Burn Your Boats!!! Its the Key to Success!

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There’s a story that I recently heard.  It talks of those amazing Spartan warriors, you know the ones, immortalized in the movie “300”.

 

Apparently, when ever they went to war, they would land on the beach of their enemies and then burn their boats behind them, thus cutting off any plan of escape.  This created the ultimate challenge, either succeed, OR DIE.  A bit drastic I know but hey it seemed to work.

Whenever we place ourselves in any situation with a “Get Out Of Jail” free card up our sleeve, we never seem to reach those dizzy heights of success than if we had no option but to succeed.

I see this every day in my life as a fitness professional.  New trainers start their PT business with grand plans of success, but they remain with one foot firmly trenched in their “back up job”.  I understand that they still have to pay the bills while they build up a client list and earn some $$$, I get that.  I too was in exactly the same position when I started out as a PT.

The problem is, when you are never fully committed to something, you are never fully committed.  Does that make sense?


And the same applies to when ever you’ve set yourself a weight loss goal.  You never fully commit because “you don’t have to”.  What are the consequences if you fail?  Nothing I’d hazard a guess.

I heard this last one just recently which has prompted this post.  “I can’t afford to commit because I need to check with my husband”.  It’s like trying to run with a harness on tied to the fence.  You aren’t going to get very far towards your goals, while tethered to an immovable object like a fence.

So, what’s the answer?  Its quite simple, but its also quite scary for some.  In the famous words of my mentor Paul Blackburn get uncomfortable, set the goal in your mind first and take massive action, but only on what works.

For those starting out in the PT world, burn your boat. (Get uncomfortable) Get enough money saved to pay the bills for a period of time (say 3 months) (set the goal) and then fully commit to building a client base.  Get rid of that back stop job and jump in the deep end. (take massive action)

If achieving a health goal is your your aim.  Again, burn your boat.  Fully commit to a finite plan (say 3 months) and go for it.  Committment means financial, emotional, physical & spiritual.  Do everything you are told by your coach (get all 3 aspects sorted, eating, exercise & re-energise) and see the results.