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On the 13th of May 2023, Loughborough University’s annual Leadership Conference delved into the complex theme of quitting and the circumstances under which it can be a positive choice. It was a full day of workshops, talks, and networking opportunities with external trainers, businesses, alumni, and experts. I had the great pleasure of speaking on the Grit or Quit panel, and it was such a blast. We dived deep into the topic of quitting – not as a negative thing, but as a positive choice. It was a pretty insightful discussion, here are the main takeaways:
The Art of Quitting:
Quitting is more than okay; sometimes, it’s the right thing to do. Trust your gut, my friend. When a job becomes a joyless routine, it might be time to rethink.
Knowing When to Quit:
Ever pondered if you should have quit something sooner? I’ve asked myself this four times, striving for the top in various roles – rider, artist, business developer, and now, an entrepreneur. Lesson learned: Giving yourself a new identity provides structure, but the real magic happens when you listen to yourself and enjoy the process.
Times I Almost Quit:
Full disclosure, I have considered quitting being my own boss, more than once. I realised entrepreneurship isn’t always a beach bar dream. It’s about mastering your mindset and avoiding toxic hustle culture. You will constantly need to reframe why you’ve chosen this path, what freedom truly means to you. Expect daily dealings with your saboteurs within, and the need for innovation to turn your business into something fun and enjoyable you will want to keep doing.
Top Tips for Perseverance:
When times get tough, remember: “Don’t eat the whole elephant.” Break down challenges, prioritise self-care, sleep well, nourish yourself, and find solid inspiration. Life challenges us to make the hard things more doable. My resilience tool kit is a morning routine, working on my mental fitness, and affirming my abilities from positive feedback – these are the rock solid foundations you need to overcome any challenge.
Conclusion:
Quitting doesn’t mean failure. It’s a pivot toward growth and happiness. Trust your journey, saver every challenge, and don’t hesitate to change course when needed. In my opinion, the only true failure is giving up on your dreams.
To your success!