Do you remember the quote:
“Winners Never Quit and Quitters Never Win?”
I do.
It was a message that was ingrained in my head as a kid.
It covered every inch of the school walls. I heard it countless times being shouted by parents ‘motivating’ their kids at soccer games. It was everywhere.
But… that doesn’t mean it’s correct…
Winners Know How To Quit.
I grew up with the notion that you should never quit, even if it kills you.
That winners never quit if they want to succeed.
As I grow older, I see the fault in this mentality. That this mentality can actually get us into trouble…
Yes, There is Value in Not Quitting.
Using grit to push through challenges.
Especially if those challenges are something you’re passionate about.
And, of course, if it actually makes sense..
If it’s realistic and feasible…
But if your challenges aren’t feasible, if they are not realistic, then why do you continue to push on?
You’ll only end up digging yourself into a bigger hole…
There is Value in Quitting Smartly!
Sometimes we stick with something that makes no sense simply because we’re already committed.
We don’t want to risk looking like a fool and going back on our words.
But… if you’re doomed to fail anyways, why press on?
Doesn’t that already make you a fool…?
Learn When To Pivot.
In Seth Godin’s book The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (And When To Stick), he describes this dip as this point of temporary set back.
When challenges come up, we find ourselves stuck in this dip.
Those with the “Winner Never Quit” mentality will keep pushing on, if it’s the last thing they do.
Some, never make it out alive.
But this dip… this is where the real winners ask themselves:
“Do I stick this out, or do I pivot?”
It’s okay to reevaluate your goals. To change directions.
In fact, sometimes it’s the smartest thing you can do!
Do It! Switch Gears! Quit!
Don’t get caught in the trap of “Winners Never Quit”. Don’t try to push through just because you’ve “committed.”
You are not a loser if you quit.
Real winners know WHEN to quit. They have the guts to quit.
Seth Godin said it best:
“Winners quit all the time. They just quit the right stuff at the right time.”
With love,
Miss T.
Mindful Miss T. 