The Courage to Quit: Five Things You Can do When You're Ready For Something New
Quitting is never easy. It's one of the most challenging things we can do. Whether it's a job, a romantic relationship or friendship, or a project we decided not to pursue. Whatever it is, quitting is hard. Not only because we have to let go of something but also because we have to face our fears.
That's why most of us overthink it and try to find excuses not to do it, even when we know in our guts that we should. This is especially true when we feel responsible, don't want to hurt anyone, or care about what other people think of us. But even if quitting requires courage, it doesn't mean you should hold off from doing it. When you're ready for something new, it's often the only thing you can think about until - guess what? - you finally do something about it!
That, to me, is the telltale sign that it's time for a change. In this article, I share five things that have helped me find the courage to make bold moves in my life and work and how I believe you can, too.
Why do we overthink?
When we overthink, we often try to silence our intuition instead of listening to it. Our gut tells us what something is right for us way before our mind does, but we don't always trust it. We second-guess ourselves and wonder if we're making the right decision. This is because we're afraid of the unknown and failure. But what if we looked at quitting in a different light? What if, instead of seeing it as a sign of weakness, we saw it as an act of courage?
We overthink because our minds are trying to figure something out that only time will tell. We want absolute certainty before taking a step forward, but life rarely works out that way. The more we try to control things, the more we realize that we can't. That's precisely why we need to have faith and trust our gut.
If you're considering quitting something, here are five things you can do:
Take time for yourself. This is probably the most important thing you can do. When we're ready for something new, we often feel we have to make a decision immediately. But it's essential to take some time for yourself first. Ask yourself why you want to quit and what you hope to gain from it. What are your fears, and how can you face them? Taking the time to think about your decision will help you make a more informed choice. The sense of urgency often makes the decision harder to take. When you take that pressure away, you might find the decision relatively easy.
Talk to people who have done it before. If you know anyone who has gone through a similar experience, talk to them about it. Ask them how they made the decision and what the process was like. Hearing other people's stories will help normalize your own experience and make it feel less daunting. Everyone quits sometimes, and most people feel some level of fear when they do. Don't be afraid to reach out for support. The more stories you hear from others and how they've done it, the easier it will be for you to choose a different path for yourself.
Confide in someone you trust. When facing a tough decision, it's often helpful to talk to someone you feel safe with enough to share what is going on with you. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or coach. Talking about our fears and concerns can help us gain clarity and perspective. It can also help us feel less alone in our decision-making process. Another reason why it's important to share what you're going through is we're often standing too close to our problems to see our options. Having someone listen and reflect back to us what they heard can help us see things in a new light.
Get rid of perfectionism. One of the main reasons we don't quit is because we're afraid of not doing it perfectly. We think we have to have everything figured out before we make a move, but that's rarely the case. Often, the best way to learn is by doing. So instead of waiting for things to be perfect, take imperfect action and trust that you'll figure it out along the way. Moving forward without knowing all the steps in advance allows you to be flexible as you progress into this new chapter of your life, which is always important.
Find an ounce of clarity. The first thing you can do is get some clarity about the thing you want. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's often the most challenging part. We can be so caught up in our current situation that we can't see what else is out there. When you're ready to quit, take some time to think about what you want. What are your goals? What would make you happy? Visualize what your life will look like once you've decided and finally quit what isn't working for you anymore. Once you have at least a little bit of understanding of what you want, it will be easier to take the following steps.
Finally, and this is what helps me the most when I've decided to quit something, make a conscious decision to step into this new chapter of your life. Making a significant change is never easy, and it doesn't happen overnight, but by actively deciding to change your life, you're setting yourself up for success. So take a deep breath, trust your gut and go for it! In the end, you're the one that needs to do it.
I hope these tips will help you find the courage to make a change in your life. If you're feeling stuck, remember that you're not alone, and there is always a way out. Change is scary, but it's also exciting and full of possibilities. So leap and see what happens! You might surprise yourself.
Feeling lost and uncertain about your next steps?
Private coaching is a great way to gain clarity on what you should do next in your life or career. I can help you assess whether or not it's time for a change and give you the tools necessary to make that change happen.
If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated, coaching can provide the support, accountability, and guidance you need to make lasting changes in your life and work.
