The Art of Quitting: Knowing When to Walk Away

Daily writing prompt
Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.

“Winners quit fast, quit often, and quit without guilt”
― Seth Godin, The Dip


Knowing when to quit.

I’ll never forget stumbling across Seth Godin’s book, The Dip, and hitting a line that stopped me cold: “Some of the most successful people are the best quitters.” My brain did a double-take. Growing up with immigrant parents who built something from nothing, I was raised on a steady diet of “never quit” mantras. Quitters don’t prosper, they’d say. That mindset fueled a lot of my wins in life, no question. But looking back, I can pinpoint moments where sticking it out too long was the real mistake—relationships that dragged on, business ventures that were sinking ships, clients who weren’t worth the headache. Some I should’ve quit sooner; others ended up quitting me.

Godin’s words flipped a switch. Quitting isn’t always failure—it’s strategy. The trick is knowing when to walk away. There’s a fine line, though. You hear those stories of people who bailed right before the big payoff, and you wonder, “What if they’d held on?” So, yeah, it’s a balancing act. How much effort is enough? When do you stay the course, and when do you cut your losses? I’ve learned that quitting doesn’t mean you’re weak or a loser. It’s about trusting your gut and being okay with not getting it right every time.

Embracing that has made me a better decision-maker. It’s freed me to let go when it’s time, without the guilt trip. And honestly? It’s kind of liberating to realize that sometimes, the best move is to just say, “I’m out.”


10 responses to “The Art of Quitting: Knowing When to Walk Away”

  1. Yes, there is a time just When to Stop doing things that you’ve done so long. Not the same cliche as ‘quit when you’re ahead or winning’. It is the right moment to be a realist and leave-and not look back.

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  2. CJ Antichow Avatar
    CJ Antichow

    So true!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. “It’s about trusting your gut and being okay with not getting it right every time.” This really resonates and this is something I try to remember I have learned 😊

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  4. Amen and Amen! Learning the same lesson all the way over here. LolI have not made it to the embracing part yet, still a little scared but working on it. Wonderful post W with a great message. Bravo

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    1. Thanks JAM!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I have to agree. I have a rule, if I try something three times, and it/or me continues to fail, I’m out. I have a pretty good on and off switch though too, so that helps in most instances.

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    1. I’m working on my on and off switch all the time. Thanks for stopping by.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. It only took me 63 years to perfect it……

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  6. Love love love this. Coincidentally I decided to quit trying and failing to maintain employment and accept that as a schizophrenic with OCD, I qualify for and need disability assistance today. I have been driving myself into the ground trying to function with complete insanity going on in my head in the workplace. It never works. I’m ready to be humble now and just accept the help. This post hit home.

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