Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Q is for Quit

I don't believe in quitting ... as a rule, that is.

I believe in finishing what I start, in seeing projects through to the end, and receive great satisfaction from completing a task.

Sometimes, however, quitting isn't quitting--it's saying to yourself, "I'm not going to continue bashing my head against this brick wall."

How do you know the difference between quitting and being smart?

Personally, I think knowing the difference has nothing to do with your own convenience and/or preference and everything to do with logic. As in, what would you advise someone else to do if they were in your shoes.

Typical example involves a relationship that's going nowhere. You like the guy, but not as much as you once did. Stuff is starting to bug you about him, or stuff is coming to light that you didn't realize before. If your best friend were dating this guy and going through what you're going through, what would you think is in her best interest to do?

The scenario changes, however, if you're married to the guy and not simply dating him. At least it does for me.

What's your take on quitting? And not just about relationships, but in general.

2 comments:

  1. I remember listening to Stallone talking about his failed marriages. The interviewer used the word "failed". Stallone came back with the argument that in his book, if he realised that the relationship wasn't working and he did what he thought was the right thing - where was the failure in that?

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  2. @ Michael: Personally, I have a problem with society's persepction of failure. Technically, "failure" means you didn't achieve a desired outcome; it doesn't mean life is over and you need to throw yourself off a bridge.

    Failure is a stepping stone to something else. And yes, if something isn't working, you need to step away and move on.

    Marriage, and other commitments, are very important. But should a person stick with something to avoid the word "failure?" I don't think so.

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