Let’s Celebrate Quitting: An Olympic Lesson
I wish that as a society, we celebrated and even encouraged quitting.
Growing up in an Asian household and culture, I internalized the message that we have to work as hard as we can, as persistently as we can, for as long as we can.
But what if it stops bringing us joy at some point? Can we pause and pivot?
I have held high the opinion that meaningful pursuit of a purpose-driven life does not always bring you joy. That happiness is not the goal, and purpose is. When we do things with intention, even those that don’t bring us joy, they lead to results or outcomes that make our lives meaningful.
How many times have you felt exasperated as a parent when your kid doesn’t listen? How many times have you wanted to give up on a healthy eating goal because the chocolate cake is so much better — and who knows if you’re even going to get results? Small steps add up to big results. Delayed instant gratification can yield returns. At some level, we all know this.
So naturally, all my life I have felt that persistence is key. I have professed to my students and mentees that they need to give enough time to a new hobby, a new profession, a new pursuit — and that they shouldn’t quit too soon when things feel harder. There are roadblocks everywhere.
Lately, I have noticed a shift in my thinking. What if — after your best efforts and pursuit of everything you got, plus more — you want to pivot and reinvent yourself?
What if you could say:
- “I gave this career 10+ years. I’ve done my best, but now my passion has shifted. It’s okay to move on and find something new that excites me.”
- “I’ve grown a lot in this role, but I’ve hit a plateau. It’s time to seek new challenges that can help me grow further.”
- “I committed fully to this project, but I feel a strong pull in another direction now. Moving on doesn’t mean failure; it means I’m ready for what’s next.”
- “I believe in persistence, but without passion, it’s draining. It’s okay to quit when staying doesn’t serve my growth or happiness anymore.”
- “I’ve followed the rules and worked within the system, but the system isn’t designed for the changes I want to make. It’s okay to step away and find a place where I have more freedom.”
One lesson the Olympics is teaching me is what a big deal it is just to show up and do your best, especially when the world is watching. Forget winning. Winning is overrated.
Athletes who retire or step away, for instance, aren’t quitting. They have given their best and are perhaps at their peak. They are shifting their focus. Or they’re sometimes recognizing that the system they’ve worked within no longer serves their growth or well-being.
It takes courage to realize when it’s time to move on, just as much as it does to compete on that stage in the first place. Quitting is an aspiration.
