Why quitting your job might be your best decision yet
Below, Lindsay Crouse shares five key insights from her new book, The Case for Quitting: The Surprising Benefits of Opting Out . Lindsay is a marathon runner and journalist who worked at The New York Times for 15 years. Her reporting helped bring maternity rights to pregnant Nike athletes. What’s the Big Idea? Quitting isn’t failure. Knowing when to walk away from a goal that no longer serves us…
1. Perseverance is often seen as a positive trait, but too much of it can be counterproductive. Constantly pushing towards unattainable goals can lead to increased frustration and failure. For example, a woman spent a decade and her savings on fertility treatments, only to realize they weren't working. She eventually quit and found happiness again by rebuilding the life she had put on hold.
2. Fear of quitting is often unwarranted. The spotlight effect, a cognitive bias, makes us believe that others are judging our decisions more than they actually are. An actress quit her career because she feared judgment from others, but they were actually supportive of her decision. Additionally, we tend to regret inaction more than action over time.
Quitting can lead to new opportunities, and the longer we wait, the more complex and high-stakes the decision becomes. Continuing to persevere in a failing pursuit only brings more failure.
3. Instead of quitting abruptly, it's better to transition gradually. Research shows that entrepreneurs who maintain their current jobs while building a foundation for a new venture are more likely to succeed than those who quit outright. This approach reduces the risk involved in making a major change. A prime example is Bill Withers, who started his music career while still working a factory job. He discovered his talent for music and eventually left his job, having built a strong foundation for his new career.
4. Women often possess endurance that can become a weakness. Their ability to endure more than men can lead to physical, mental, and social challenges, such as chronic pain, insomnia, and anxiety. While women tend to live longer than men, they often don't live better lives. Women face higher rates of excessive drinking, struggle with mental health issues, and earn less than men.
Motherhood further complicates this issue, as women are more likely to prioritize their children's needs over their own. Should women's ability to endure be celebrated, or is it a burden they must carry?
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
