Have you ever heard that old phrase “Quitters Never Win and Winner’s Never Quit”? This idea has been instilled in many of us from a young age, implying that “quitting” is universally something to be ashamed of. That it’s the sign of a weak person, or – even worse – a lazy person.
Well I call bullsh*t.
We simply can’t follow every path we start all the way to the finish line. Not everyone who joins gymnastics as a child is going to make it to the Olympics. Not every basketball player will make it to the NBA. And not everyone who starts out as a biology major will end as a doctor.
We need to be selective.
Sometimes quitting is a necessary evil. Sometimes it’s not an evil at all, but a huge positive choice. But overall, quitting can and should be seen as an individual honing in on what path is right for their own life. And, what once felt so surely your path may not feel the same a decade later.
I’ve hinted at a big life change I’ve made over on my Instagram. Some of you know, my life and work has all revolved around travel, aerial acrobatics, and art for many many years. And while I love each of these fields even now, I began to reassess my role within them.
To wrap it up in a tidy bow, ultimately I’ve left a position that no longer aligned with my future goals. However, the decision was anything but tidy. Emotions, memories, and nerves were definitely present.
But here’s the thing.
Not all paths are meant to be followed until then end. Not all mountains are meant to be climbed to the top. And not all former “wants” are meant to stay the same until we die.
Sometimes staying the course carries with it the highest cost. Sometimes not quitting is leading you to the wrong goal. And the last thing I want for anyone is to be at the end of the road and to look back at all the things they wished they’d done.
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When I look back, I see loads of things I’ve quit. I’ve quit relationships that didn’t fit. I’ve quit jobs that I no longer loved. I’ve quit cities when it was time for a change. And, I’ve quit friendships when necessary. And frankly, they’ve all been for the better.
Quitting isn’t only about saying “no” to the path you were following. It’s also about saying “yes” to a new path.
Once you realize that you’re climbing the wrong mountain or following the wrong path, it is perfectly okay to stop. Flat out stop. It is perfectly okay to turn around, or to sidestep, to find that path that feels right. In my opinion, the sooner the better.
So let’s reframe this idea of quitting.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; we only have this one life. We only get this one chance. This isn’t a practice run, there are no do-overs. So we need to use this time that we were given wisely. Chasing dreams that matter to us. Building a life that we truly want to live.
Stop following a path just because you’re not supposed to quit. Go wild. Be bold. Go travel. Explore the globe. Find the love of your life. Start a job that sparks your passions. And be okay with the mucky in-between. Because a life without risk is definitely not one that I’m interested in!
Listen to that feeling in your gut. Reassess your life when necessary. Quit often and quit proudly – because you are embarking on a path that you truly feel called to be on.
Quitters sometimes win, and winners sometimes quit. And perhaps the truth is, those that don’t quit are the ones who actually lose the most.
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