I QUIT!

A friend asked me the other day – when do you admit defeat and refocus vs. when do you keep driving and going forward?  How do you know?  Here are some thoughts.

Thought 1:  You don’t have to do something forever – jobs, careers, businesses, relationships can run their course and can cease to make sense or be relevant.  Another way to think of quitting is… trading up, shifting, focusing, clarifying, changing course, bringing to a conclusion, phasing out, moving on, putting it to rest, stopping, retiring.  Insert any one of these phrases for quitting and see how they feel.

Thought 2:  Sit with it.  If something isn’t working out, admit it and own it.  It may be your job – once the source of joy – is now drudgery.  Identify what it is that isn’t working for you.  Understand the elements.  Knowing the truth and understanding it can clarify what you can do to fix it.  Wishing your situation would return to the way it was isn’t going to move you forward.

Thought 3:  Resentment is a red flag.  Forcing yourself day in and day out to do what you do builds resentment.  Resentment is toxic.  It weighs you down, saps your energy, makes you miserable to everyone around you.  Change what you’re forcing yourself to do, phase it out or drop it all together.

Thought 4:  Anxiety.  Does thinking about your upcoming week excite you or are you dreading it?  If you consistently wish your work-week wouldn’t start at all, you’re not building your happiness.  Time to look for a new situation, something to look forward to each day, rather than feel like running away.

Thought 5:  You don’t need to explain.  If something doesn’t feel right, it doesn’t feel right.  You don’t have to rationalize it to yourself or others.  Making up excuses is pretty lame.  You victimize yourself when rationalizing your feelings.  Quitting responsibly sometimes requires some explanation – keep this rooted in your feelings, not excuses or nitpicking.

Thought 6:  Defeat, or something that’s run its course?  You have an idea, you work on it, you’re excited about it, you move it forward and work hard.  It doesn’t work out the way you would have liked – that’s not defeat in my book.  The learning, experience, people and knowledge that are gained working through a new idea are enough of a gift.

Thought 7:  How do you know?  If you’re questioning it, you already have your answer.  When your energy is gone and you can’t get your zip back, it’s time to move on.  Take the pieces and parts that work with you to your next adventure and discard the rest.  It’s been a great ride.

What are your thoughts?  When do you know to move on?  What have I left off?  Leave your comments below.

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