Don't Burn The Boats
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You hear this story told all the time about going ALL in with a crazy dream and walking out of your job one day in a Jerry Maguire-like performance…
In order to pursue this dream and fight for it with all you’ve got…
While there is something romantic and dramatic about this whole scenario. I believe whoever says this falls into a few categories, none of which really fits this dad over here.
If you fit into any or all of these categories, you might be okay with burning the boats. If not, keep them while you build another one on the side.
Category 1
- You don’t have any kids — When kids come into the picture, you can’t just drop your security like it’s hot.
Your outlook on life is different when you have kids. It’s not different good or different bad, it’s just DIFFERENT. What used to be a pursuit of glory and recognition becomes one of security and a “better life” for your family.
Oftentimes, creating that better life takes a risk. But it’s a calculated risk. It’s not blind, wild, early 20’s risk. No mas of that, senor.
Category 2
- You’re single or not married
If you are married, you’ll have a spouse that keeps you grounded. Someone who is your teammate on this wild adventure called life.
Ultimately though, you have a partner that needs to be involved in these decisions.
You can’t just get a bug up your butt one day and say screw it without any repercussions.
It’s not just your show anymore. Like any good partnership, you want to talk out this decision with your other half.
IF they are also down to burn those boats, by all means, have at it knowing it was a team decision.
Category 3
- You don’t actually have a great job/ career
You see “influencers” trying to sell you on their course and they talk about the “9–5 GRIND” that they “left behind” to make millions. And if you buy this course they can show you how.
They show pics of them bagging groceries at a supermarket or driving Uber and talk about how they “made the leap” and went all in on themselves to start the business.
I’m sorry, but those aren’t jobs that anyone really thinks about as permanent to begin with.
They’re jobs, yes. But not careers.
They typically aren’t meant to be a long-term thing.
Don’t fall for that trap and listen to those 20-somethings telling you to “burn the boats and go all in” when they have NO idea what going all in looks like with several mouths to feed at home.
My respect goes to someone who talks about making 6+ figures a year and wants more for their family. Someone who wants to change the trajectory of their family. Someone who wants to jump to an entirely different tax bracket WHILE still working that job… now that is the GRIND.
Category 4
- You LIKE risk.
Sure, the pursuit is fun and the journey is what it’s all about, but you can’t be chasing after risk for RISK's sake. It’s about mitigating risk and being willing to take CALCULATED risk after a full due diligence period.
Furthermore, it’s actually about not really taking risks at all in your mind. Because in your mind, you KNOW that what you’re doing will work.
To outsiders, it may appear to be risky. But you have done your homework.
If you are just being risky for the thrill of the adrenaline rush, you’re playing a young man's game. Be careful.
None of these categories sit well with me.
I’m a dad of two, married for almost 10 years now, a full-time police officer making over 6 figures, and a homeowner in one of the most expensive parts of the country.
But I’ve seen the end.
I’ve seen behind the curtain and the writing on the wall.
I see men and women from my profession die before they get a chance to see their kids walk.
I see them put 30+ years in, still having to ask permission to take days off, and THEN, within months after retirement and making it to the end, they die.
I’ve seen my coworkers go through multiple marriages and when they retire from one department, they lateral to another retirement system because they can’t afford not to.
And I wholeheartedly cannot allow that to be my story.
I’ve rubbed elbows with REAL businessmen. WEALTHY wealthy investors, entrepreneurs, business owners, men and women living a life that only few can dream of, and fewer actually attempt to make it a reality.
And the crazy thing; is they’re just normal people who relentlessly pursued that fire within them that told them they were meant for more.
Seeing all of that, I can’t sit here and take it. I cannot just roll over and settle for mediocrity. I cannot stop until I have truly changed our flight path as a family and built the empire.
But this is a process. And you’re out of your mind if you think that I’m going to burn the boats.
Going all in is a MINDSET. It’s the agreement that you make with yourself that you will STAY IN THE FIGHT and do whatever it takes to make the dream a reality.
Remember though, this fight is not just for you. It’s for all those who count on you and need you to provide.
Don’t be selfish.
Don’t be stupid.
Don’t burn the boats.
Build your empire up big enough that it is an EASY decision to transition full-time into that dream and sail away in your yacht.