Ask any successful person how they got to where they are, and you’re likely to hear a variation of “I didn’t give up.” That’s probably not true, though; in fact, most successful people have a history of giving up. Here are a few things that you may need to give up for success.
Giving Up a Job That Isn’t a Good Fit
I’m not suggesting that if you’re unsatisfied with your job, then you should roll the dice by handing in your notice and hoping that something spectacular comes along. We’ve all worked jobs that were unfulfilling and were strictly a means to an end (the first two years of building Soundwave Art™ I was working a job that made me absolutely miserable) however, maybe it is time to brush up your resume, take on a volunteer opportunity or a couple night classes at your local community college, and set your sights on something that’s a better fit.
Giving Up People Who Don’t Share Your Vision
Relationships are valuable, and opening yourself up to constructive criticism can spare you a lot of pain. Surrounding yourself with people who can offer a dose of reality and a fresh perspective is wise; surrounding yourself with toxic people who cast a negative light on your goals, however, is a different thing entirely. Your social environment matters, so if the mindset and attitudes of the people that you spend the most time with are lowering your standards of success, then it may be time to rearrange your social calendar.
Giving Up on Something That No Longer Works
The world is fast-paced, and just because something worked yesterday doesn’t mean that it’ll work tomorrow. Case in point: plenty of small businesses are still counting on the Yellow Pages as their primary means of advertisement. Do some people still consult the Yellow Pages to find a decent carpenter or electrician? Sure they do. And technically, the jury is still out on whether advertising in the phone book is a worthy endeavor or a waste of money.
But how many business owners have continued to count on the Yellow Pages because 30 years ago, that was how you got your message out? How many have, in spite of the fact that their target audience is likely spending an enormous amount of time on social media, been reluctant to take advantage of the new frontier of social media marketing?
Successful people take a step back and look at how they’re pursuing their goals. If there is a “tried and true” practice or method that is no longer yielding the desired results, then it’s time to give it up.
Giving Up on Things that Consume Energy While Offering Little Reward
One of the biggest threats to success is falling into the trap of instant gratification. Just because a project, thing, or event doesn’t offer an immediate pay-off doesn’t mean that it isn’t conducive to your overall long-term goals. The flip side, though, is that you may end up spinning your wheels and waiting for benefits that are never going to come. To avoid this, prioritize your schedule, taking time to look at the tasks that suck up a lot of time and energy while offering little benefit.
Success doesn’t always mean not giving up; more often than not, success hinges on knowing when to give up. What have you had to let go of to see success in your own life?
