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Learning to quit the right things in the right way is especially important for those who can never seem to find enough time for the things in life that they truly care about. This of course goes back to not identifying priorities, but also not being clear on what someone wants from life. There is only so much time in the day, and there is only so much that can be done. Learning to know our own limits, knowing how to make the most out of each and every day, and understanding what quitting can actually do for you is imperative for your success. Most people want to look at quitting from a negative view as “throwing in the towel”, but I am one of the few who doesn’t look at quitting as failure. When quitting is done correctly, it isn’t giving up – it’s making room for something better.
When quitting is done correctly, it isn't giving up - it's making room for something better. Share on XSo, in this necessary discovery of knowing what you need to quit, I want to help you in whatever stage of life you are in. Here are 8 signs it may be time to quit something, in order to make room for something better:
It may be time to quit if your mental and physical health is deteriorating.
As many times as I have started something new, I have also had to know when to quit. Anyone can start something, but quitting gracefully is a true art. If you quit too early, you will miss out on the full benefits of starting in the first place and embarking on the journey. But, if you quit too late, stress levels will soar, your mental and physical health will diminish, and burnout will ensue. I can promise that, because I have experienced this firsthand.
If you don’t have any balance in your life, the health and relationship results will be the same. Some people would say that there is no such thing as work-life balance, but I’m calling bluff. You have to figure out what works for you, but I would challenge you to get to the spot in life where you are fitting your work around the most important people in your life, rather than the other way around. Society has tried to trick us for far too long that work is more important than relationships, but I’m not stupid. No work is worth making family, friends, or other relationships suffer.
Nothing in this world is worth long-term diminishing health, because if you are unhealthy, you will have nothing to offer to others. It may be time to quit, so that you can bring balance back to your life. Take care of your health, and take care of others as well.
It may be time to quit if you are experiencing constant frustration.
Frustration isn’t a reason to quit, but if it’s daily, or even weekly frustration that you are experiencing, that’s usually a good sign that you may need to use your time for something that empowers you, rather than for something that discourages.
It may be time to quit if dead ends keep showing up.
When there’s no possible way that you can become better at something, it may be time to move on. Maybe you’ve tried studying more to become better, and the people around you aren’t making you better, and you honestly can’t remember the last thing you have learned, then it may be time to quit in order to become better.
A clue that will tell you if you are currently in a dead end, is that the time you’ve been doing something is the only reason you keep doing it. When tenure is the sole reason keeping you dedicated, then it may be time to quit. When I have been working on something for months, it is difficult to quit. But, when something isn’t working, it is best to just move on. You will know if you’ve had ample time to find your definition of success. If you have given yourself enough time and you still can’t seem to find breakthrough, it may be time to move on.
It may be time to quit if your plan isn’t working.
If you have been following a plan, and it isn’t working, then make a different plan. Maybe the plan looks good on paper, and everyone in your inner circle agrees that it’s a great plan, but if it isn’t providing the results that you want or need, then it’s time for a new plan.
It may be time to quit if you would rather be doing something awful.
For me, if I would rather be at home doing laundry than what I am currently doing, then I know it is time for me to quit. Doing the laundry is my least favorite thing to do in the world, so if it sounds more promising than what I’m working on, then I force myself to walk away immediately. There is no sense in being miserable – life is way too short for that.
It may be time to quit if you don’t feel appreciated.
If you are living life without feeling loved, it may be time to quit what you are doing, and try something different. Once you feel appreciated by those around you, there’s no going back. Of course, this goes both ways, so if you don’t feel appreciated right now, make sure you are doing everything in your power to make those around you feel appreciated as well. Instead of looking at quitting as your first option in this situation, you have the power within you to create a thriving culture of appreciation. Once you’ve tried everything you can and if you still don’t feel appreciated, then it may be time to quit.
It may be time to quit if life is boring.
There’s something to say for living life full of wonder. Waking up with amazement for a new day is a great way to see the world. When life isn’t this way, it is easy to become bored with the way life is going. If you are finding life to be this way, and you’ve already tried making what you are doing fun, it may be time to quit to find a new found curiosity for the world around you.
It may be time to quit if there’s little value found in what you are doing.
When you get to the end of your life, what are you going to want to be able to look back on and find value in? Whatever your answer to this question is, that is what you need to be working on daily. You may need to quit what you are doing, in order to find value.
Of course these are just some indications that it may be time to quit something, but if anything, knowing what’s a good enough reason to quit is half the battle. Quitting is hardly ever the best answer at first, but if time goes on and these indicators are still there, it may be time to look at quitting.
