Quitting: it's easier said than done

We’ve all heard the phrase that’s easier said than done, but I have found an exception to this well-known saying. That exception is quitting. It’s certainly not easier said than done. In fact, it’s very hard to say and really mean it.

I believe “I quit” has to be two of the hardest words to say in the English language. But why are those two little words so hard? To quit is defined as “to stop, cease or discontinue.”

But the more commonly accepted definition of quitting is to accept defeat; stop trying; and admit that you are a failure. Something all of us have a hard time accepting. No one wants to admit they’ve been defeated and there is something or someone better than them – that they are simply put, a failure.

I don’t see quitting as synonymous with failure though. I see it as the normal succession of life. As one stage of our life ends, another begins. When I was in eighth grade, I “quit” track to focus on softball. I “quit” a waitressing job to get experience in my future career. These were all normal progressions in life. We can’t do everything as much as we’d life to.

Regardless, when I quit track, I felt like a failure. I wasn’t fast enough. I couldn’t jump high enough. I couldn’t throw the shot put far enough. When I quit waitressing, I couldn’t handle the pressure. I wasn’t friendly enough. I wasn’t organized enough.

When I quit writing in my blog, I didn’t say anything. I just did it. In fact, I didn’t even really think about it. I would run into a few people here and there who would ask me why I hadn’t posted and I’d respond by saying I was too busy. Because isn’t that always our excuse? Too busy to hit the gym. Too busy to read that book. Too busy to call an old friend. But the truth of the matter is I’m not too busy. Too lazy, maybe; but not too busy.

So, my old blog friends, I think it’s time that I quit quitting and start blogging. Because they say Quitters never prosper and I do love a little prosperity!