The Hidden Benefits of Quitting

Growing up, we’re taught that quitting is bad, and that we have to finish things to the end. We learn to admire those that push through, endure, make sacrifices and work tirelessly toward a goal.

I completely disagree.

In fact, I frequently tell my clients that it’s okay to quit.

Quitting is sometimes the best thing we can do. I’m not referring here to making a rash impulsive decision to quit for good or forever. Rather, I mean giving ourselves permission to quit (really quit) for a day or two. Part of that may also include—which I highly recommend—having a full-on tantrum in which we rebel completely against anything and everything having to do with whatever it is we’re quitting, be it a relationship, a situation, a job, a business etc. Indulging in this behavior can be an incredibly effective and efficient way to clear out lots of emotional debris that’s standing in the way of inspiration and passion.

If we keep our pent-up frustration and anger under the surface we risk burnout and the very real possibility that we’ll be pushed so far to the edge that we’ll actually quit. Much better to simply allow the feelings to surface in the midst of a time out until the feeling pass.

I’ve done this a number of times, and it has always served me well. Typically, the need to quit comes when I have deprived myself of any real nurturing or downtime and my energy is completely depleted. Of course, I shouldn’t wait this long to take care of myself, but self-neglect is a common occurrence in our busy, chaotic lives, and thus there is sometime a need to quit.

The beauty of quitting is that when the tantrum passes, we can see the relationship, situation, job or business from a calm and clear perspective, and then we’re free to either choose to continue what we were doing before or to do something entirely different. Often, after a period of rebellion, I’m happy to re-choose the path I was on before. It feels empowering to choose it again consciously, rather than to just keep plodding along on automatic pilot. Sometimes, I come out the other side realizing that I need to make some big changes in one or more areas of my life.

In addition, it can be revitalizing to step back and assess whether or not we’re truly doing what we’re doing for the right reasons. We benefit ,and everyone around us benefits ,when we’re authentically choosing what we’re doing. If we discover we no longer like it or want to do it, then we can decide to choose something else. 

So the next time the walls are closing in and it all feels too much, take a time out and just quit.

Clear your schedule.

Take as long as you need.

Get in bed.

Watch movies.

Hang out with forgotten friends.

Get a massage.

Go out on the town.

Do whatever your inspired to do as long as you fully quit.

Trust me, it probably won’t last as long as you think, and it will be well worth it when you discover how refreshed you feel when you return.

In fact, you may even wonder what all the fuss was about.