could only grow stronger--there was no other option.
Today, I enjoy so many benefits as a result of that one commitment to give a speech. I get to travel all over the country to speak to crowds of different sizes, ages, and backgrounds--and I actually enjoy it!
Our "ships" are the excuses we create for ourselves that allow us to retreat if we feel scared, nervous, or doubtful. So I ask you, "What "ships" may be holding you back from a 100% commitment?"
- Kent Healy Next Steps:
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Content Copyright "Cool Stuff" Media, Inc. 2008
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