Burning the Bridges: Embracing Bold, Terrifying Steps on Your Journey to Achievement.🌉🔥

Published: Tue, 01/23/24

May the Bridges I Burn, Light the Way.

Anonymous

There must be an easier way to make a mark in the world than this? I’ve asked myself that question many times and come to the same conclusion. I didn’t choose writing; writing chose me. There is no path of return for me because I burned that bridge many moons ago. I tell myself that the choice to be a writer was made for me, but what about you? Are you looking at a decision that requires you to burn a bridge to get to the next phase of your life, and are you terrified? Just thinking about it gives me butterflies in my stomach because I wasn’t sure I could pull it off myself, but I still had to cross the Rubicon…Burn the Bridges, or I’d never progress.

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Tables turn, bridges burn.

I had a choice to make.
I could grovel at the feet of the gatekeepers who constantly rejected my work. I could live my life working to meet up to their standards. Or I could forge ahead into a new realm with no promises of success but being free.
I chose freedom.

Looking back on it, I made the right decision, but at the time, I was terrified.

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Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning.

I can tell you’re a dreamer – you’re a human. We hope, we imagine, and believe daydreams will be realized. Then lives take shape, ambitions are shelved. What does it mean to be realistic?

Leslie Odom, Jr., became a household name when he originated the role of Aaron Burr in the Broadway sensation Hamilton, a performance that won him the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

I’ve come to the conclusion that there are pivotal moments in all of our lives that we must experience before we can take control of our destiny.
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 woman…and from amateur to a professional.

Alien Warrior Concept Image.

There is something powerfully symbolic about that picture, and it never gets old. In moments of significant transition, my crazy imagination has conjured up a motion graphic of me walking across a splintering bridge with a raging fire at my back and glowing embers dancing up into the night sky.
Cheesy, I know, but it works for me.

So, what did I do to get to that stage where I could look over my shoulder and see the burning remnants of my personal bridges?

The first step is acknowledging the fear. Fear is a natural response to the unknown, a survival mechanism. But when chasing our dreams, this fear can become a paralysing force. In my journey to becoming a self-published author, fear presented itself in many forms - fear of rejection, fear of failure, and even fear of success. Recognising their existence is essential in developing strategies to overcome them.

One practical method for handling fear is to reframe it. Instead of viewing fear as a barrier, see it as a signpost, indicating that your actions are significant, worthwhile, and potentially life-changing. The fear of not being good enough always lurked in my mind, but I didn’t let it overwhelm me. By reframing this fear as a marker of the importance of my work, it became a driving force rather than a deterrent.

Another critical strategy is to break down your goal into smaller, more manageable tasks. There have been times when I looked at a story idea and could not see how I could bring that to the page. Taking my time and breaking down my plot one beat at a time made the process less overwhelming and daunting. This approach can apply to any goal. Focusing on one step at a time makes the journey more manageable and the fear less overwhelming.

Building a support system is also crucial. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and your goal. I leaned on fellow authors, friends, and family for support during the creation of my books. They provided encouragement, advice, and a listening ear when doubts and fears arose. Having people who understand and support your journey can make a significant difference in overcoming fear.

Throughout the creative process, I’m visualising a positive outcome. I imagine the finished book in my hands, seeing it on bookshelves, reading positive reviews and reaching bestseller status. This technique helps create a mental image of success, which can be incredibly motivating and help diminish the power of fear.

Remember, fear often lies in anticipation. Many people fear taking the first step because they overestimate the challenges and underestimate their ability to cope. In reality, once you burn your bridges, you’ll find that working towards your goal, with all its ups and downs, is often less frightening than the idea of starting in the first place.

Let’s not downplay the courage required to cross your Rubicon. The journey will be challenging, but your transformation will be worth every trembling step. The feeling of levelling up is like no other. The boldest moves often lead to the most significant rewards. So, take that step, Gentle Reader, cross your Rubicon, burn your bridges, embrace the terror and level up.

Be Your Own Hero.