Winners know when to quit

Mohammad Shaddad
3 min readDec 12, 2022

Would you sit through and watch the whole 5 seasons of a bad show just because you watched the first 3 episodes?

In today’s world, we are constantly bombarded with messages telling us to never give up and to push through any obstacle that comes our way. We are told that failure is not an option, and that with enough determination and hard work, we can achieve anything we set our minds to.

While this may be true in some cases, there are also times when it is important to know when to quit and let go of things that are not working out. This can be a difficult decision to make, but it is a crucial skill to develop in order to be successful and happy in life.

One of the main reasons why it is important to know when to quit is that it can save you a lot of time, effort, and resources. Persisting with something that is not working out can be a huge drain on your energy, and it can prevent you from focusing on more productive or rewarding activities. By quitting when necessary, you can free yourself from unproductive or unhealthy situations and open the door to new possibilities.

Another reason why it is important to know when to quit is that it can help you to be more honest with yourself and to assess the situation objectively. When we are invested in something, it can be tempting to overlook its flaws or to make excuses for why it is not working out. By quitting when necessary, you can be honest with yourself and acknowledge that something is not right, and that it is better to move on than to persist with something that is not bringing you joy, fulfillment, or success.

So, how can you know when to quit and when to persist? One way to make this decision is to ask yourself if the time, effort, and resources you are putting into something are worth the potential outcome. If you have been working on something for a long time, and it is still not producing the results you want, it may be time to reassess the situation and consider your options.

Another way to make this decision is to trust your gut and listen to your heart. Sometimes, our instincts can tell us when something is not right, and when it is time to move on. By paying attention to your feelings and following your heart, you can make better decisions and avoid wasting time on things that are not bringing you joy or fulfillment.

Knowing when to quit and when to persist is a crucial skill to develop in order to be successful and happy in life. It can save you time, effort, and resources, and it can help you to be honest with yourself and to assess the situation objectively. By learning to quit when necessary, you can free yourself from unproductive or unhealthy situations and open the door to new possibilities. So next time you are faced with a challenging situation, remember to trust your gut, listen to your heart, and be willing to let go of things that are not bringing you joy, fulfillment, or success.

This podcast and book inspired me to write this

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Mohammad Shaddad

A Jordanian foodie and a Geek! Into technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.