If quitting immediately sounds too drastic, then I have something else for you to try. While you are contemplating quitting, feel free to try other things while you are still attempting to find success in your endeavors. Testing the waters may just be the answer you are looking for. Doing this can sometimes offer enough courage to keep moving ahead.
Good message, and a useful set of markers to look for. What I appreciate about the way you’ve approached this is to to say, “May be time to quit.” In general we give up too easily, too soon.
We are often “of a mind,” Glenn. I agree that this post isn’t for most people or situations; it’s for those people who are committed by nature and who tend to stick with “sack of potato” things longer than they should.
Absolutely. I didn’t put it in writing, but in the podcast portion, I made sure to say I have been contemplating this, because it’s dangerous information in the wrong hands. This is line was intentional as well – “If you quit too early, you will miss out on the full benefits of starting in the first place and embarking on the journey.” Far too often, people quit before reaching their full potential, but when we hold onto things for far too long, doing so can actually hurt us, more often than help us. It truly is an art.
Hi Adam, I loved this one. I loved the one, “If you’d rather be doing something awful.” LOL I know for me, deteriorating health was the kick in the pants I needed. Now, although I am recovering from a surgery and don’t feel great, I am enjoying life much more than I was when I felt driven, frustrated, and out of balance. I have time (forced time) to enjoy the things I used to love to do. When I do get back to work, I have promised myself a slower pace. If I get back to the point where I don’t enjoy it again, I may even quit for good and do something else. Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband who encourages me to do my passions. Last night, after I took a photo of a sunset with my phone, he said, “Maybe you should become a photographer!” I though, “Wow, I am so lucky you aren’t saying something like, “When do you think you can go back to work and make money again?” Great post, Adam!
May your recovery be quick and full, Linda (but not “too” quick, if it’s allowing you time for important considerations and re-engagement with passions). Sometimes, these transitions in life really are perfect times to consider new options.
And kudos to your husband for encouraging you to remember that the world is yet full of possibilities.
I’m glad you are enjoying life more now, Linda. That’s great! I am so thankful for our spouses. They are blessings, huh? I can remember in 2012, when I almost died on a mountain climbing trip (that’s a different post), I can remember getting back and really studying life. I mean, I cleared house, and got super focused on what mattered. That’s about the time this blog changed, and everything else in my life literally changed.
Maybe we all go through these points in life for a reason? Of course, I have never been through brain surgery, but I am guessing the feeling of almost dying is the same. It brings a gratefulness for life that nothing else can bring. May you recover well, and always stay curious for life, just as you are now. You’re an inspiration, my friend.
Hey, Adam. This may be my favorite post of yours to date. Good stuff.
I would like to add, to any readers that make it into this comments section, that this post is written to a specific audience: committed people who might tend to stick with things too long. It is not written to people who tend to quite things too easily. If read from the latter perspective, it could be perceived as more affirmation to keep quitting everything, sticking to nothing. I would say that if you can’t immediately list three or four priorities or passions that you have stuck with for three to five years each, this post isn’t for you. (I hope you agree with that assessment, Adam.) Otherwise, it may be easy to tell yourself things like, “Well, I’d rather see the dentist than listen to my wife talk, so I guess it’s time to quit the marriage.”
I would also add that this is about considering quitting things that are relatively inconsequential. If there’s even a possibility that we might get to the end of our life and think, “I should’ve stuck with that,” it’s probably something we should keep trying at now, rather than quitting.
Again, this is for people who tend to stick with things too long without this kind of reminder to prioritize and stick to the most important and life-giving passions, and to invest in those things rather than to allow slow drains of energy toward things that I can let go without dire or long-term consequences (e.g., I can find another job if the particular job I’m in is especially unfulfilling, unappreciative, routine or dead-end).
For me, the things I need to keep an eye on potentially quitting are the things people asked me to take on for them, which over time grew beyond the initial commitment. I’ve become better at setting parameters up front. For instance, I might say: “You’ve asked me to do X for a total four-hour commitment this week. I can do that. But I do need to say up front that, if it stretches beyond that one-time, four-hour commitment, I’ll likely have to withdraw.”
I also have had a “rule” in place for years now. Before taking on any new commitment, I take three days for consideration. I tell people this up front. Unless it is literally a 15-minute immediate commitment, I tell people I need the three days to consider. If they say they need an answer now, I just reiterate my need for the three days on anything new and express that I won’t be able to help this time.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Thank you, Erik. And yes, I absolutely agree with your assessment. This has been a podcast that I have been contemplating for a month, now. I did this, because it’s dangerous information in the wrong hands, but life-giving transformation in the right hands. And I like your rule for committing to new things – it’s a very smart process my friend.