When was the last time you made a commitment to do something, only to realize later on that you wouldn’t be able to accomplish it? Quitting can sometimes be the easiest thing in the world to do – if the task is harder than we expected, or if we have other priorities, or if we just plain old don’t feel like doing it. I’d like to take a few minutes to talk about why some people quit before they start and how quitting can seriously impact your path to success. Some people just seem to be natural-born quitters. They’ll make commitment after commitment, only to later have an excuse as to why it can’t be done.
It has been my experience that these people all share one common trait – impulsiveness. They say yes in the heat of the moment, only to later realize that they don’t have the time or energy to get the job done.
If you tend to be an impulsive person, remember your IQ: Impulsiveness leads to Quitting. Take a day or two to think things over before making any promises. If you are asking for help from someone who has been a quitter, you may want to insist that they take some time to think it over before deciding. Being a compulsive quitter can have a serious impact in your life, both professionally and personally.
When I do business with others, I tend to have a one strike and you’re out policy – when someone doesn’t carry through with their commitments and promises, I don’t give them another opportunity to let me down. No one wants to put their trust and their livelihood in the hands of someone who is unreliable.
It can also be very self-defeating to never follow through with what you say you’ll do. You can get caught up in a cycle of committing, quitting, and becoming less trustworthy to others and yourself. Remember, it’s better to commit less or not at all than to make promises you can’t keep. Make it a goal this month to do what you say you’ll do, and know when to say no. Good luck!
