Crossing the Rubicon. Burning Bridges. Point of No Return. These are all metaphors which share a similar meaning…a transformative event occurred which in turn triggered a life-changing decision to abandon the life we once knew, and move ahead into an unknown and unfamiliar realm of experience.
For most of my adult life I’ve pursued what I consider to be the organizing principles of lasting change…and have come to the understanding that there is a pivotal moment in all of our lives (actually a series of moments) that we must experience before we wake up, take control, turn pro and achieve our goals.
These pivotal moments transform the feeling of what it means to be fully alive.
In the song “The Point of No Return” from The Phantom of the Opera, the metaphor of a burning bridge is used to describe the completion of a transition between two different phases of life such as transitioning from being a boy to a man…from a girl to a women…and from amateur to professional.
Fire symbolizes an irrevocable change in our course of life. And as we turn back, we see a familiar way of life that is no longer possible or desirable.
Have you burned any bridges lately…have you drawn a psychological line in the sand and passed the point of no return?
Have you grown up and made the decision to turn pro, or are you hiding, pretending and living life as a child…like Michael Jackson with a Peter Pan complex?
Here’s the truth…we’re amateurs or professionals in every role we play…
Parent
Spouse
Friend
Entrepreneur
Manager
Teacher
Student
Doctor
Writer
Speaker
Artist
Singer
Athlete
And, we will only turn pro in any of these roles by reaching the point of no return in our own behaviors and burning the necessary bridges.
For the remainder of this message, we’re going to focus our attention on the behavioral bridges which need to be burned…thus making it an impossibility of returning to the life and amateur ways we once knew.
What soundtrack inside your mind is keeping afloat the fear and doubt and frustration that hold you captive?
What are the behavioral bridges in your life that are keeping you from accomplishing what you really want?
Is it…
Self-Limiting Beliefs
Low Self-Esteem
Procrastination
Arrogance
Deceit
Laziness
Drinking
Smoking
Sugar
Over-spending
Lying
Gossip
Guilt
Regret
Sarcasm
Perfection
Poor Eating Habits
Negative Self-Talk
Holding on to Grudges
Dependence upon Others
Too Much Time on Social Media
High Maintenance Relationships
Quitting When Things Get Difficult
Concern of Other People’s Opinions
Dodging Responsibility and Making Excuses
Whatever prevents you from achieving your goals and dreams, from living joyfully and healthy in both body and mind is a bridge in need of burning…a place in the history of your life not worth revisiting.
Do not dignify nor empower weakness by giving time, attention, or repetition to anything that separates you from living a life of excellence and unleashing your greatness.
Unfortunately, when things get difficult, when the heat gets turned up and the “bullets start flying”, far too many people revert to conditioned behavior and make for the familiar bridge.
The good news…and it’s all good news is that the following awaits once you burn some bridges and get past the point of no return…
A sense of joy and fulfillment like you’ve never experienced before.
Ownership of your life and complete control of your destiny.
Increased self-confidence that makes you feel like the champion you are.
A powerful sense of focus and concentration that’s impossible not to notice.
A superior level of commitment that powers you through any obstacle or challenge.
Increased pride in the quality of your work and the art you produce.
Reputational capital that earns the respect and admiration of your peers.
and so much more…
If this is indeed the kind of life you want to experience…go right ahead and light a match…unleash your inner pyromaniac and let the bridges you burn light the way to a bigger, bolder, braver and far more beautiful life.
The 100 Day Challenge is a rapid execution system used by more than 675,000 high-achievers to achieve life-changing results in 100 days. Don’t do it unless you want spectacular results.
The strategies you’ll learn in the 100 Day Challenge have elected a president, grown non-profit causes, won gold medals and fueled movements. Now it’s your turn to win bigger faster!