The Cost Of Quitting Too Soon
Each one of us has given up at some point, there are no exceptions. If you are one of those people, one day you will also give up.
As a child, I wanted to play numerous sports, including football, boxing, swimming, and even going to the gym. As time went by and I realised that this might not be my destiny, I decided to give up. At first, I believed it would be possible to achieve my dreams, but my ‘hunger’ to win was not powerful enough.
I didn’t come from a wealthy family. Still, I never went without food on my table, something that certain people, unfortunately, did. With this, there was always a difference between us.
I played for leisure and fun, even though deep down I wanted to make it my profession. I never really played and trained as if it were possible, which led to my giving up.
In my teens, I decided to join the gym after watching motivational videos and due to the influence of a friend. I went for a year straight, with and without him, but at certain times, I became busier, which led to my missing more and more sessions, until I ended up giving up again.
Quitting Costs More Than Failing
Nowadays, I try to finish what I start. If I say I’m going to do something, I have to do it.
Something I learned after these experiences of giving up was that giving up is always more costly than failing, because when we fail, we know what we can improve and how to overcome obstacles, but when we give up, we don’t know if it would really work, because we didn’t see it through to the end. With all our strength.
Why do People Give Up?
There are plenty of reasons for someone to give up: their mindset, their physical and mental health, their financial situation, the fear of commitment, and the fear of taking the risk.
Many people find themselves discouraged by the sight of successful people who seem to achieve their goals effortlessly.
- Instant Gratification: Culture: We live in a world that often emphasizes immediate results, thanks in part to technology and social media. This culture can create unrealistic expectations about what can be achieved in a short period.
- Comparison Trap: Constantly measuring one’s progress against others can lead to a toxic cycle of comparison, where people feel they are not measuring up. This can perpetuate feelings of inadequacy and discourage continued effort. Don’t forget: “comparison is the thief of joy.”
- High Expectations: With social media exploding in videos of successful young people who achieve their dreams in a year, that may lead you to try what you think they did to achieve what they achieved, and then, when you don’t get the same results or even a single one of them, you just decide to give up.
How Can You Overcome The Urge To Give Up?
- Set Clear Goals: Break down your larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes the journey less overwhelming and allows you to celebrate small victories along the way. Every small victory is still a victory.
- Develop a Routine: Consistency can help build momentum. Establish a daily or weekly routine that incorporates time for working on your goals. I also have a post about 5 habits that will improve your mindset, feel free to read it.
- Use the 10-10-10 Rule: Ask yourself how you will feel about this decision in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years. If this makes you think about changing, about seeing it through to the end, then go for it, because it’s better to say you tried and failed than to say you didn’t try.
I recently read a quote that left me thinking: ‘The cost of quitting is carrying a lifetime of wondering.’
What if I had given it my best shot?
What if I hadn’t given up?
What if I had really gone all the way and not given up at the first hurdle?
If these thoughts have ever crossed your mind, then you shouldn’t have given up. Remember, we can learn from failure, but not from giving up.
