January 10th, we celebrate the often-overlooked International Quitters Day. But let’s take a fresh perspective: quitting is not always about failure—it can be about clarity, courage, and making space for new beginnings.
🎥 A Scene from a Classic
During the holidays, I rewatched the Estonian film “Suvi”. The film includes a highly instructive scene about giving up:
After a failed venture, Kiir consults his father about what to do next. Father Kiir decisively states:
“Now that we’ve already suffered so much damage, we simply cannot stop halfway.”
This resonates deeply—when we’ve invested time, money, and energy into something, it feels nearly impossible to quit. But should we always push forward at all costs?
The Marathon Analogy 🏃♀️
Imagine you’re running a marathon, knowing the finish line is at 42.195 km. But as you approach it, someone tells you the distance was miscalculated—it’s now 45 km. You might think, “Alright, I’ve come this far, what’s 3 more km?” But what if the distance keeps extending—50 km, 60 km, or more?
The further you go, the harder it becomes to quit, even when the goalpost keeps moving. Why? Because of the effort already invested.
Parallels in Real Life 🌍
This happens in investments, careers, and even large-scale projects. We cling to sunk costs, doubling down on failing strategies instead of stepping back and reassessing. In investments, we might average down on a losing position, hoping for a rebound, instead of cutting losses and starting fresh.
Recognizing when to quit requires strength, clarity, and the ability to let go.
Quitters Day: A Checkpoint, Not a Failure 🚦
Instead of viewing this day as a mark of giving up, see it as a moment to pause and reflect:
✔️ What’s working?
✔️ What’s not?
✔️ What adjustments will move you closer to your goals?
💡 Set realistic goals, maintain a positive mindset, and don’t hesitate to quit what doesn’t serve you. Growth isn’t just in the finish line – it’s in the lessons learned along the way.
If you need help creating clarity and direction, let’s connect.