Knowledge Marketplace
@zachpogrob

@zachpogrob

Obsession beats discipline - go all-in on your craft until you either die or get reborn.

Back to Mental Models

Burn It Down Reset

A radical intervention for stagnation where you deliberately destroy existing structures (relationships, living situation, career path) to create space for transformation. Humans only change when their life collapses.

Decision Rule

When stuck and incremental changes have failed, consider whether accumulated obligations, identities, and possessions are creating friction against new directions. If yes, destruction may be required to create space.

How It Works

Humans resist change when comfortable. Safety nets enable mediocrity. The speed and fire of burning it down reminds you that you are alive. Destruction removes the option of retreating to the familiar.

Failure Modes

Burning things repeatedly without building anything new

Destroying relationships to avoid difficult conversations

Romanticizing instability as progress

Running away rather than running toward

Example Decision

After years of unfulfilling work, person ends their lease, sells possessions to fit in an Uber, moves to a new city with only laptop and running shoes. The forced restart eliminates old patterns.