Burn Your Ships - A Story For Productivity

In the fast-paced world we live in, maximizing productivity has become a goal many of us strive for. We seek to achieve more in less time and make significant progress in our personal and professional lives. But what does it truly mean to be productive? Is it simply about generating the most output relative to time? Or is there more to it?

Recently, I had a profound experience that shed light on the concept of productivity and the power of commitment. It all started when my coworker, someone I had known for years, announced his decision to leave his permanent full-time position at our workplace. The way he approached this decision and the reasoning behind it were both unexpected and thought-provoking.

During our lunch break, just before we resumed work for the afternoon, my coworker gathered us together for an announcement. He revealed that he had decided to leave his current, permanent position, embracing a new path of entrepreneurship and self-employment.

His reasoning was refreshingly simple and yet profound. He acknowledged his tendency to be indecisive and realized that without committing fully, his ideas and aspirations would remain mere possibilities. He had made half-way attempts to start his own business but never truly moved forward with them and the realization that this pattern may persist indefinitely had forced his hand. It was as if he was having a "Burning Your Ships" moment, cutting ties with his old ways of doing things and forcing himself to move forward, to carve out his own path.

Now, the “Burning your ships” moment is based on the story of Hernán Cortés in the year 1519. Arriving in the New World with six hundred men and a need to travel inland, he burned the ships, destroying the only other means of leaving. This sent a clear message to his men: There is no turning back.

Now, obviously my coworker’s decision was much less life and death, but it speaks to the need and importance, sometimes, to change one's environment to foster accountability. By removing himself from the familiar and venturing into uncharted territory, he created a sense of urgency and responsibility towards his goals. He knew that by immersing himself in a new environment, he would be more likely to embrace change, take decisive action, and push the boundaries of his comfort zone.

This transformative experience made me reflect on the nature of productivity itself. I realized that to become more productive in certain areas, we often need to let go of productivity in others. Our time is finite, and certain decisions must be made.

Even the lack of action or decisiveness is a decision in itself, and time moves on regardless.

Productivity is not a linear, upward trajectory. It is a shifting spotlight of priorities. When we commit fully to a particular endeavor, other aspects of our lives may wither and fade away. This acknowledgment is neither positive nor negative, but rather a realistic reflection of the ever-changing priorities we face. He gave up productivity in his permanent position to boost productivity in his independent professional growth.

Autonomy of Productivity.

Witnessing my coworker's courageous decision reminded me of the autonomy we possess in shaping our lives. Each of us has the power to design our own path, to resist complacency, and to pursue growth. It served as a bittersweet reminder that change comes at a cost, and we must be willing to let go of certain things and embrace the unknown.

Productivity as Contentment.

And again, the motif realized is that productivity is not just about generating output. It is about finding contentment in the time we spend doing things. It requires an authentic dialogue with ourselves, where we prioritize and align our actions with our goals and aspirations. And regardless of whether one becomes a millionaire in the process, it is that personal contentment, autonomy in pursuit, and personalized productivity that provides fulfillment.

Productivity is not a one-size-fits-all concept but rather a personalized journey that requires continuous self-reflection, prioritization, and contentment with the choices we make.