We live in a society where quitting or “giving up” is highly frowned upon. If you walk away from something you no longer have an interest in, you’re deemed a quitter. If you discover a new direction that requires a different use of your time you’re said to be lost.
Yet despite what many say, quitting isn’t always a bad choice and in fact can be one of the best decisions you make. Whether that means dropping an old hobby for a new one, or leaving a job to resurrect your broken soul in more fulfilling work. There’s no point sticking around just for the sake of it.
Now to be clear, quitting simply because times get rough is not what I’m talking about. Anything worth having is going to take strength, determination, and a ton of effort. But there are times when calling it quits is the most intelligent choice. Here’s 5 Reasons why.
You’re Doing It Purely For Pride: Staying in a job or obligation you don’t enjoy just because of your pride is one reason many people roll out of bed unhappy. Is carrying that lawyer tag really worth not being content? Is rising to the top really worth sacrificing your integrity? Having pride is a good but only to a certain extent. Don’t let the label of “quitter” keep you on a path that you know has a dead end.
You’re Comfortable: If you want to live a comfortable life by all means do so. But here at PluginID we are all about pushing your comfort zone and growing as a human being, which requires some degree of uncertainty. If you’re current situation leaves you bored to tears and wanting more, maybe it’s time you reevaluate. There’s nothing wrong with being comfortable, but at the end of the day you know there’s so much more to live and experience. If you’re just going though the motions so you don’t get hurt you’re missing out on a thing called life.
Your Heart’s Not In It: Interests change. Passions fluctuate. Don’t become attached to any one piece of your life. It’s easy to continue on a path just because you’ve done it all your life. But if you’re hearts not in it, do what you can to get out. I’m not going to be extreme and say quit your job on the spot, but if it makes sense do what you can to change careers. Start a fund. Get proactive. Find a place where your heart excels.
You’re In It Just For Others: There’s nothing wrong with trying to earn respect from your family and friends. Everyone does it. But there comes a point when you have to live your life for you. That doesn’t mean to be selfish in your endeavors but it also means you shouldn’t be a doormat for people to walk on. I can’t tell you how many people I know who are in certain situations only because they think that’s what their friends and family want. Be honest with those around you. Tell them of your ambitions and goals. Being true to yourself is far better than putting on a fake just to please your loved ones.
You’re Scared: Quitting is scary. So is uncertainty. But don’t let that stop you from switching paths. You’d be surprised at how quickly it is we adapt. When I moved to China I was scared out of my mind. But it turns out moving was a great experience for me in so many ways. Being scared means you care. But it also shouldn’t keep you from moving forward. Not having a job may be scary, but it’s a better alternative then letting your passions die. Stepping down as director of your community may open new doors for you to pursue. Everyone gets scared, it’s those that take action in spite of that fear that always come out on top.
Walking Away
The truth of the matter is many people fill their lives with commitments and jobs they can’t stand. While some obligations are necessary to function in our society, you have plenty more control of your life work and daily routine then you often give yourself credit for.
Taking time to determine if your current path is the one right for you will save you weeks perhaps years of misery, but it does take courage. Realize the longer you sit and settle the harder it will become to finally step up to the plate and acknowledge the complex human being you are.
If you’re currently unsatisfied with the life you’re living realize you have the ability to change it to fit your needs. Stop wasting your valuable time living a life that doesn’t fulfill you.
Is it time you quit? Is your heart nudging you in a entirely new direction? Perhaps it’s time you walk away with your head held high. You’ll thank yourself later.
Well said Bud. There certainly are times when it takes more guts to quit than to continue. When we find that “To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day…” (Shakespeare) it is time to look deep within and start anew.
“If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Then quit, no point being stupid about it.”
As you say there are definitely times in life when quitting should be a valid choice and far too many people live half lives of mediocrity simply because they see quitting as being weak. There is a profound difference between giving up and quitting because something doesn’t fit with your personal brand.
Thanks for the post Bud. I identified with the part about “being comfortable.” Made me think of a quote from Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald’s:
“When you’re green you’re growing, when you’re ripe you start to rot.”
Have a great weekend!
Brian
Bud, there is a song lyric that I have pulled a lot of meaning from lately. It’s by Rise Against and says, “Maybe we’ve outgrown all the things that we once loved.”
I think back to some of the things that were important to me in highschool and college, and by important I mean earth shattering important, and I can’t even imagine doing some of those things today. Hey, we change, that’s just life.
There are also instances in history when NOT quitting something actually proved to be the worst decision of all. Think of all the horse buggy manufacturers who wrote the “motor car” off as a passing fad. We can’t even remember the names of those companies today, can we?
I always say if you are going to fail, fail fast, and try a new approach. Thanks for a great post my friend!
That’s what Seth Godin actually says in his book ‘the dip’. It says that you shouldn’t work on something for the reasons Bud mentioned above. You’ve to constantly keep searching for things that work. It’s important to stay persistent, but when nothing works for a time you can’t afford, you should start a new.
And Rob, I like your talk about Guts in particular. You’ve to have guts to do it. Or be ready for failures :\
Well said Bud!
I think the reason a lot of people don’t quit is that they’re scared of being rejected by people that care about or they are afraid of failing in the new venture.
Quitting is sometimes the best thing you can do. The only time I have a problem with my coaching clients who want to do it is when they are doing it because they don’t think their good enough or aren’t as experienced at something as someone else.
This is so important to consider for people who really want to follow their dreams. Most of the time the only thing holding them back is a fear or uncertainty or a need to have immediate stability. Nothing forces people to stay in dead end jobs but their own rationalization that its too risky not to. Most millionare probably go through a phase where they don’t have much, but they want their dream so bad they push past the obstacles.
