Quitting

There's an interesting article over on Politics Daily by Donna Trussell. Although prompted by the Al/Tipper Gore separation, it discusses the notion of quitting, and perhaps why it should be looked at not with the traditional disdain with which we often regard it, but from a much more positive perspective. Is quitting for "quitters"? And are quitters "losers"?

The article quotes a section from The Lost Art of Quitting, suggesting that quitting can be far more virtuous than it is given credit for: "As human beings, we change. Our lives change. Our opinions change. Our habits change. Our thoughts change. Our perspectives change. Our ideas change. Our goals, dreams and aspirations change. And with that needs to come flexibility. If, on the other hand, we are constantly in the process of change, but are also constantly trying to stick to our initial commitments and try to avoid being a quitter, we're going to be pulled in both directions, never making progress in either."

Whether in business or in our personal lives, we are always told never to give up or give in. "Stick with it, kid." "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." "Try, try again." "If at first you don't succeed..." You get the idea. Yet, how often do we also hear the complete opposite advice? That when something doesn't work, not to keep repeating the same thing over and over? (In marketing, we hear this all the time.)  Contrary to what 90% of all the "business success" books proselytise, satisfaction and well-being can often come from throwing in the towel. And not simply knowing when to quit, but actually quitting. There are many cases when the time and energy it requires to continually look for a different, workable angle of approach often are not justified by the return - and a whole new route is the best plan of attack.

Our measure of worth is often judged by our achievements, and social mores typically define achievement as having accomplished a goal or attained a certain level of success. If we quit, we're seen as a loser. A non-achiever. The dirty 7-letter Q word: quitter.

Well, I'm here to make a declaration: I am a quitter. That's right, I quit and I'm proud. And as a result of quitting, I've often improved my life and the lives of those around me. In fact, my success often comes from my ability to quit. Paradox? I think not.

Any time our company was involved in a line of business, a client relationship, or a technology that simply didn't return on its investment - the time and money infused to keep it "a success" - we pulled the plug. We've remained in the market - and profited from it - often while others have not, and we credit this in part to knowing when to quit. Through quitting, I've ended numerous projects and plans, abandoned goals, and started fresh many times. And it's allowed me to take advantage of new opportunities and gain new leases on life along the way.

Life around us changes daily - personally and professionally. Our ability to shift gears and adapt - to quit when we need to quit - keeps us fluid, flexible, and - yes - successful.

Comments

[Topher]

Quitting is also about saying 'no'. Sometimes you do have to stop.

They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different outcome. Would you tell some like that to 'Stick it out'?

Sometimes you gotta quit.