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This blog post is inspired by the clever little book “The Dip” written by one of the most popular business bloggers in the world, Seth Godin. Throughout our development we have been taught that quitting is never an option and in order to succeed we must persevere through all obstacles. All though this is a very motivating sentiment, The Dip, discusses how this outlook has clouded our ability to decipher the appropriate time to quit. I am sure many of you out there are nodding your head thinking about how you ended up where you are, and why you haven’t quit that job you hate. Don’t feel bad as it is only natural after a lifetime of hearing sentiments like the one from Vince Lombardi that states, “Quitters never win and winners never quit.” In The Dip, Seth tries to shed light on the reality that winners quit all of the time, they just quit the right stuff at the right time.
If you are like me and struggle to quit even the silliest obstacles this is a book you should read. Before making the decision to quit here are a few questions you should ask yourself to make sure you are quitting the right stuff at the right time.
1. Am I Panicking?
Quitting and panicking are to different emotions that you must sort out before making a decision. Quitting when you are panicked often leads to dangerous and expensive outcomes. The “best” quitters decide in advance when they are going to quit, so take time to calm your nerves before you make a decision.
2. Who am I trying to influence?
If you are considering quitting it is clear that in some aspect you are not satisfied with your current ability to influence. When it comes to influence the appropriate time to throw in the towel changes based on who or what you are trying to influence. For example if you are trying to influence one person you should consider quitting after 7 times of failing, however, if you are attempting to influence an entire market, your must stick in there for a longer haul. When influencing a group such as an entire market set smaller measures of success to determine if your efforts are worthwhile.
3. What sort of measurable progress am I making?
There are only three choices when it comes to making progress: falling behind, moving forward, or standing still. In order to succeed you must be making some forward progress, no matter how small. Being conscious of forward progress is the key to knowing when to stick and when to quit. Test this out by setting small goals for yourself and see if you are moving toward them. If you are falling behind or are at a stand still ask yourself why you are sticking.
I hope these questions will help you navigate the unclear line between when to be a quitter and when to persevere. For more detailed information check out Seth Godin’s book “The Dip.”
The Savvy Grad would love to hear your questions and comments. Feel free to leave a comment below or e-mail The SavvyGrad@me.com
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