Stop When You’re Done, Not When You’re Tired

There was a man who grew and sold vegetables for a living and he heard a story about a mine that was rumored to have a fortune in gemstones. He quit his job, moved to the mines and started to dig day after day trying to find the precious rocks, but he would always leave empty handed.

One day he started to feel like he was tired of digging and digging and he went back to selling vegetables. Another man had seen him do all that hard work day after day and he carried on the search only to find the gemstones a few hours after he picked up where the other man had stopped.

This is a story that has been told a million times in many different ways, but it’s a perfect warning to those who stop when they are tired instead of stopping when they are done.

Fear keeps us from reaching our goals

The man who decided to go back to selling vegetables and quit his search on the mines was mainly moved by fear. He was tired and he started feeling afraid that he was never going to find the gemstones. His fear of doing something without any remuneration was the biggest factor that led him to quit, but this is the biggest mistake anyone can make in life.

Everything we do in life is going to have ups and downs and sometimes we are going to be cruising through life, while other times we are going to be traversing very difficult roads. Being able to keep moving forward when the road gets tough is the key element that is going to separate those who succeed from those who let fear keep them in a comfort zone that is far from optimal.

You only fail when you stop trying

There are many things that can get in the way of success, but there is absolutely no way to succeed in life if you stop trying. Having the discipline to commit to what you are doing is going to be extremely helpful in every aspect of your life. Don’t forget that the key is to be excited about everything that could go right instead of worrying about what could go wrong.

Don’t forget that the journey is all that truly matters

The journey that you embark on is going to be the most enjoyable aspect of your life. The destination is important, but the journey is the part that you are going to experience for the longest amount of time. The journey takes years and even decades, and once the destination is reached, you start a new journey, so stop feeling so eager to reach your destination and enjoy the adventure.

Knowing when stopping is the best choice

Once you have started a project, you need to see if this is actually a viable process for you. The best way to determine this is to find out if you have the skills and the resources to finish what you started. If you want to quit because you are afraid, you are not quitting for the right reasons, but if you want to stop something because it’s not viable for you, this is a decision that comes out of logic and strategy, not due to fear.

Final thoughts

Our decisions are always going to determine the outcome of our journey through life. This means that quitting something because you feel tired and scared is only going to lead to more disappointment and frustration. Give yourself the opportunity to persevere and you are always going to find something positive in return.

Gregg Swanson is a peak performance consultant and human potential coach and has authored several books and numerous articles on peak performance. Gregg specializes in developing mental strength in individuals that desire to reach their full potential. He has developed a unique online training program “Develop the Mental Strength of a Warrior.” You can also pick up your free eBook,” Why Change is So Hard” by going HERE.