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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Burn the Boats summary
Matt Higgins
Toss Plan B Overboard and Unleash Your Full Potential
13 mins
Brief summary
'Burn the Boats' by Matt Higgins is a memoir that recounts the author's journey from a difficult childhood to becoming a successful entrepreneur and investor. It offers insights into the importance of taking calculated risks and persevering through adversity.
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Burn the Boats
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Key idea 1 of 3
Trust yourself to take the leap.
Matt immediately recognized the genius in 26-year-old Jesse Derris. Already making partner at the publicity firm where he worked, Jesse had no trouble offering unapologetic truths to CEOs twice his age. His ability to see patterns and predict trends was practically a sixth sense.
But Matt could also see that Jesse’s talents were being squandered. So the two went for a walk one day, and as they looped around Manhattan’s Madison Square Park, Matt offered to invest $2 million in Jesse to start his own PR company.
Despite Matt’s confidence in him, Jesse was petrified to strike out on his own. Was this a good time? Was he capable? Still, his gut was telling him this was the right move, and after an encouraging conversation with his girlfriend, he took Matt’s offer.
Jesse’s story demonstrates the first key to burning your boats: Taking the leap requires trusting your instincts, even when it goes against convention.
That doesn’t mean it’s easy. When you’re about to jump into the unknown, your mind will pull out all the stops. The signs will suddenly try to point you to safer ground. Here are just a few things to remember if conventional ideas are keeping you from taking the leap.
The first is that there will never be a perfect time to act, and, in fact, it will probably only get harder later. If something is calling to you, do it now.
Second, don’t wait for validation or buy-in from others. Taking calculated risks is all about seeing opportunities where others don’t.
Third, don’t think that you have to stay in your lane. Society will tell you to stick with what you know. But consider Sarah Cooper, who had a 15-year career in tech. When her satirical blog about Silicon Valley blew up, she took the leap into comedy, leaving her cushy Google job behind. And in 2020, she landed her very own Netflix show.
Last, don’t buy into the convention of incrementalism. People will convince you to put in your time on each rung of the ladder. But some goals require a leap – or a whole different ladder. Incremental growth is just a Plan B in disguise, so don’t let it hold you back.
In short, when your instincts conflict with what the world is telling you, do not hesitate or doubt yourself. What is your vision for your life? Do you really want to miss the chance to be the most extraordinary version of yourself?
Just ask Jesse Derris. In 2022, a few short years after starting his own firm, he sold it to PR giant BerlinRosen, and is now a self-made millionaire.
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What is Burn the Boats about?
Burn the Boats (2023) tells the story of how Matt Higgins went from abject poverty to wealth and success using one simple approach: tossing Plan B and going all-in. Through both guidance and inspiration, it will help you apply this strategy to achieving your own goals and dreams.
Burn the Boats Review
Burn the Boats (2022) is a captivating memoir by Matt Higgins that chronicles his journey of overcoming fears and taking risks. Here are three reasons why this book is worth your time:
- The book offers inspiring stories of resilience and determination, motivating readers to step out of their comfort zones and pursue their dreams.
- With its honest and relatable storytelling, it provides valuable insights into the process of embracing uncertainty and thriving in the face of adversity.
- The book's exploration of entrepreneurship and innovation adds depth to the narrative, showing how calculated risks can lead to extraordinary rewards.
Who should read Burn the Boats?
- Visionaries with big ambitions
- Self-doubting entrepreneurs
- Anyone holding back on their dreams
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Burn the Boats FAQs
What is the main message of Burn the Boats?
The main message of Burn the Boats is to embrace discomfort and take calculated risks to achieve success.
How long does it take to read Burn the Boats?
The reading time for Burn the Boats varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Burn the Boats a good book? Is it worth reading?
Burn the Boats is worth reading for its inspiring stories, practical insights, and motivational advice.
Who is the author of Burn the Boats?
Matt Higgins is the author of Burn the Boats.
What to read after Burn the Boats?
If you're wondering what to read next after Burn the Boats, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz
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- The First Minute by Chris Fenning
- The Power of Discipline by Daniel Walter
- Life in Three Dimensions by Shigehiro Oishi
- Influence by Robert B. Cialdini
- Zero to One by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters
- Everyone Communicates, Few Connect by John C. Maxwell
- Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin