Y'all, I just finished reading "Burn the Boats" by Matt Higgins, and I'm not gonna lie - this book absolutely destroyed me in the best way possible. Like, I'm sitting here questioning every backup plan I've ever made and wondering why I've been playing it so safe my whole life.
Matt Higgins (yes, the Shark Tank guy) basically spent 300 pages telling us that our safety nets are actually the thing keeping us from flying. And honestly? He's not wrong.
The Core Idea That Broke My Brain
The whole concept is based on this historical moment when Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés literally burned his ships after landing in Mexico. His message to his troops was simple: we're not going back, so we better make this work.
That's some next-level commitment, and it's exactly the opposite of how most of us approach our goals. We create backup plans for our backup plans, then wonder why we never fully commit to anything.
"You don't win when you give yourself the option to lose."
This line hit me like a truck. How many times have I started something with one foot already out the door? How many dreams have I half-pursued because I knew I had a "safe" option waiting?
The Brutal Truth About Backup Plans
Here's where Matt gets spicy with it - backup plans aren't just useless, they're actively sabotaging your success. There's actual research showing that people who think about Plan B are less likely to achieve Plan A.
When you know you have an escape route, your brain literally doesn't push as hard. It's like your subconscious is already planning your retreat before you've even given your best shot.
Personal confession time: I've been guilty of this for years. Starting projects while keeping my "stable job," pursuing creative goals while maintaining my "practical career path." I thought I was being smart, but really I was just giving myself permission to quit when things got hard.
The Fear Factor (And Why It's Actually Good)
One thing that surprised me about this book is that Matt doesn't say eliminate fear - he says use it. Fear can be rocket fuel if you channel it right.
"You need a healthy dose of fear—but not an excessive amount—to perform at your best."
This reminds me of when I was learning to skateboard (bear with me, this metaphor works). The fear of falling made me more focused, more careful, more present. But when the fear became overwhelming, I'd freeze up completely.
Matt talks about how fear can drive you to that "sixth gear" - that level of performance you didn't even know you had. But only if you're in a situation where failure actually has consequences.
The "Good, Bad, Who's to Say?" Philosophy
There's this Taoist parable in the book about a farmer whose horse runs away, and no matter what happens - good or bad - he just says "Good, bad, who's to say?"
This absolutely shifted my perspective on setbacks. Maybe that job rejection wasn't a failure - maybe it was redirecting me toward something better. Maybe that business idea that flopped taught me exactly what I needed to know for the next one.
I've started asking myself: what if the worst thing that happened to me this year was actually setting me up for the best thing that's about to happen?
The Real Tea on Success
Matt drops some uncomfortable truths about what it actually takes to succeed:
1. Comfort is the enemy of growth If your daily routine consists of tasks you've already mastered, you're too comfortable. Growth literally requires discomfort.
2. Most people will try to tear you down Not because they're evil, but because your success reminds them of their own inaction. Your wins make their comfort zone feel less safe.
3. The "perfect moment" is a lie We tell ourselves we'll take bigger risks when we're more prepared, more financially secure, more experienced. But our risk tolerance actually decreases as we get older and accumulate responsibilities.
The Gut Sandwich Method
This might be my favorite concept from the book. Matt talks about making "gut sandwich" decisions - data sandwiched between insights and intuition that you can't justify with numbers alone.
Sometimes you just know something is right, even when the spreadsheet says otherwise. The best leaders learn to trust that instinct while still being informed by data.
Real talk: This is scary as hell to implement. Society trains us to have logical explanations for everything. But some of the best decisions I've made were when I ignored the "safe" choice and followed my gut.
Why Your Shame Can Become Your Strength
Matt gets vulnerable about his childhood struggles and how they became his competitive advantage. This part honestly made me emotional.
"Your shame can become your strength, too. Whatever you worry is holding you back is just a part of your story."
I used to think my messy background, my unconventional path, my failures were things I needed to hide or overcome. But what if they're actually my secret weapons? What if the very things I'm embarrassed about are what make me uniquely qualified for what I'm meant to do?
