(ARTLICE) Why QUITTING Is Not Always Bad

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result."

- Einstein

Some people seem to believe quitting shows a lack of strength. And the willingness to suffer through anything in pursuit of a goal is a real badge of honour.

But the notion that you must succeed at all costs is quite harmful. Sometimes, it takes more courage to walk away from a goal than it does to power through no matter what. ESPECIALLY if things have not be working for quite a while.

A very popular statement within the hustle culture is that you should never "Quit" something.

However, i genuinely believe, this is actually not always a good strategy to follow. As a matter of fact, following the "Never Quit" rule may even hinder your success and lead you to hating your life.

Here's why...

Sometimes you're going to put a lot of work into something—a hobby, a career, a relationship, a business — only to realise it's not working. Knowing when to walk away when the strategy you have been using has not been working in your benefit is an essential life skill.

But “toughing out” situations that no longer serve you, or are harmful, makes very little sense. 

In fact, achievement for achievement’s sake can lead to unfulfilling and detrimental outcomes such as burnout, poor health, reduced sleep, high stress levels, feelings of hopelessness.

“Celebrate endings, for they precede new beginnings.” 

-Jonathan Lockwood Huie

What I am NOT saying is to immediately quit something because you faced an obstacle or you go through a mini life setback. This WILL happen no matter what you are pursuing in life.

The temptation to give up usually appears when there’s a bump in the road. 

Quitting when things get hard and things become overwhelming is normally an impulsive decision involving short-term issues where there’s been little attempt from you to resolve them.

It’s normal to want to give up when things get hard. That’s usually when most people quit. 

But just because something is hard, or you have a bad day, doesn’t mean you should quit. In fact, bad days can be a great motivator if used effectively,  they can remind you why the goal, situation, or relationship is worth the effort.

If you have a bad day, accept that those days WILL happen. If quitting truly is the best option for you, that will become clear even on the good days.

I’m here to tell you that quitting doesn’t make you a loser.

It doesn’t make you weak. 

It doesn’t make you look like someone who’s lost and confused in his or her life.

Quitting actually makes you a wiser person.

Sometimes, quitting is most definitely the right thing to do. A lot of people assume that it’s the easy thing to do and that only people with a defeatists mentality and good-for-nothing drop outs would even consider such an easy “cop-out.” 

This is not the case.

Sometimes you even feel in your gut that the path you thought you were meant to take is wrong for you.

“When one door closes another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”

- Alexander Graham

It takes a lot of courage to admit that, even to yourself, let alone to family and friends. 

Sometimes you have to leave that path and find a new one. Or, if there is no new path to be found, create a new one.

This can apply to so many aspects of life such as home life, work life, education, business, family, friends, relationships, and habits.

Again, I’m not saying that if something doesn’t feel right or does not instantly work out that you should give up on it straight away. Carrying on is also brave and can be the right decision. 

Above all, don’t be afraid to quit. Sometimes, the best decision will be to end a relationship, quit a job, break off a friendship, end a project, or let a commitment fall to the wayside. 

Quitting can be necessary to make room for positive changes, and can be an opportunity to develop and grow.

But if you know that quitting something is the right thing to do in order to pivot, then don’t be afraid to do so because of what others might think.

"Live the life you want to live, not the one you THINK you should"

- Chambers Jr

- Till next time.