It happens to me several times a day. I want to quit. Just today, I wanted to quit finishing this blog post I was writing for The Art of Blogging.
Wanted to half-ass some of the exercises I had to do at the gym.
There is always something that demands me to be weak. This is just the nature of life. The temptation to quit is a recurring theme.
But, you see, the voices that tell you to take it easy on yourself are not aware of the fact that the dream is free. The hustle, on the other hand, is sold separately. Everything you truly want requires work. Hard work. An incredible amount of hard work.
What keeps me going is answering this question, “Why am I doing this?”
Most people quit because they don’t know how to answer this inevitable question that has brought many we will never know about to their knees.
When you are on the treadmill, sweating it out, and you want to quit, and you can’t remember you’re doing this because you want to lose weight, look good, be healthier, then you’re pretty much screwed.
Because the next step is to quit.
Here are some of the things that help me keep going when I want to throw in the towel:
- Make a list. Why do I want what I want? Why do I write? Why do I go to the gym? Why do I wake up every single day at 4:30 AM?
- The cookie jar. This is something David Goggins talks about. The cookie jar is basically a list of your achievements. What are you most proud of? What are some of the punches that life threw at you, but you still managed to survive? Don’t use them to feel good about yourself, but rather use them to keep going when you want to quit.
- Do it anyway. I know, it sounds like the most ridiculous advice ever, but force yourself to do it. Even if it sucks, even if you have to do it again after that, force yourself to get the job done.
- Exercise. Especially if it’s some cardio. Helps you think about what it is that you want to do, what needs to be done.
- Meditate. Sometimes we react emotionally (and make permanent decisions) to what could easily be fixed by spending 10 minutes to calm ourselves down.
- Listen to some music. This could very well set change your mood. Do not underestimate the power of music.
- Talk about it. Got a significant other, best friend, family member, co-worker you can talk to? If not, go online and read about folks who’ve been through the same struggles and kept going. Talking about your desire to quit can often be just what you need in order to figure out that you must keep pressing on. A moment of temporary weakness cannot outweigh the regret caused by quitting. Pain is temporary, regret permanent.
In what areas of your life are you tempted to quit? Why are you going to keep going? What is at stake?
Thanks for sharing your tips! Taking walks and immersing myself in nature helps me get my mind off of what I have to do momentarily so that I can get refreshed and come back ready to tackle the task! Sometimes I just get too overwhelmed and it paralyzes me from doing anything, so taking space away helps me a lot!
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I think it does. Most people never learn to take a break, so they quit instead.
In the words of Eric Thomas, rest if you must, but never quit.
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Good thoughts.
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… I agree Queenie, and remember it takes a little while for the walk itself to become meaningful… as the mind clutter is extinguished and replaced by natures harmony. Just a thought?
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Yes. Sometimes, we forget our purpose for doing what we do, so we must remind ourselves of its importance. It was important when we began it, and we perhaps dedicated ourselves to it as a life-long profession, so why not continue it?
I like this quote I heard from a video game:
“There’s a fine line between consideration and hesitation. The former is wisdom. The latter is fear.”
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That’s a great line.
We often rationalize our fears, try to disguise them.
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I don’t quit because I am just stubborn. I never quit anything. 25 years I am working out. The army taught me not to quit that your body is stronger than you think and mind too
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Great post and I am sure touches a nerve in most of us daily. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you!
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Consuming art, whether it be music or movies, is really inspiring to me. Exercise has also been proving to get the blood pumping to the brain and improve thinking. Great stuff as always Cristian.
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Once a Marine, always a Marine. That’s what they told us on active duty, and that’s what keeps me going sometimes. I remind myself of the high standards to which I was once held, and force myself to meet them.
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Action is closer to life
Sedentary closer to death
No matter what age or condition we find ourselves
When my mind was frozen from complex PTSD exploding, it could not stop my legs from moving
Strenuous aerobic exercise let’s the mind share it’s energy, it’s accomplishment and willpower
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i lead a large fb group, they argue like children. i often want to close it down. and then a pearl of wisdom shows up, and i keep going. many people would be sad if i closed it down. meah, one day i might just do that!😄
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Thanks for sharing. What you wrote was super cool ! Have a blessed day!
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Thank you!
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Great list. I’m learning, You make me want to read more. Thanks Cristian.
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Reblogged this on Claire Plaisted – Indie Author and commented:
Don’t QUIT…Read this
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great post!! thanks for sharing!
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Thank you, Katie!
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Good advice. Exercise works for me or getting online to read bloggers who may have been through similar times.
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“There is always something that demands me to be weak.” What a powerful line. And totally how I feel a lot of the time. I recently felt like quitting the writing game. I am tired of trying to find my way. I’m hanging in there, though. Thanks for the inspiration.
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Thank you for taking the time to read and comment!
I am glad this post of mine inspired you.
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