%% date:: [[2024-01-20]] parent:: %% # [[Optimal quitting]] Optimal quitting is the concept of giving up a course of action at just the right time, before it becomes unsustainable or detrimental. ![[the-optimal-quitting-curve.png]] ## Why is it hard to quit optimally? ### We're socialised to reward perseverance ### Quitting on time feels like quitting too early ## Optimal quitting in different contexts In [[Economics]], the period of optimal quitting occurs just before the [[Opportunity Cost]] of the action equals its benefit. In [[Continuous Reliability]], optimal quitting can be used to determine how much to [[Performance Testing|performance tune]] a system or explain why [[Exhaustive testing is impossible and impractical]]. In [[Relationships]], optimal quitting is about recognising the right time to [[Separation|end a relationship]].