Why I'm Proud To Call Myself A Quitter

Quitting is usually looked at as a bad thing. No one wants to be labeled a "quitter." We all want to be known as that person who always battled to see things through until the end. But there's a small problem with this idea ...

Sometimes quitting a good thing.

Actually, sometimes quitting is really good thing.

I'm a quitter. I have no problems with quitting. In fact, I'm constantly looking for things to quit in my life. Because quitting is making my life better. Quitting filters out the things in my life that are stopping me from growing and developing as a person.

Now, let me explain exactly what I mean before you get all riled up.

The dictionary definition of quitting is to "stop or discontinue (an action or activity).” So clearly this means that quitting doesn't always have to be a bad thing. You can, and should, "stop or discontinue" anything in your life that isn't serving a specific and positive purpose.

Below are a few things I've quit in my own life. Take a look, and maybe you'll realize becoming a quitter will help you out too.

1. Poor relationships

I'm not just talking about "she-could-be-my-future-wife" kind of relationships. I'm talking about all of your relationships. The ones with your neighbor, best friend, coworker and golf buddy. Those relationships are just as important.

I don't really believe that any aspect of our life stagnates. You're either growing and taking positive steps forward in life, or you're taking steps away from your goals.

The same is true of your relationships with people. Those relationships are either helping you grow, or they're preventing your growth.

Not only should you keep the positive relationships in your life, but you should actively seek more of them.

But the relationships that are holding you back? Quit them as fast as you can. You've heard the saying that you're the sum of the five people you spend the most time with? Well, if your five closest people are all detrimental to your success, it's time to find a new five.

2. A lackluster career

Many careers play out in this way. Wake up, go to work, be there for eight, ten, sometimes 12 hours, come home, go to sleep, and do it all over again.

If you love your career, then this may not be a problem. You probably love spending your time at work because you're really passionate about what you're doing. But for some, the 40-hour work week is a life sucking, happiness draining, smile erasing nightmare. If that sounds like yours, then you should quit.

Note: I'm not suggesting that you ignore your financial responsibilities. But I am suggesting that if your job is just that, a job, then you need to start crafting an exit plan. Figure out how you can move into a career that you can get passionate about. A line of work that makes you feel whole.

3. Bad habits

We all have bad habits that we struggle with, but you really only have two choices. You can either accept that your bad habits are here to stay and that you're utterly helpless in changing them, or you can realize that you're in control of your life and your habits and that the only way those bad habits are going to go away is if you make them.

Bad habits stunt your growth and achievement faster than anything else. Even if you surround yourself with the right people, if your life is filled with self-sabotaging habits, the people around don't matter as much. So it starts here, with developing and growing yourself.

Take stock of all the bad habits you have right now, and one by one, start quitting them. It takes time to change a habit, but it can be done. It must be done if you want to really know what it's like to live a successful life.

4. Fear of failing

We're all afraid of something. I have my fears, too. But when those fears start preventing you from taking the action necessary to achieve your goals, you've got a problem.