“Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out.” – Art Linkletter
This is a guest post by Caleb Wojcik of Pocket Changed.
Not everything always goes according to plan. You may try to do something new and find out that you don’t like it, aren’t satisfied, or want to try something else. You may want to quit.
But then the following quote comes to mind.
“Winners never quit and quitters never win.” – Vince Lombardi
Yes, perseverance is a key personality trait for champions, especially in a competition like a marathon or any other endurance based race.
But, what matters is not whether or not you decide quit. What matters is quitting when the time is right.
Some of the world’s most successful leaders in recent history were quitters.
- Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates dropped out of college to start Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft.
- Michael Jordan quit basketball, decided to give baseball a try, then quit baseball, went back to basketball, and won three more NBA Championships.
- Jeff Bezos quit a comfortable job in New York City to move to Seattle and start Amazon on a whim.
So, how do quitters actually end up winning more than non-quitters?
- They don’t waste time on things they don’t enjoy doing.
- They know when it is time to leave a sinking ship before it goes under.
- They stay focused on what they are passionate about instead of being distracted by “what’s new”.
- They get more experience by learning when to stop.
- They are willing to take educated risks.
- They try more things.
- They know what they like.
Winners do quit, but they quit to start something new. And when they find what they like, they then do that extremely well and with all their energy.
Is it time for you to quit something to start something new?
Caleb Wojcik is a personal finance expert, professional development coach, and a web-based entrepreneur. He writes at Pocket Changed to teach people how to live more fulfilling lives by learning how to master their money, do work that matters, and live simplified lives. Head over to Pocket Changed to find out more about how you can actually earn a living doing what you are passionate about or find him on Facebook.
Thanks Caleb for the great post. I really loved what you shared here and it is so inspiring. You are so right that sometimes the best thing we can do is really take a closer look at what we are doing and make certain we aren’t making excuses that are holding us back from what we really want. Thanks for sharing your wisdom here.
Thanks to you too Sibyl. I completely agree with what I wrote above too.
Once I began quitting at things that weren’t producing the results I was expecting I started seeing more success.
Enlightening post!
Thanks Angel for stopping by and taking the time to comment. So glad that you liked the post:)
“They don’t waste time on things they don’t enjoy doing.” – valuable advice. So often people won’t quit because they assume it will make them look bad, when every extra moment being unhappy is just not worth it.
Great post Caleb. Thank you Sibyl!
Vidya … so true..it is all about following your passion. Thanks for the comment and thanks for dropping by.
Hey Celeb,
Pretty neat perspective. However, I don’t like to look at it as quitting but Just “moving on”. Great read!
Hey Vic: I think you make a great point … it really is about moving on to something that you are more passionate about. Thanks for dropping by and thanks for the comment.
“Moving on.” I like it.
I usually go with “letting go”.
Knowing when to quit or let go is always something that looks good in hindsight. We just have to go with our gut or intuition and know when it is time to quit.
Justin: I think you are 100% right. It’s all about knowing when to let go and move on. Sometimes that is easier than it is other times, but if you follow your heart, you always will be moving in the right direction. Thanks so much for the comment and for dropping by.
Great point Justin. Following your instincts can be hard to do, but people that know how to trust them actually are more successful.
You’re right on with this one Caleb! I have quit/moved on from many things (cushy jobs, fun experiences, etc.) when they stopped serving me. People around me thought I was crazy but I’ve never regretted any of those decisions. They all led me to better places and, ultimately, to where I am now. The decisions aren’t always easy but, if we make them with our core values and priorities in mind, they will always lead us in the right direction.
Great post! Thanks Sibyl!!
Paige: Thanks for the comment and for dropping by. I agree with you that Caleb is right on point with his post. Sometimes it really is all about making those tough decisions and moving onto something you are really passionate about.
One can look at life as that of a journey traveled by wagon. The course of the trip has continual side trips along the way. As wooden wheels break down, parts are salvaged for the upkeep of the working wheels, so that the journey can proceed. A journey not as much in search of financial success, or fame, but more so a journey that allows the passenger to enrich and be enriched along the way.
One does not have to necessarily ‘quit’ any aspect of the life’s journey, but can reserve that which has already formed their own unique vehicle. When one enters new unexplored territory presenting yourself honestly to the native inhabitants is of prime importance…if the wish is to be newly enriched, and to likewise enrich from one’s own developed heart.
At the end of the journey it is not as important to say that you were successful with this or that, but rather that you are able to take one last deep content breath at the end…
Here’s a song to listen to along the way:
http://youtu.be/RGbVoDVWZsc
Thank you Caleb and Sibyl
Hey Rand: Good to see you. Hope you have been well:) Totally agree … what matters the most is being able to say that you enjoyed the journey:) Thanks for the comment and thanks for dropping by.
Thanks for the comment Rand. I approve of your music selection of Journey as well.
Sibyl,
This is an idea I’ve thought about a lot because parents always say to their kids (in a very stern voice), “The ______ Family are not quitters. You want to do _________. So you’re going to finish it up and stick to it.” I finally realized what a cultural thought this was when I found myself saying it to one of my own children. Then I changed the way I was thinking and said, “Why not quit?” I would if I was unhappy. Our son quit football and went on to play Ultimate Frisbee. He was the captain of his frisbee team and they won the state championship that year!!
I just love your post.
Thanks!
Thanks Besty for dropping by and thanks for the comment. I think what you said is really also an insight I had … you can’t just hold on to something because you always have. If it doesn’t feel right, sometimes it really is best to move on to something you are really passionate about. Thanks for dropping by. Always appreciated.
Thanks for the great comment Betsy. Quitting really isn’t usually as negative as most people think it is.
Another great example of quitting and moving on to bigger and better things. Instead of saying “I quit” it can be better to say “I’m finished with this”. Then you are starting something new right after it.
Hi Sybil and Caleb,
Thanks for this great post. I’m currently reflecting on quitting my current activity to move to blogging. I found it quite stimulating to read such writings. Like many of us, I am wondering if I’d be doing the right thing but I can feel it is the right time to do so even though everyone around me would find it quite risky. But I know I will love this new job because I love so much writing and I think I Found my niche
Cheers