| Andy Andrews, an author and motivational speaker, | | | | Finally, the troops were restless and were eager to |
| tells a story about Hernan Cortes,a Spanish | | | | find the gold. Cortes knewthey were ready. He |
| Conquistador who went in search of and captured a | | | | assembled the troops and gave them one last order |
| large Aztec treasure. | | | | - "Burn theboats." The men were perplexed, but did |
| Before he left for the New World, he gathered the | | | | as Cortes had said. Cortes explained tothem that |
| troops he would need and toldthem the story of | | | | by burning the boats they were eliminating any |
| how their life would change after they captured the | | | | reason they had to fallback to safety - it was either |
| treasure. | | | | capture the treasure or die. |
| The day finally came for Cortes and his troops to | | | | After the troops burnt the boats, they marched off |
| sail. Each day on the journeyhe told his troops the | | | | and captured the treasure. |
| same story about the gold and how it would change | | | | So, what are the boats in your life and your |
| theirlife. | | | | business? What are the things thatgive you |
| When they reached the New World, they camped | | | | perception that they are providing you safety, |
| along the shore for a few weeks andeach day | | | | security, and comfort? |
| Cortes told his troops the same story about the | | | | What reasons are you making for not burning these |
| treasure. | | | | boats? |