The 6 Reasons That Prove That Quitting is Not Always a Mark of Failure -by Sarifa Alonto Younes

There’s a perception that choosing to quit means choosing to fail. But the truth is that sometimes, quitting means winning.

The first year of our lives is a time of tremendous change.

We grow from a tiny, helpless baby into a walking, talking toddler. It's early proof that we are born with the innate drive to push ourselves to new limits.

And as children, we didn't really care whether we could do something or not. We just try anything without the fear of failing. It is only when our parents respond with worry that we begin to lose our confidence and want to avoid trying difficult tasks.

This is why as we get older and develop more fear than confidence, our willingness to try new things diminishes.

So, when we look at ourselves today, we see a lack of faith even in our own abilities. We think that we'll be unable to meet our goals, so we just end up quitting even if we've already started our journey.

As a result, we've become accustomed to associating the idea of quitting with failure.

But what really happens when people quit? Do you always become a failure when you quit?

The truth is, quitting sometimes may be the best course of action for us to take.

And in this article, you’ll discover six reasons why this is the case.

The 6 Reasons

Reason #1. It's a sign that you're smart and you know when the best option for you to walk away

Quitting gives you the chance to reassess your goals.

When you stop trying new things and are content with your current state, you inevitably become bored and used to things. You can even complain about how things were better ‘back in the day’.

So, when you quit, you do it because you know it’s time to step back and re-evaluate why you’re in that position and what you really want out of life.

And once you make those important realizations, it becomes easier for you to plan your next moves.

Reason #2. It gives you the opportunity to start over

Let’s say you want to work out to lose weight.

So, you go on a diet that’s been all the rage among your peers. But it doesn’t seem to be working for you. Worse, going on that diet often makes you feel weak, which isn’t something that your peers experienced.

If you continue with your diet, you know that you will eventually end up sick.

But if you quit that diet, you give yourself the chance to recover and find a more suitable option to achieve your goal.

In the same way, quitting can mean you’re stopping something that harms you. And you quit so you can find something else that will be better for you.

Reason #3. It can be a catalyst for change and help you find new opportunities

Six months after my mother died, I came to the realization that I would have to accept my circumstances.

At the same time, I learned that I actually have the power to control how I feel and what I think about. I also realized that in order to have a broader scope of life than what was right in front of me, education was the path forward.

My point is this:

Quitting my old mindset allowed me to go after my dreams. Had I not done it, I would have likely ended up just giving up on my dreams and settling for whatever goes my way.

Reason #4. It can be the beginning of a new journey

When you face challenges, you may feel overwhelmed, as if your abilities will never be enough to overcome the obstacles in your path. Unfortunately, there are rare circumstances where what you’re thinking is actually true.

Instead of wasting your time and energy on an impossible endeavor, it might be better to quit. That way, you can use your resources on carving a new path for yourself that’s better than the last one.

Reason #5. It can be your first step towards success

Most of us are like a boat without a rudder. We end up swayed by the wind and the waves, endlessly drifting and bopping in the currents of life.

If you don't have a clearly defined vision or mission, it's as if you don't know where you're going. And you will be influenced by just anything that comes your way.

As you know, influence can either be good or bad.

If the influence is good, then it’s something you need to retain in your life, of course. That kind of influence allows you to develop yourself and become a better version of yourself. Not to mention it can help lead you to success.

But if the influence that cocoons you is negative, the best option is to quit. That is, you need to quit letting it play a pivotal role in your life. Otherwise, you’ll never achieve your fullest potential nor achieve the kind of success you’ve always dreamt of.

Reason #6. It means you have the courage to try again

In our society, we often have a lot of admiration for celebrities and champions. We praise the “successful” and look at them with admiration and envy at times.

But often, we just see them as being lucky to have fame and fortune. We assume that they had it easier than the rest of us, which is why they are there and we are here.

The truth is that when you look closely at their journey, you'll find that they went through trials of adversity. They’ve also gone through failure after failure.

More importantly, they have unwavering persistence to not give up no matter what—to get there.

What do you think led them to that decision?

It’s because they wanted to quit their old lives, so to speak. And this is why they did all that they could to change their circumstance.

Quitting Doesn’t Always Mean Failing, So Don't Be Afraid to Do It

Everyone struggles. It’s just a part of life.

And sometimes, the struggle can be too much for us to bear. So, we end up thinking more about quitting than persevering.

However, society’s expectations tell us not to do it. We’re fed with the belief that quitting is a mark of failure. If we just accept what life throws at us and persevere, we’ll eventually get to where we want to be.

What they don’t realize is that at times, quitting is part of the equation when it comes to achieving success.

You have to quit some things and some circumstances that no longer serve you. Because only then can you make way for better ones.

So, you should never be afraid of quitting when the situation calls for it. Think of quitting not as a means of failure but as a redirection instead.

And it can be your real first step towards achieving success.

Just keep in mind that quitting doesn’t mean completely stopping. Instead, think of it as you’re pressing the reset button in your life.

If you want further guidance on how to overcome obstacles, feel free to book my speaking services at your next event.