# When Quitting Makes Perfect Sense  URL:: https://walton.uark.edu/insights/posts/when-quitting-makes-perfect-sense.php Author:: uark.edu ## Highlights > On the one end, in the space occupied by what some consider the old guard, is the “never, ever, ever, ever quit” approach to life. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hmkg6vd0swrdjmt8k41n61dg)) > On the other end, in the space occupied by what some consider the modern generations, is the “follow your heart” approach to life. It’s not that they considered quitting good or noble, but, as [Buffy the Vampire Slayer](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0533461/) once told her friend Willow, “I mean, you know, you have to follow your heart … that’s what’s important, Will.” This approach says that it’s OK, even noble, to quit when you dread going to work, when you stop learning, when you stop feeling useful or appreciated, when, well, when you aren’t happy. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hmkg777zn492tbkt2gtejv31)) > Both ideas have merit, **but neither option, when taken to the extremes, works out very well**. If you stick to a job (or a major) that you hate purely out of a stubborn commitment to “never quit,” you invite misery. Or if you stick to a career path that doesn’t suit you – like my dream of playing in the NFL – then you’ll fall short of your potential in life.  > Likewise, if you follow your feelings and continually change course at the slightest sign of adversity, you don’t accomplish much and you learn even less. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hmkg7f7ty3tv2xrbbev6qhta)) > Why not quit *before* you dread going to work? Why not pivot in your academic or work career *before* wasting time climbing the wrong ladder toward an unattainable goal? ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hmkg7ty6ywfxwtm5p2v1dpex)) > Optimal quitting is all about **knowing when to give up**, and it applies to all parts of business, not just individuals who face challenges with a difficult task or who are unhappy in their careers. Many leaders (as individuals and as teams), for instance, stubbornly stick to a strategy or plan even though it isn’t working. Or they keep an employee around who should be fired because they don’t want to “quit” on that person (or admit they made a hiring error). > The idea that you should never quit, List said, is deeply ingrained in society, and, he said, “That’s society’s fault.” But most people, he said, fail to recognize the opportunity cost of time when they wait too long before making a needed change. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hmkg8mzt3nw2qyr6exawdham)) --- Title: When Quitting Makes Perfect Sense Author: uark.edu Tags: readwise, articles date: 2024-01-30 --- # When Quitting Makes Perfect Sense  URL:: https://walton.uark.edu/insights/posts/when-quitting-makes-perfect-sense.php Author:: uark.edu ## AI-Generated Summary The article discusses the concept of "optimal quitting" and the importance of knowing when to give up in various aspects of life and business. It highlights the two extremes on the quitting continuum: the "never quit" approach and the "follow your heart" approach. The author argues that neither extreme is effective, as sticking to something you hate or constantly changing course both have negative consequences. Instead, the article suggests considering the opportunity cost of time and making analytical decisions about when it is the optimal time to quit and pursue new opportunities. ## Highlights > On the one end, in the space occupied by what some consider the old guard, is the “never, ever, ever, ever quit” approach to life. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hmkg6vd0swrdjmt8k41n61dg)) > On the other end, in the space occupied by what some consider the modern generations, is the “follow your heart” approach to life. It’s not that they considered quitting good or noble, but, as [Buffy the Vampire Slayer](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0533461/) once told her friend Willow, “I mean, you know, you have to follow your heart … that’s what’s important, Will.” This approach says that it’s OK, even noble, to quit when you dread going to work, when you stop learning, when you stop feeling useful or appreciated, when, well, when you aren’t happy. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hmkg777zn492tbkt2gtejv31)) > Both ideas have merit, **but neither option, when taken to the extremes, works out very well**. If you stick to a job (or a major) that you hate purely out of a stubborn commitment to “never quit,” you invite misery. Or if you stick to a career path that doesn’t suit you – like my dream of playing in the NFL – then you’ll fall short of your potential in life.  > Likewise, if you follow your feelings and continually change course at the slightest sign of adversity, you don’t accomplish much and you learn even less. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hmkg7f7ty3tv2xrbbev6qhta)) > Why not quit *before* you dread going to work? Why not pivot in your academic or work career *before* wasting time climbing the wrong ladder toward an unattainable goal? ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hmkg7ty6ywfxwtm5p2v1dpex)) > Optimal quitting is all about **knowing when to give up**, and it applies to all parts of business, not just individuals who face challenges with a difficult task or who are unhappy in their careers. Many leaders (as individuals and as teams), for instance, stubbornly stick to a strategy or plan even though it isn’t working. Or they keep an employee around who should be fired because they don’t want to “quit” on that person (or admit they made a hiring error). > The idea that you should never quit, List said, is deeply ingrained in society, and, he said, “That’s society’s fault.” But most people, he said, fail to recognize the opportunity cost of time when they wait too long before making a needed change. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hmkg8mzt3nw2qyr6exawdham))