What “Burning the Boats” Feels Like
As I progressed in my adventure to live my dream life and discover my purpose, I became increasingly committed to my personal projects. I’ve now come as close to “burning the boats” as someone with work experience they can fall back on can. I let my consulting projects - my livelihood - lapse, and spend all my time writing, painting, and creating my future.
You absolutely don’t have to burn any boats, and probably shouldn’t. I share my learnings so that others - you - can take an easier and smarter path. But if you wonder what it might be like, I’m happy to tell you.
Many days you’ll ask yourself what the hell you’re doing - it would have been so much easier to not rock the boat, much less burn it.
Most people won’t get what you’re doing at all and think you’re nuts.
Some people you love dearly will ignore what you’re doing because they don’t know how to ask or talk about it.
Most people will say “that’s nice” because they don’t understand (see “think you’re nuts”). Some might try to get away from you as quickly as possible if social circumstances allow.
Some days will be blissful because you get to do the thing you love most; so blissful you’ll forget to sleep (I never forget to eat but you might).
Many days will be excruciating because you took two steps forward and now it feels like three steps back.
You won’t be as financially comfortable and secure as you were before.
You won’t be free to spend as much money as your friends (who make all that money you no longer make). Sometimes you’ll have to tell them that.
You’ll fail multiple times and feel heartache all those times.
The smallest setback, even an unsubscribe from your mailing list, will make you feel like you may never be successful doing what you love. Until you realize an unsubscribe is a good thing, since it gets you one step closer to finding your people and your path.
You’ll constantly have to remind yourself why you’re doing this.
At the end of the day, you won’t have it any other way. There’s no going back, the only way is through.
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