This is so true. I’m so, so glad I moved to Arizona from Ohio in 2007. I’d do all over again. I’m also giving myself permission to follow my passion, even if that means quitting a job that provides some income. If my heart isn’t in it then I’m kidding myself that I’ll put 100% or more effort into it. I’d rather do something, nurture something that I love and will be a benefit to others at the same time. Life’s too short to be stuck in a dead end job just because it’s a “cushy” position. Start saving (if you haven’t already done so) and then quit — do something you love! Take a risk, it won’t kill you!
Commenting on Joe Wilner (& also of this excellent article post by Bud), this might all seem easier, or at least the roads/path are more wide open, when you have a dream to become a millionaire or something like that. But my dilemma is what if that dream is of the road less travelled?
For example, I’ve always known since 7 years ago (yes that’s such a long time) that my utmost ultimate dream is to become a musician/singer/songwriter/composer, because not only I have so much huge passion in it, but many have also said I have such a ‘rare’ talents in it (no intention to boast at all, just stating).
Everyday, ideas & inspirations constantly just come into my mind, and I’m even so much overwhelmed by them.
But the *Reality* that I’m always always scared of is, as you all might’ve probably guessed correctly, of HOW to make a PRACTICAL daily life LIVING on it???…
This is still not to mention that I have such a high vision in my music AND concept, that it’s a brand new kind of music probably never heard before, so yes, it’s probably FAR from the current ‘mainstream type’ of music. Which is WHY I’m getting more & more SCARED & AFRAID, and still stuck in a day job that I actually hate so much just to fulfill family’s obligations & expectations (in a family business) for SEVEN years!!
I am too damn scared & afraid (FEAR) to move past it,
while constantly asking two things:
1. HOW ?? ie: HOW can I start to *transition* from this hellish dayjob into a music job that I really really love?
2. IS IT FEASIBLE? What if in the end, I’ve made a WRONG choice, ie: nobody like, listening & buying my music (although in Reality, many people have actualy liked, even loved my music..but I’m just still worried & have no solid confidence..I don’t know why, it’s frustrating) , and hence, go BROKE ???
Remember, this is NOT a dream to become a millionaire, businessmen, doctors, or anything that IMO still considered “general” dreams, which is still quite ‘normal’ dreams.
But what if I have such ‘not normal’ dreams?
or like dreaming to be a writer, a filmmaker, anything like that..?
What about the RISKS of being broke, no money, and hence REALITY bites ??
@Rob: Thanks man. Appreciate your kind words. Shakespeare was a genius.
@Jonny! Great point man. So many people grow up with the mentality that it is NEVER OK to quit and that just results in them being miserable all the time. Obviously some people quit TOO much but for the most part most people are too afraid.
@Josuhua. I love Rise Against man! Thanks for stopping by.
@Jaky Good points man. I know it’s over stated but I like Thomas Edison’s approach to failure in regard to the light bulb. ” I didn’t fail 10,000 times I just found out 10,000 ways that didn’t work.”
@Joe The commitment to excellence is what separates the boys from the men
Rebecca! So true. Glad your move worked out for you.
Niki: Hustle your butt off. That’s all there’s too it. Assuming you’re remotely decent at singing and or music, and you market yourself effectively the time will come.
Produce everyday. Get yourself out there. Accept that no one is going to come to your rescue.
And oh, who has normal dreams? No one.
I think if your heart isn’t in it, there will be no house on the hill, rolls royce in your back yard of yacht on the peer. You have to dream big and put your heart between every line written and blogged about. Thats how the big dogs think….time to end pup school
Hi,
Bud great post. Today everyone recommends to “Don’t Quit” but never take in consideration that somethings should be left behind if them do not make us nearer to our purpose. I totally agree with your point of view. If you are not fulfilled with what your are doing go away from it, it will make you farther from your Dream. Make a Soul search and find your calling and stay in that track until you achieve your dream.
Regards,
Melvin Ramos
If you keep running against the same walls – sure sign you should look for a door and leave. Keep asking yourself what the outcome of something will be if you keep on doing what you are doing. It takes courage to do so.
Markus Trauernicht
As much as I agree, it’s really hard to be bold and choose a different path. I’m just out of high school and am taking a year off to work and such. It’s my dream to start making an income from home(specifically online from blogging), which is so foreign to my family, who have always been locked in the 9 to 5 grind and never thought there was any other way.
I can’t say my current job(working in a restaurant) is doing what I want to do forever, but it’s getting me by right now, helping me earn money for things I need. While a leap of faith is sometimes in order, there’s something to be said for security.. It would be foolish of me to quit right now as I don’t have an alternative source of income.
I liked the points you made though, like symptoms to look out for. I will make the jump soon I hope!
Hi Bud,
Very nice post. Many times people need to quit what they are doing, but unfortuantely they don’t, even thought they don’t like it. Sometimes they even do it just for others and not themselves. Thanks for sharing
Well said. Life is too short to do something you don’t love.
I can connect to what you are saying; it is frightening to begin over again. Even when we are miserable doing what we are doing and know that it is not going to get better it is hard to just walk away and start something new. What if we end up doing something worse? What if we fail? What if all our friends laugh at us? There are so many things that keep us doing the same old thing even when we hate it.
Quitting can be hard especially if you have sunk a lot of time or money into what you are doing. Say for instance a home business or a home improvement project that has gotten out of hand. Even when we know that we will never get the time or money back and continuing will just make the loss worse, it is hard to walk away.