Sometimes, the only way a person truly accomplishes what he deep down wants to achieve is when he feels that there is no other option. As the saying goes, “There is no motivation like having no alternative.”
HKB"H aleihem es ha'har k'gigis, Hashem covered them with a mountain...2 On a deeper level, perhaps this teaches that true commitment requires more than inspiration; it requires a binding sense of obligation.3
As long as a person feels that something is optional, he leaves room for hesitation, excuses and retreat. But when one places himself in a situation where he must follow through, where turning back is no longer an option, hidden strengths emerge. People often discover that they are capable of far more when they are fully committed. When there is no "Plan B," dedication becomes far more powerful.
For example if a person wants to quit smoking, he may do this by fining himself $100 for each cigarette he smokes. Another example is someone who wants to learn Torah consistently. Giving a shiur can give him the dedication necessary.
