Burning bridges (Part two)

When people "burn all bridges", that is remove alternatives, commit completely to a project or a task in which retreat is impossible, several mechanisms can indeed improve performance and make for a positive outcome: 

Attention narrows. With no backup plan, the brain devotes more cognitive resources to the task at hand rather than contemplating escape routes. 

Motivation increases. We tend to work harder when the stakes are high. Psychologists sometimes call this a commitment effect. 

Persistence grows. People often tolerate more discomfort, setbacks, and uncertainty when they perceive quitting as impossible. 

Creativity may increase. Constraints can force people to invent solutions they would never have explored otherwise. 

Of course, history offers many examples where extraordinary commitment produced extraordinary achievements: entrepreneurs who invested everything in a company, explorers surviving against all odds, or athletes performing beyond expectations in championship moments.

However, the second part of my statement as I opened up the debate, namely that "our brain will make sure that we come through it with flying colors" could be seen as a bit of banter or exaggeration, and be far less than accurate. In fact, our brain guarantees no such thing. 

Several factors limit this idea as the relationship between stress and performance is often described by the Yerkes–Dodson law: Moderate pressure improves performance, but excessive pressure impairs memory, judgment, creativity, and fine motor skills. This means that biology has limits and no amount of commitment can compensate for insufficient skills, physical limitations, lack of time, impossible odds or total disgust. 

At the same time, fear can become paralyzing. When they have no escape route, some people panic and that erodes their determination. The same "burn the boats" strategy can inspire one person and overwhelm another. Sure, we hear so many stories of people who succeeded because they committed completely. 

We hear far fewer accounts of equally committed people who failed, lost their savings, or suffered severe consequences. Their stories are not sexy and far less visible. 

Next time, we’ll see where the truth about my theory really lies, so don’t go away!