Confidence Classic: Why Plan B Is Holding You Back with Matt Higgins

Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan

What if I told you it wasn’t failure holding you back, but leaving yourself a way out? If you’ve been hesitating, overthinking, or keeping a “just in case” backup plan, this episode will challenge you to rethink risk, trust your insight, and commit fully to the future you want. I sit down with entrepreneur, investor, Harvard Business School executive fellow, and Shark Tank guest shark Matt Higgins to talk about the mindset behind the “Burn the Boats” philosophy, why seeking validation often signals fear rather than strategy, how processing worst-case scenarios eliminates hesitation, and why anxiety can actually become a performance advantage when used correctly. 


In This Episode You Will Learn

  • How seeking APPROVAL can delay the decisions that move your life forward.

  • Why processing the WORST-CASE SCENARIO reduces fear and increases action.

  • The “BURN THE BOATS” mindset that forces real commitment.

  • How OPTIMAL ANXIETY improves performance instead of limiting it.

  • Why speaking to yourself in THIRD PERSON strengthens confidence under pressure.

  • How shedding SHAME builds stronger leadership and connection.

  • The difference between acting on LIGHTNING vs. waiting for validation.

  • Why having a PLAN B can reduce motivation and follow-through.

  • How going ALL-IN attracts support, momentum, and opportunity.


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More description

What if I told you it wasn’t failure holding you back, but leaving yourself a way out? If you’ve been hesitating, overthinking, or keeping a “just in case” backup plan, this episode will challenge you to rethink risk, trust your insight, and commit fully to the future you want. I sit down with entrepreneur, investor, Harvard Business School executive fellow, and Shark Tank guest shark Matt Higgins to talk about the mindset behind the “Burn the Boats” philosophy, why seeking validation often signals fear rather than strategy, how processing worst-case scenarios eliminates hesitation, and why anxiety can actually become a performance advantage when used correctly. 


In This Episode You Will Learn

  • How seeking APPROVAL can delay the decisions that move your life forward.

  • Why processing the WORST-CASE SCENARIO reduces fear and increases action.

  • The “BURN THE BOATS” mindset that forces real commitment.

  • How OPTIMAL ANXIETY improves performance instead of limiting it.

  • Why speaking to yourself in THIRD PERSON strengthens confidence under pressure.

  • How shedding SHAME builds stronger leadership and connection.

  • The difference between acting on LIGHTNING vs. waiting for validation.

  • Why having a PLAN B can reduce motivation and follow-through.

  • How going ALL-IN attracts support, momentum, and opportunity.


Check Out Our Sponsors:


Resources + Links


Follow

2026-03-04 46 min
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