As I sit in a conference room in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, California, my thoughts linger on a conversation with my wife from the night before. I shared with her my decade-long journey as an entrepreneur and expressed an enduring excitement for the path ahead. The entrepreneurial road, with its twists and turns, occasionally tests my patience as I develop new skill sets only to pivot shortly after. Despite the challenges, the thrill of entrepreneurship never wanes.

It’s peculiar, I muse, to love a path with no so-called security. Yet, therein lies the paradox. Being an entrepreneur is not about adhering to a predetermined path; it’s about paving one’s own way, thinking outside the box, and belonging to a community of risk-takers, innovators, and go-getters. I once penned a statement defining an entrepreneur as a risk-taker, go-getter, and innovator—someone who propels the world forward. That declaration, crafted long ago, remains my guiding principle today.

I’ve chosen to entitle this journey “I am still burning the ships.” But what does that mean?

“Burning the ships” is more than a phrase; it’s a metaphor embodying a resolute commitment with no room for retreat. Its origins trace back to the 16th-century expedition led by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés. Upon reaching the New World in 1519, Cortés commanded his troops to burn their ships, sending an unequivocal message: there is no turning back. It was a stark choice between conquering new lands or perishing.

In the entrepreneurial realm, “burning the ships” takes on a parallel significance. It symbolizes a wholehearted commitment, a conscious decision to eliminate fallback options and safety nets. This unwavering determination becomes a catalyst, fostering heightened focus, creativity, and resilience in the face of challenges.

For an entrepreneur, burning the ships may involve investing personal savings, departing from a stable job, or fully committing resources to a business idea. This commitment instills a sense of urgency, propelling the entrepreneur to overcome obstacles and innovate in order to ensure the success of their venture.

While the phrase evokes a sense of risk, it aligns with the fundamental truth that genuine success often demands stepping out of one’s comfort zone and embracing the entrepreneurial journey wholeheartedly. It signifies a shift in mindset—from tentatively exploring a venture to being fully dedicated to its success, irrespective of the challenges that may arise.

So, as I reflect on the past decade and the ongoing journey ahead, I embrace the spirit of “burning the ships.” It encapsulates not just a commitment but a mindset that defines the essence of entrepreneurship—a journey filled with risks, innovation, and the unwavering determination to forge one’s own path.