Burning bridges

If you're in a competition to get a dollar coin from the bottom of a cold swimming pool, you may prefer to wade into the shallow end rather than step off the diving board into the deep end.  You may desire success, but be reluctant to take big risks required to expedite it.  Wishing or hoping alone will not enable you to win this race.  Don't recognize any prospect of failure.  Instead, institute plans with determination and persistence.  If at first, you jump in and come up empty-handed, take another breath and submerge again.  Definite steps will help get that coin.

Consider a man who's business wasn't growing at the pace he had hoped.  He took the risk of telling his children he would take them to Disneyworld at the end of that same year, knowing full well that in order to afford it, he would have to pull up his socks.  As a reminder of his dream, he wore a Minnie Mouse watch all year.  Each time he looked at it, he was reminded of not only the promise he made to himself, but also the promise he made to his children.  He didn't wish to lose face.  He specifically said he would take his children on that trip to force himself to stay on track.  This motivated him to increase sales and earn what he needed to to go.  He barely pulled it off, but that was years ago, and his kids still talk about how he kept that promise.  Rather than burn bridges, he chose to reinforce the human connections they symbolized in clients and family.

Consider the student who was determined to work for a particular employer.  He wanted this job more than anything else.  He created a plan which he felt would attain that purpose.  He burned bridges when he turned down some unexpected offers in sectors of lesser interest.  He stood loyal to his desire until it became his focus and finally, reality.  He approached his prospective employer, not thinking what he'd do if he didn't succeed, but by explaining why he was going to work for them and how they would benefit.  He didn't reflect on other opportunities.  Instead, he reminded himself that this was what he truly sought above all else.  He didn't give himself alternative recourse.  Rather, he moved forward with confidence and convinced the employer. 

When you're willing to burn all sources of retreat, you will be building the mindset known as the desire to win, and you will be less likely to falter from your plan.  You will be building bridges rather than burning them out from under you.