It’s good to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong, right? That’s the collective wisdom most of us were taught to factor into our goal-setting. But what if that thinking actually sabotages our ability to achieve our desired goal? Plan B, it turns out, is just a distraction from fulfilling Plan A. To succeed, focus on what you want, not on what you’ll settle for.

In this podcast Gail talks with Matt Higgins, co-founder and CEO of RSE Ventures, an investment and innovation incubation firm. Among a number of other accomplishments and titles, Matt is the author of the recently published book, Burn the Boats: Toss Plan B Overboard and Unleash Your Full Potential.

Matt related the story of his difficult early life and the insights he gained that have propelled him to success in a number of areas. He wrote the book to share those insights with others in the hope of motivating readers to change their mindsets and fulfill their true potential.

He touched on a number of those insights in his conversation with Gail, such as:

• Focus on opportunity, not outcome or compensation. Use one opportunity to gain leverage to gain a better next opportunity by making yourself indispensable.
  
• Engage with problems to generate solutions. You will figure out what you need to do.
  
• Working for others is not more certain than working for yourself. If you’re concerned about security, you’re safer betting on yourself.
  
• If you change a behavior pattern that’s holding you back, you can change the entire trajectory of your business or career.
  
• Rather than plan to avoid risk, learn to process risk. That will free you to strive for bigger goals and fulfill your dreams.
  

Matt mentioned that he dedicated the book to his wife and that he has great admiration for women entrepreneurs and leaders. Gail asked if he had any advice for female entrepreneurs and business owners listening to the podcast. He said they should not feel guilty about pursuing their professional goals, even if that takes time away from their family. (For more on this topic, read our article about Mom Guilt in the interior design industry). “The gift of self-sufficiency that you are modeling for your child,” he suggested, “is more important than the time you don’t spend with them.”

Matt also stressed that any entrepreneur or freelance professional, but especially creatives, need to assert what they’re worth upfront. Don’t leave it up to the client to determine your worth. Establish the conditions for payment before you do any work.

Along the way Matt shared his three steps on the path to success and the four steps involved in processing risk. To learn more, listen to the entire podcast. And read the book!

If you’re listening on your favorite podcast platform, read the full shownotes here: https://thepearlcollective.com/s8e1-shownotes

For more information about Matt, his background and his RSE Ventures, visit the company website at rseventures.com and search under Team Members.

You can get more information about Burn the Boats and where to purchase a copy on the publisher’s website.