To use the parlance of our times, one might go “all in” when speaking metaphorically about full investment in achieving a particular professional outcome. With a hybrid WSOP meets YOLO mentality, we may begin to navigate a trail through the woods of distraction that lately, many have become lost inside. The simple act of wagering on oneself sharpens our focus on attaining a reward (profit) due to an increased exposure to risk (loss).
In Spring 1519, Hernán Cortés sought to make landfall in Veracruz Mexico and conquer the impenetrable Yucatan fortress that protected a substantial treasure. Remarkably, for nearly half a millennium, no attack had been successful in toppling the defending forces. Cortés rallied his 500+ soldiers and sailors to embark on a journey from Spain aboard 11 ships, with the promise of an historical triumph and riches beyond comprehension for those who made the commitment. Unsurprisingly, by the time his fleet crossed the Atlantic, Cortés found himself with a much less enthusiastic and committed contingency. In addition to seizing all smartphones and tablets while disabling the ship’s wifi, Cortés huddled his lieutenants and directed them to “burn the ships” upon arrival. In this one, momentous act, he catapulted the level of commitment to victory for every single soldier. Do or die.
Similarly, Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great historically eliminated all options beside pressing onward with their respective campaigns in Northern Italy (see also: Crossing the Rubicon) and Persia (another instance of binary motivation).
These iconic Emperors stared down potentially fatal dispersion of interest among their ranks, no different than corporate leaders today battling the distractions and diversions of their workforce.
Especially as we transition back to IRL from WFH, the unique individual continues to exhibit increased apathy toward participating in the mission of the greater organization. That is, until properly incentivized, or, presented with a fatal alternative.
On a more positive note, during a recent collaboration with Tommy Short, I was reminded how “every struggle is an opportunity in disguise.” Struggle being interchangeable with: challenge, problem, failure, detractor, etc. What we are talking about is mindset.
Victory and prosperity are functions of perception.
Scrooge McDuck, for example, typified an insatiable and miserly character while his nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie were content with their wealth of fun adventures. Identifying your own base motivation – and with the support of those you know and trust – emboldens you to bear down during periods of adversity and ultimately persevere onto victory.
Modernizing and bite-sizing Cortés’s directive, we arrive at what I call micro-burning the ships. Now, don’t go getting all excited. This has more to do with mindfulness and intensified presence versus augmenting reality by way of psilocybins. On a granular level, procrastination, indecisiveness, and second-guessing are all predicated upon having an excuse, or, an “out.” Subconsciously we eliminate the need to commit confidently. As Cortés might have said, “no bueno.”
Toning our mental muscles on a smaller scale, in rapid daily succession – and never looking back – trains the brain to think forward, not reverse. Over time, habitually micro-burning the metaphorical ships taken to challenge island daily has proven to boost confidence, sharpen acumen, diminish stress and sweeten the taste of success by way of incremental triumphs. The repetition of making smaller commitments and seeing them thru to completion prepares us for more daunting undertakings. Ultimately, even with teams of dissimilar people under a common brand, commitment to the larger mission solidifies as retreating is no longer an option.
Il Punto: Elevate the level of commitment across an organization by ensuring everyone on the team has as large a stake in the common mission as they have in their own advancement, or, survival.
For further contemplation:
How have you benefitted from burning the ships along your journey?
In what ways do you inspire your team to commit fully?
What risks do you encounter when commitment wanes?
Which daily habits help your team stay the course and avoid retreating?
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