Taking the easy road is nice for a while, but for talented, motivated
people it isn’t enough. To find satisfaction you’ll need to set
ambitious goals, solve challenging problems, and develop strengths you may not know you have.
Although the hard road is more fulfilling, it isn’t all champagne and
victory laps. There will be times when you feel beaten and depressed —
times when quitting looks like the best option. There is no formula for
dealing with hard times, but these 8 steps will help you understand your
predicament and determine the best course of action.
1. Take a Break
One reason we get down ourselves is fatigue. When you’re tired
everything is harder. Working your tail off for extended periods will
wear you down if you aren’t careful. You’ll also get bored. Fatigue and
boredom combine to cause burnout — one of the biggest reasons people
quit. When faced with burnout, the best thing to do is take a break. Cut
yourself off completely. Do absolutely nothing for a day or two. What’s
the worst that could happen? By allowing yourself to recover you’ll be
more productive in the long run.
2. Step Back
Sometimes we get so absorbed in our own sphere that we develop a
distorted picture of reality. When you feel like giving up, there’s a
good chance that a) things aren’t nearly as bad as they seem, and b)
there’s a simple solution that you’re overlooking. When things seem
bleak, distance yourself from the situation to gain an accurate
perspective. What would someone without any emotional involvement do?
Asking this question will help you make optimal decisions.
3. Do Your Research
The only constant in the universe is change, but when you’re plugging
away with your head down it’s easy not to notice. People often make
decisions based on outdated assumptions made months, or even years
earlier. To develop a course of action, you’ll need to know where you
stand. Stop to evaluate your position.
- What do you have?
- What do you want?
- How has the market adjusted?
- What opportunities still exist?
- What new opportunities have arisen?
By taking stock of the current situation, you’ll discover if your urge to quit is a passing whim or the correct decision.
4. Consult an Expert
When your knowledge base is insufficient you should seek an expert
opinion. This doesn’t mean you have to make contact with a world class
expert, anyone who knows more than you will be able to help. Think of
friends, family, and business associates. Have any of them been in your
position before? The web can also be a great resource, just be careful
who you trust. Check out relevant forums or email a reputable blogger.
I’m consistently impressed with the effort people expend to help total
strangers.
5. Re-evaluate Your Strategy
Once you’re well informed, apply that knowledge to revamping your
strategy. If you feel like giving up, you might be doing something
wrong. This is the time to pour over your efforts and determine what
works.
- What actions have lead to the greatest benefit?
- What mistakes have been made?
- What can be improved?
By answering these questions you’ll fine tune your strategy. The urge to give up is a blessing when it leads to analysis and constructive adjustments.
6. Change Course
Knowing what’s wrong and how you can fix it is a relief. Unlike an
invisible monster hovering over you, an exposed problem can be directly
assaulted. Once you’ve determined a change needs to be made, implement
it full force. Don’t hesitate or dwell on past mistakes. Trust your own
judgment and deal with new issues as they arise.
7. Push Through the Dip
In
some cases you might feel like giving up even though you’re doing all
the right things. This is called “the dip” — the plateau that separates
the average from the best in the world. Knowing what to do when you hit
the dip is so important, Seth Godin wrote a book on it.
In you’ve hit the dip and you can honestly say that going forward is
the best decision, lower your shoulder and plow ahead until you reach
the other side. It might not be pleasant but the rewards are tremendous.
If you make it.
8. Quit
We don’t have thoughts and emotions for nothing. Sometimes quitting
is the best decision. Maybe you didn’t know what you were getting into.
Maybe your priorities have changed. Maybe you’d be better doing
something else. If you know deep down that quitting is the right move,
do it. Don’t hesitate because of previously invested effort. That’s a
sunk cost. If you ignore your better judgment and continue you’ll waste
more time and energy.
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