The best of Morning Musely: Is it time you quit?
Asking yourself one of 2 questions could determine your answer.
I’ve resigned from 4 jobs but only quit 3 times.
How?
More on that later.
First, a sporting reference.
But wait, you say. Two posts about sport in one week?!! We tolerated the cricket post on Tuesday (which wasn’t actually about Cricket) and now you’re making us tolerate AFL?!!
So let me start with the obligatory topical-news-story-related-hook and then pivot from there.
Earlier this week one the AFL’s most successful coaches John Longmire, suddenly quit as Head Coach of the Sydney Swans.
After taking the Swans to 5 Grand Finals, including last year, it probably looks like an odd time for him to go.
But it makes complete sense to him. He knew the time was right because he was mentally and emotionally drained.
The thing about Quitting is you gotta know what to quit and when.
In Inc.com, I read a fascinating article by Juan Fernandez - a former professional athlete and now life coach.
He talked about the art of Strategic quitting.
He writes:
“It’s often the case that taking on something new requires ending something else, suggesting a two-way relationship between quitting and starting”.
“In his book, Happy Sexy Millionaire: Unexpected Truths about Fulfillment, Love, and Success, Bartlett proposes an interesting framework for quitting, starting with the key question: “Are you thinking about quitting?”
This inquiry leads to two possible pathways:
Are you thinking about quitting because what you’re doing is too difficult?
Are you thinking about quitting because what you’re doing sucks, both mentally and emotionally?
In the first scenario, one must consider whether the hardships are justified by the potential rewards on offer. If the efforts don’t match the potential rewards, then it might be time to let go. As Bartlett puts it, “Working toward something both difficult and meaningless is the worst thing you could do.”
On the other hand, if the situation is draining you mentally and emotionally, ask yourself if and how you can make it less stressful. If there’s no viable solution in the foreseeable future, or if the efforts required don’t seem to justify the rewards, moving on might be the best course of action.
Quitting is an art, a skill that requires as much courage and thought as starting anew. To take on a new journey, one must first have the character and determination to leave the current path. It’s a decision that comes with its fair share of challenges and uncertainties, but one that also opens the door for the pursuit (and potential achievement) of everything you’ve ever wanted.”
In my case, I’ve resigned from 4 jobs, but only quit 3.
3 times out of 4 I quit for the right reasons.
But on 1 occasion I quit because what I was doing was too difficult.
I had a toxic boss who was a complete fuckwit. He told the powers that be what they wanted to hear, while making decisions that were completely self-serving. Plus I had uncovered some dodgy things he was up to.
So instead of dealing with it, I resigned.
On the surface that made sense, right?
I’d had nothing but amazing managers in that same company for the 10 or so years prior. Why should I put up with this turd?
Then I was talked out of resigning by one of the other amazing managers who was still within the business and was challenged in my thinking. He knew me better than I knew myself and suggested it was the wrong way of dealing with the problem.
I was drained mentally and emotionally working for the bad boss, and could potentially be challenged in a different role under a different boss.
Turns out I stayed at that company for another 3 years. Those amazing 3 years helped set me up in with very different skills and experience that turned into a career I’m still enjoying today.
(I have no idea where the bad boss is now but he didn’t last long. Turns out being an douche came back to bite him #karma).
One of my favourite sayings is from Annie Dillard.
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
Time to ask yourself, how are you spending yours?
It’s okay to quit.
As long as you’re quitting the right thing, and for the right reason.
Have a great day
Wade
“Working toward something both difficult and meaningless is the worst thing you could do.”
Thank you Wade for that interesting article - a little hard for me to understand though!
Not knowing anything about AFL, and living in Japan, I wondered why Longmire resigned - was it for the above reason? Jack in Japan.