How to Quit Anything

How to Quit Anything

Oftentimes we think of quitting as a bad thing, but it only means something bad if you make it mean something bad.

In truth, quitting can actually be a good thing in many scenarios. It’s a way of deciding something wasn’t right for you, so you can move on and find something that is.

Every decision you make in life is a lot like trial-and-error. You decide to do xyz, not really knowing how it’s going to play out in the future. Will you like doing xyz? Is it going to be a good fit for you? And what if it ends up being not what you’d hoped, or expected?

That’s where quitting comes into play. Like the decision you made to accept that job offer or become a volunteer, quitting is another decision along the path to becoming your future self.

Just to be clear-giving up on a dream or goal because it’s “too hard” is not what I’m talking about when I speak of quitting. I’m talking about quitting when something no longer serves you or your future self.

That said, let’s talk how to quit anything.

Get over the belief that quitting is a bad thing.

Everything starts in the mind.

Quitting isn’t a bad thing unless you make it mean that it is. In fact, quitting in many cases is actually a good thing-it’s a sign you’ve figured out what you’re doing isn’t the best fit for you, and quitting allows you to seek out something that is.

Every decision we make in life is simply trial-and-error. Try one thing, and if it doesn’t work, you move on to the next. This is the evolution between where we are now, to that of our future self. If you don’t figure out what doesn’t work, how will you ever figure out what does?

It’s common to think that maybe the problem is with you and that you need to change. Maybe if you changed x, y, and z, your situation will improve without the need to quit.

Unfortunately, when something isn’t meant for you, trying to force change to make it work for you won’t cut it. The change you do need to make, however, is the tough one-quitting.

So, how do you know if you should quit?

If any of the following apply to you, take it as your sign it’s time to quit:

There’s no vision.
What you’re doing is not meaningful.
It doesn’t serve your future self.
You find it dreadful.
It’s not healthy.
There’s no spark.
It’s not fruitful.
There’s toxicity.
It’s not satisfying.

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Be OK with quitting.

The next step is to be OK with quitting. Be OK with not having all the answers and not knowing how it’s going to work out. Quitting takes courage and having confidence in your ability to figure things out.

When you learn to be ok with quitting and have the confidence things are going to work out (and they will!), this enables you to pull the trigger on quitting and be happy with your decision.

It took me over a year to quit a job I eventually came to dread. What started out as a promising and rewarding job, turned into working for an organization I eventually saw no fruit in. I also witnessed people being mistreated (as well as myself), so I felt it unethical for me to stay. I’d learned a lot while employed there, but I knew it was time to move on a year before I pulled the plug.

It was scary when I finally did it, because I wasn’t sure what the future held-but, going back to being ok with quitting, I formed the belief everything would be ok, and built up the courage to move forward.

Sure enough, shortly after quitting, the floodgates opened on my freelance writing career, and simultaneously, I was offered the amazing full-time job I have now working from home.

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Set a date to quit by.

Don’t wait for the perfect timing to quit-it will never come.

Instead, set a drop-dead date you will quit by. Don’t just fly by the seat of your pants, promising yourself one of these days it’s going to happen.

Setting a drop-dead date creates the urgency you need to get everything squared away before the big day.

You’ll want to brainstorm what skills and resources you’ll need to acquire by that date. Maybe you need to spend some time with a mentor or leader who can help you take the next step. Whatever you need to do, write it all down and make a plan to get it done by your drop-dead quit date.

The sooner you quit, the sooner you can move on and seek what’s next.

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Before You Go

As you can see, quitting is nothing to feel bad or ashamed about, and means nothing bad about you.

Quitting is a pro-active choice you’re making in favor of your future self.

If you find yourself in a situation where sticking around feels harmful, unhealthy, or hinders you from becoming something more, it’s time to quit.

Remember, the first step is to change the way you think about quitting. Then, learn to be ok with the choice to quit. Set a drop-dead date, make a plan, then pull the plug.

Your future self will thank you.

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Lisa

Hi! I'm Lisa. I help women live purposeful, fulfilling and joyful lives. I'm happily married and a fur mom to two boxers and two rabbits. I love Jesus, freelance writing, fitness, personal development, reading books, football, cross-stitching, and video games.