People don't connect with perfection - they connect with authenticity. And authenticity comes from owning your whole story, messy parts included.
The Sunk Cost Trap
Here's a mind-bender: every time you continue something just because you've already invested time/money/energy, you're falling into the sunk cost trap.
That money you spent on the concert ticket? Already gone whether you go or not. That degree you're halfway through but hate? The past two years are gone regardless.
The question isn't "How do I not waste what I've already invested?" It's "What's the best use of my time/energy/resources moving forward?"
This applies to relationships, careers, business ideas, even living situations. Sometimes the "waste" of changing course is actually the smartest investment you can make.
What "Burning the Boats" Actually Looks Like
Okay, but let's get practical. Matt isn't saying be reckless or put yourself in financial danger. He's saying eliminate the psychological escape routes that prevent you from fully committing.
Some examples:
- Delete the dating apps when you decide to seriously pursue someone
- Quit the side hustle that's stealing energy from your main goal
- Stop researching backup careers when you're trying to build your dream one
- Remove the "easy out" options that let you quit when things get hard
It's about making the cost of quitting higher than the cost of persisting.
The People Factor
One thing that really stood out is how much emphasis Matt puts on surrounding yourself with the right people. He talks about "pragmatic optimists" - people who can see your vision and want to support it rather than tear it down.
Your partner is either a force multiplier or an energy vampire. There's no in between.
The Time Delusion
"You still have time" is bullshit, according to Matt. And honestly, he's right.
We act like we have infinite opportunities, infinite time to "figure it out." But the universe gives us a finite number of chances, and most of them have expiration dates we can't see.
That business idea you've been "thinking about" for three years? Someone else is executing it right now. That creative project you'll "get to eventually"? Eventually might be too late.
This isn't meant to stress you out (okay, maybe a little) - it's meant to light a fire under you.
My Biggest Takeaway
Reading this book made me realize I've been living my entire life as if failure wasn't an option, which paradoxically made success less likely.
I've been so focused on not losing that I forgot about winning.
Matt talks about how the most successful people expand their definition of success to include their failures as stepping stones. They don't avoid risk - they get better at taking smart risks.
The Question That's Haunting Me
Matt asks: "What are you waiting for?"
Seriously, what are you waiting for? More money? More experience? More certainty? A sign from the universe?
Because here's the thing - the perfect moment doesn't exist. The only moment you have is right now, and right now will never be perfect.
How I'm Applying This
I'm not gonna lie and say I immediately quit my job and moved to Bali (though honestly, the thought crossed my mind). But I am making some changes:
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Eliminating backup plans that are actually escape hatches - I had three different "career paths" I was keeping warm just in case. Time to pick one and go all in.
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Embracing discomfort - If I'm comfortable with my daily routine, I'm not growing. I'm actively seeking out things that scare me a little.
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Trusting my gut more - Instead of over-researching every decision to death, I'm giving myself permission to act on instinct sometimes.
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Owning my story - All of it, including the parts I used to be embarrassed about.
The Bottom Line
"Burn the Boats" isn't just about entrepreneurship or business - it's about approaching life with intention and commitment. It's about deciding what you actually want and then removing the obstacles that prevent you from pursuing it fully.
Yeah, it's scary. Yeah, you might fail. But you know what's scarier? Looking back in 10 years and realizing you never really tried.
Matt ends the book with this: "Hesitation kills far more dreams than speed ever will."
So maybe it's time to stop hesitating. Maybe it's time to burn some boats.
Rating: 5/5 stars - This book genuinely changed how I think about risk, commitment, and success. If you're tired of playing it safe and ready to actually go after what you want, read this.
Who should read this: Anyone who has big dreams but keeps creating backup plans. Anyone who feels stuck in "analysis paralysis." Anyone ready to stop making excuses and start making moves.
Fair warning: This book will make you question your entire approach to goal-setting and might inspire you to make some major life changes. Don't say I didn't warn you.
What's your biggest takeaway from this? Are you ready to burn some boats, or does the idea terrify you? Let me know - I love hearing how books hit different people.