Written By: Kimberly DeShields-Spencer
We all see dozens of quotes and post about never giving up, don’t quit, only quitters lose, etc. However, one of the best things I have ever mastered was the art of strategic quitting. Developing this habit has allowed me to stay un-cluttered when it comes to making moves in my business. Learning when to quit something and when to stick to something allows you to create true forward movement.
To succeed, to get to that light at the end of the tunnel, you’ve got to make some sort of forward progress, no matter what that step looks like. Too often, we get stuck in a situation where quitting seems too painful, so we just stay with it, choosing not to quit because it’s easier than quitting. That choice – to stick with it in the absence of forward progress - is a waste. It’s a waste because of the opportunity it costs – you could be doing something far better and far more pleasurable with your time.
I see this happen a lot when someone doesn’t want to let go of a program, a service, a partnership or even their business. You stay in a situation that you should have left a long time ago. As time progresses, you are mad at yourself, the situation, and it starts to affect various area of your life. Is it worth it? No, not at all!
Many years ago, I had to make a huge decision that no one around me at the time understood. I had built a nice professional speaker management agency. I had become successful in what I was doing yet I was miserable. I had to close my speaker business because I knew I was holding onto something that had become unhealthy for me. Was it a hard decision? Yes! Was it a necessary decision? Yes!
Examine your business and ask yourself what do I need to quit? Am I holding onto anything that is not generating sales, referrals or any measure of business growth? Am I holding onto a partnership that is not fruitful or needed now? Strategically quitting moves you forward.
There is so much value in quitting certain behaviors, triggers and distractions. Let’s look at what you can quit today:
You can quit making excuses for not showing up in your business.
You can quit making excuses for why you could not make those follow up calls.
You can quit making excuses for not implementing what you learned at the training.
You can quit making excuses for not attending networking events.
You can quit making excuses for not pursuing speaking opportunities.
You can quit making excuses about not being able to afford investing in yourself.
You can quit making excuses about what you are/are not qualified for.
You can quit making excuses about other people’s behaviors that are affecting your business.
You can quit making excuses about not joining a mastermind group.
You can quit making excuses about the lack of support you perceive you have.
You can quit making excuses about not having enough time to complete your product.
You can quit making excuses for not scheduling lunch meetings with potential clients.
You can quit making excuses for not taking action on the talents and gifts you have been blessed with.
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