Brad and Steve discuss the importance of knowing when to persist or quit in different situations. They explore the challenges of finding a job that provides meaning, belonging, boundaries, and good pay. The myth of Sisyphus is used as a metaphor to understand when to walk away from endless struggles. The distinction between knowledge and wisdom in relation to grit is examined, emphasizing the importance of recognizing when it's time to move on.
Recognize when it's more beneficial to quit rather than persist, especially in careers.
Gain perspective and assess psychological needs to make an informed decision when faced with quitting or persisting in a job.
Deep dives
Knowing when to Quit or Persist
Sometimes it's important to recognize when it is more beneficial to quit something rather than persisting. Grit and persistence are valuable qualities, but they can become obstacles if they prevent us from recognizing when it's time to move on. This dilemma often arises in careers, where individuals may find themselves in organizations or roles that are not the right fit. Persisting in these situations only prolongs the inevitable and can lead to dissatisfaction. A good heuristic for knowing when to leave is to ask if you are delaying the inevitable or if there is a real chance that something might change. If it feels like you're delaying the inevitable and there are no major milestones on the horizon, it may be time to move on. Another helpful heuristic is to evaluate whether your core values can be practiced in the current situation. If they cannot, it suggests that it might not be a good place to be. If they can, you can consider adjusting the way you practice your values to improve the situation.
Finding Perspective and Assessing Needs
When faced with the decision of whether to quit or persist, it can be helpful to zoom out and gain perspective. When we are solely focused on the present moment, it is easy to become narrow-minded and lose sight of the bigger picture. By asking ourselves what advice a friend would give or how we might view the situation in the future, we can broaden our perspective and make a more informed decision. Another valuable step is to assess our psychological needs and determine if they are being fulfilled by the work we are considering quitting. If the needs are not being met, we can explore whether they can be fulfilled elsewhere or if a change is necessary. It is important to understand that it is challenging to find a job that fulfills all needs perfectly, so we must weigh the trade-offs and priorities our needs accordingly.
Balancing Lifestyle, Income, and Stimulation
A helpful rule of thumb is that most jobs can offer two out of three things: lifestyle, income, and challenge/stimulation. It is rare to find a job that provides all three in the desired way. Therefore, it is crucial to choose wisely and determine which two aspects are the most important for you. This understanding can guide decision-making when faced with the choice to quit or persist. Additionally, the metaphor of Sisyphus pushing a rock up a hill and it repeatedly rolling back down can provide insight. Sisyphus had the option to walk away from the mountain and find another where the rock would stay at the top. Similarly, individuals have the choice to leave a situation that feels like constant struggle and find something better suited to them. Grit is valuable, but wisdom lies in when to apply it and recognizing when it's time to move on.
Brad and Steve discuss the different habits, strategies, and practices that can help you learn when it makes sense to keep going (and grit) versus when it makes sense shut things down (and quit) — be it in a job, in a relationship, or in some other pursuit. Topics explored include job-crafting, values-based decision making, different ways of meeting basic needs, the myth of Sisyphus, and the three things that you want every job to have but nearly every job can only offer two.