That quitting has a negative connotation is spot on, thanks in no small measure to popular and mainstream media. It is also a reflection of the times. Our parents grew up in single-job careers. They had probably 10% of the jobs (= options) available today. Quitting at a time of scarcity didn't seem like a good strategy. Times have changed and this old belief in persistence is counterproductive. The metric I try and think of is opportunity cost. What am I giving up by sticking on?
The other contextual thing is there's a difference between quitting a cause and a means to that cause. If we believe in a vision, quitting involves leaving one means to it for another, possibly better one. If we're unsure about what truly moves us, it makes sense to quit not just the means but the end should we discover it does not and cannot energize us.
Very well written. I have been playing this concept over and over in my head for the last 2 decades. It makes so much more sense now. Thank you.
That quitting has a negative connotation is spot on, thanks in no small measure to popular and mainstream media. It is also a reflection of the times. Our parents grew up in single-job careers. They had probably 10% of the jobs (= options) available today. Quitting at a time of scarcity didn't seem like a good strategy. Times have changed and this old belief in persistence is counterproductive. The metric I try and think of is opportunity cost. What am I giving up by sticking on?
The other contextual thing is there's a difference between quitting a cause and a means to that cause. If we believe in a vision, quitting involves leaving one means to it for another, possibly better one. If we're unsure about what truly moves us, it makes sense to quit not just the means but the end should we discover it does not and cannot energize us.
Lovely post, thanks.