I feel like giving up. Almost every day, in fact. Not all day, of course, but there are moments. My bet is that you have those moments, too. If you are the kind of high-achieving, purpose-driven dreamer who finds herself reading a blog like this, you are probably used to running into obstacles. Professional obstacles, personal obstacles, even obstacles related to personal fitness or socializing.
Most of the time, we deal with the obstacles by persevering. Sometimes we get discouraged and turn to inspirational writing, like stuff from Vince Lombardi: “Quitters never win and winners never quit.” Bad advice. Winners quit all the time. They just quit the right stuff at the right time; they quit the wrong stuff and stick with the right stuff.
Successful quitting involves being able to identify when to let go of unproductive pursuits and relationships, to refocus energy on more promising endeavors. By pushing ourselves a little further than most or having the courage to quit early and redirect our efforts, we can position ourselves for extraordinary benefits and success. It's about making strategic decisions to quit the wrong things and persevere with the right ones, ultimately aiming to emerge stronger and more resilient on the other side.
What have you quit? And what would you never quit? Let' talk about it over a cup of tea.
Most people quit. Feeling like giving up is a common sentiment that many of us experience at various points in our lives. It's natural to encounter moments of doubt and frustration, especially when faced with obstacles and challenges.
As dreamers and visionaries, we are no strangers to setbacks in our professional and personal pursuits. While perseverance is often touted as the key to success, it's important to recognize that quitting can also be a strategic and necessary decision.
Here are a few things I have quit that I believe have positioned me to be happy and successful;
Unhealthy habits like overthinking and drinking alcohol to sooth my anxiety.
Working without a break.
Pinching company pennies.
Waiting to be given what I want.
Being loyal blindly.
Polling before making a decision.
Needing to be liked.
Acting like a man.
Sharing too much personal information.
Being overly concerned with offending others.
Denying the importance of money.
Offering a limp handshake.
Viewing men in authority as father figures.
Putting work ahead of my personal life.
Making up negative stories about myself to console others or seem non-threatening.
Striving for perfection.
Waiting to be noticed.
Procrastination.
Dismissing my discomfort in fear of disrupting.
Failing to pause or reflect before responding.
Smiling inappropriately.
Taking up too little space.
Failing to maintain eye contact.
Believing others know more than me.
Tolerating inappropriate behavior.
Exhibiting too much patience.
Accepting dead-end assignments.
Forgiving and forgetting.
Being overly critical of myself.
Allowing myself to be the scapegoat.
Quitting is liberating but here are a few things I would NEVER quit because I want to be happy and successful;
I will never quit fighting for freedom, against corruption and participating in choosing my country's leadership.
I will never quit being kind.
I will never quit finding my voice, speaking up for myself and others.
I will never quit working hard.
I will never quit asking for help.
I will never quit hoping.
I will never quit trying to get to shape.
I will never quit dancing.
I will never quit arts and crafts.
I will never quit napping.
I will never quit having something to look forward to.
I will never quit looking foolish.The fear of looking foolish is probably the greatest cause of unhappiness.
I will never quit trying new things.
I will never quit making new meaningful connections.
I will never quit pursuing healing and recovery.
I will never quit making 'Me Time'.
I will never quit learning and growing.
I will never quit feeling excited by your passions.
I will never quit on myself. Or my dreams.
I will never quit journaling.
I will never quit on God.
I will never quit pursing joy.
I will never quit finding myself.
I will never quit doing things that challenge me.
I will never quit lip syncing to my favorite songs.
I will never quit investing in myself.
I will never quit trying to connect with the people I care about.
I will never quit visualizing my future.
I will never quit loving myself.
I will never quit expressing gratitude.
In the pursuit of excellence and becoming the best in our respective fields, knowing when to quit and when to persist is a crucial skill. By embracing the idea that quitting can be a strategic move towards achieving our goals, we can harness the power of resilience and determination to overcome obstacles and emerge victorious. So, whether it's about pushing through the hard times or having the courage to make a strategic exit, remember that success often lies in knowing when to quit and when to stay the course.