Are you also of the idea that quitting is for losers? That winners never quit? Let me suggest a change of perspective — what if I told you that quitting could be your next step toward success? At 31, I made a bold decision to retire from over a decade in professional sports. While basketball had been my life since I was 6, and despite being relatively young for retirement, it felt like the right choice for me.

As my career neared its end, I found myself dealing with a sense of unfulfillment. The moments that should have mattered most to me felt distant, lacking any joy or meaning. Continuing to play only led to stress, burnout and depression. Letting go was tough, but it also opened doors to opportunities I never knew existed beyond the basketball court.

It turns out, winners do quit, and they do so strategically to advance both their lives and their careers.

When exploring this concept, I discovered unique perspectives from successful entrepreneurs like Steven Bartlett and thinkers like Dr. Jordan B. Peterson. They too challenge the traditional negative connotation of quitting.

A new perspective

Bartlett, renowned as the co-founder and former CEO of Social Chain, is a testament to entrepreneurial success and innovation. At just 22, he built a multimillion- dollar business. But in 2020, at the peak of its success, he chose to step down, showcasing his belief in the strategic power of knowing when and how to let go for personal and professional growth.

“In life, we glamorize starting,” Bartlett said in a discussion with YouTuber Ali Abdaal. “What I realized was my edge was quitting faster than others, with peace and ease.” This insight urges us to reconsider our approach to quitting. It’s often the case that taking on something new requires ending something else, suggesting a two-way relationship between quitting and starting.

A framework for quitting

In his book, “Happy Sexy Millionaire: Unexpected Truths about Fulfillment, Love, and Success,” Bartlett proposes a framework for quitting with the key question: “Are you thinking about quitting?”

This inquiry leads to two pathways:

Are you thinking about quitting because what you’re doing is too difficult?

Are you thinking about quitting because what you’re doing sucks, both mentally and emotionally?

In the first scenario, one must consider whether the hardships are justified by the potential rewards on offer. If the efforts don’t match the potential rewards, then it might be time to let go.

On the other hand, if the situation is draining you mentally and emotionally, ask yourself if and how you can make it less stressful. If there’s no viable solution in the foreseeable future, or if the efforts required don’t seem to justify the rewards, moving on might be the best course of action.

Quitting strategically versus giving up

Distinguishing between strategic quitting and merely giving up is crucial in the art of quitting. Peterson offers a valuable perspective on this.

During a lecture Q&A, Peterson said, “It’s hard to know the difference between effortful persistence and blind stupidity.” He suggests evaluating whether the new path you’re considering is as challenging or more so than the one you’re leaving.

Finding meaning

Now, I view quitting as a crucial skill, one that has enabled me and many others to pivot towards more fulfilling careers and life paths. It’s about trusting your instincts and pursuing what feels right, subjectively.

Quitting is an art, a skill that requires as much courage and thought as starting anew. To take on a new journey, one must first have the character and determination to leave the current path.