In the Art of War, military leaders advise burning the boats when they arrive on shore as proof they are committed to the fight - no escape for the soldiers or their leaders. It’s a proven battle tactic that can also be applied in our lives.

Burning boats and burning bridges are not the same thing. Boats are intentional; you cut off your path of retreat. Bridges are often unintentional when you blow up everything around you, often with character attacks. I don’t recommend that.

In 2011, I burned the boats. Retiring from my previous career, I ensured the company was in capable hands when I left; I rented out my home, sold our furniture, and committed to a new career path. Quitting my job wasn’t the boat – putting new people in my house was. I made the retreat back to my old life difficult, not impossible, but definitely difficult. My path was blocked; there was no return to my old lifestyle.

The purpose was to give the new path the best chance of existing. It would take hard work and commitment to forge a living the way we planned.

If there is something you want, something that is close to your heart – retirement, a change of scenery, a lifestyle change – you’ve got to commit. If you want it bad enough, you have to burn the boats. Step into the new role with everything you have, no tip-toeing. Go all in and burn the boats behind you. That’s the only way you will truly know if it can be done.

We watch people online doing what we want to do, and we wonder how they did that; maybe they seem new on the scene; maybe we’ve known about them for years; they seem to be making it, and we wonder, why can’t we? I can bet the difference is the level of commitment. It’s not that it’s easier for them; it’s that they burned the boats behind them. When there are no other options, you will make it work.

You have enough money, ideas, determination, and talent to get what you want. Stop hesitating; make your plan now and go after it. Life is a one-time offer; use it well!