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Be A Quitter Print
Time Management For The Busy Entrepreneur
Resilience, commitment and the capacity to take something to its completion are all important aspects of running a successful business.  On the other side of the equation it is equally important to know when it is time to drop out, let go, and joyfully announce I QUIT!

How many of us spend hours, days, even years of our precious lives doing things that we don’t enjoy, feel are a waste of time or that might even verge on painful? Whether it’s a class that no longer serves you, a social or business organization that saps your energy or working with a soul-sucking client, far too often people stay in the things they are doing because they “should”, they “have to”, or they would never dare quit!

Being A Quitter Can Change Your Life
As a professional coach, committed to people finding passion in their work, I have become a huge advocate of quitting, and I have supported my clients in quitting everything from very successful (though non-rewarding) careers to leaving unfulfilling relationships, to removing countless hours of board participation and after-work commitments, for more energy, balance and fun in their lives.

Let’s face it! It’s hard to build an empire when you are mired down with things that sap your time and energy.  Cleaning house, by clearing out your unnecessary commitments to focus on what is most important to you, is one of the most significant steps you can take towards your own business and life success.

Here are some points to consider as you look around your life and identify possible fodder for your quitting list.

You may just need to quit if:

What you are doing is a constant struggle. If every time you think of going to an activity, being with certain people, or doing certain tasks it feels arduous, annoying, painful or generally unpleasant, then you may have a perfect opportunity to do some quitting!  This is your one precious life and unlike those piano lessons your parents made you take when you were 8, today you actually get to say, “I have no interest in ever taking another piano lesson” or attending that PTA meeting or spearheading this initiative!

The activity feels like something you really “should do” or you “have to do”. I remember a mentor of mine telling me that I really must stop “shoulding all over myself”! Today I offer you the same advice.  If you find that the responsibility you are considering quitting is something that you feel you “should” or “have to” do, and it gives you very little personal enjoyment or growth then it may be time for a new open space in your calendar.

You find yourself complaining about your commitments. If you find yourself complaining to your friends, family, coworkers or anyone else who will listen about the things on your plate then you may want to turn those complaints into action!  It is such a cliché, but as they say, the only thing you have to do is pay taxes and die. So if you are really that unhappy with the events and circumstances that are taking your precious energy, then I invite you to look at ways to either appreciate what you have or get busy finding something new.

Every time the commitment comes up you think of 100 different things you would rather be doing. Is it time for the Tuesday night board meeting and you would rather be out for dinner with a friend? Every week do you gear up to go to that continuing education class but keep getting drawn towards other activities that seem more interesting to you?  This resistance may be the cue that it’s quitting time!

When imagining it gone makes you smile. When you imagine not having a certain commitment, responsibility or activity does your whole body relax?  Do you feel as though you dropped 20 lbs of weight off your shoulders?  Does that pain in the small of your back disappear?  Permanent relief is just one well - placed “I quit” away!

If you were a “YES” to any of the above then you are a hot candidate for some quitting. 

Is Quitting Right For You?
You may have your own opinions about making these types of quitting decisions. 

You may think it is irresponsible.
You may think it is selfish.
You may think it is unreasonable or impossible.

My dear friends, I am here to shake up your beliefs about quitting.

There is a powerful message in Eckhart Tolle’s book A New Earth where he addresses this exact issue.  He expresses that anything created in suffering will only bring more suffering.  Many people think that if they just suffer through, the end will justify the means.  However I have found this to be faulty thinking. Postponing life for “someday” and creating out of suffering is neither powerful nor inspiring and the result most often reflects this.  Whatever you think you are supposed to be doing by fulfilling on unpleasant commitments, I am here to tell you that there is usually a better way.  One that is way more fun and much better equipped to get you where you want to go.

So I ask you ladies and gentleman…

What are you ready to quit?

Take a moment, look around your life, and dare to consider what would you like to put on the chopping block?

The invitation: Make a list of all the activities, commitment and responsibilities that you would quit if you had the choice.  Be really bold about it! I dare you to write down stuff that at first glance has you saying, “Oh my gosh, I could never!”   Remember, you are not committing to quitting, only to writing down what comes up for you to quit.  Write your list and just hang out with it a bit. 

After a few days or weeks, check the list and see if you still feel the same way.  If so, and you are starting to get comfortable with the idea of making the leap… then I say, “Let the quitting begin!”

Take a deep breath and write the letter, make the call, schedule the meeting and respectfully, but definitively, quit. 

If the thing you wish to quit is something that feels too significant to walk away from or it feels more complicated than a simple conversation (ie. leaving your job with no other source of income or getting out of a committee when you are 2 weeks to the annual fundraiser) then I invite you to set a time in the future for your quitting day.  Identify your last day, put it on your calendar and create a plan for what it will take to get you from this moment to the blissful completion 1 month, 6 months or 2 years from now.

It’s that simple.  There is a whole new world of freedom, peace and joy waiting for those of you who courageously take on this challenge.

Carpe Diem! And just start quitting!

Coach Joelle Prochera is a Professional Certified Coach, writer and inspirational speaker committed to bringing the gift of joy and empowerment to the work and lives of others.  Joelle has supported thousands of people over the past 8 years to create their personal and business dreams in their reality.  Explore your own creative personal power through Coach Joelle’s live speaking events, her LIVLOUD! Newsletter, the Make Your Life Program, and individual coaching. Learn more at www.coachjoelle.com.