If at first you don't succeed . . . you should probably quit

Failure might be the result of poor preparation, bad execution or incorrect beliefs. In these situations, we should change our approach and try again.

But failure might be due to the fact that we are trying to do something that doesn't match our unique skills, interests and personality. In these cases, trying again is the wrong approach. We don't need to persevere, we need to quit.

Quitting can be difficult and few people will tell you to give up. (It just doesn't seem very encouraging) Most people will tell you to "try try again." But this is bad advice.

So next time you fail, take a minute to identify why you failed. Maybe you need to persevere, but, as Seth Godin explains, you also might need to declare bankruptcy.

To learn more about the value of becoming a quitter, check out the chapter on avoidance in my new Freak Factor book.

Comments

[cheap ray bans]

The five winners were chosen based on a complex algorithm developed using my children's ages and my wife's year of birth.

[burberry bag]

So next time you fail, take a minute to identify why you failed. Maybe you need to persevere, but, as Seth Godin explains, you also might need to declare bankruptcy.

[christian louboutin]

But failure might be due to the fact that we are trying to do something that doesn't match our unique skills, interests and personality. In these cases, trying again is the wrong approach. We don't need to persevere, we need to quit.

[Leah Shapiro]

This is awesome advice Dave. I've been a strong advocate of the idea "If it doesn't feel good to you, it's not meant for you".