Quitting Is For Losers...and Heros!
Hello everyone!
This week one of the best gymnasts of all time, Simone Biles, backed out of some of her competitions in the Tokyo Olympics. I don’t think the world knows what to think about it. I’ve seen reactions ranging from calling her a wonderful role model to an American embarrassment.
Personally, I am envious of such an outstanding woman. Anyone who is angry about it is lucky enough to have never had mental health problems or needs to work on having compassion.
How many of us suffer through areas or times in our life because we feel like we cannot quit? I don’t know how many YEARS I told myself, “it will be ok…I just need to get through these next few weeks and then I can rest and recover.”
We're doing what we have been told we HAVE to do in order to be successful. When we don't feel 100%, we can't give 100%.
We put our health (mental and physical) at risk so often and usually because others are depending on us. But what would happen if you took a step back and gave yourself permission to quit?
What if instead of thinking we are weak for quitting, we felt brave enough to take control of our own lives and stop doing something that is affecting our health in negative ways.
My generation, like many others, grew up hearing “quitting is for losers”, “you have to finish what you started” or even, “this cost a lot of money so you better do a good job and stick with it”.
But this mindset is why I stayed in unhappy situations for SO long. This caused a variety of mental health issues.
What if I had actually quit that job when I wanted to, when I started seeing red flags? When it started weighing on my health, my stress and cocktails of prescriptions just to deal with it? What if me quitting led to an even better job where I was happy, healthy and appreciated? I was so worried about what could go wrong, that it never dawned on me that things might had been better.
It’s like that quote by Erin Hanson, “What if I fall?” Oh, but my darling, “What if you fly?”
A job is just one example and we all know that ultimately I did get brave, but what if we applied this to other aspects of our lives that we keep trying to convince ourselves will get better?
- What is making you miserable more often than excited?
- What are you still holding on to that it’s time to let go of?
- What can you quit doing that would have a positive impact on your mental health?
Simone is continuously showing the world what hard work, bravery and dedication looks like. But this time instead of thinking these things are only applicable to what she does, she’s shown the world that you must first be dedicated to yourself before you can dedicate yourself to others.
We don’t have to be Olympic athletes to carry the torch of our own self-care.
This week, let's go for GOLD and quit something that is holding us back from our own happiness.
Why am I getting a newsletter on Sunday instead of Monday?
We are glad you asked! You see, I spend Sunday evening preparing for the week. Here are some ways I do this:
- Review my Google calendar and make sure everything is in my paper planner for the coming week. I know this sounds redundant, but I LOVE a paper planner and the feeling of checking things off the list. I also like to keep my planner open on my desk and take notes, etc. But I keep google calendar so I can easily see future events and share info with my team and family.
- Review my monthly goals and make sure I'm on track. Then plan my tasks and priorities accordingly. Goal setting and planning for success is a whole topic I can share in a future post.
- Decide which classes I am going to take and (here's the important part) MAKE A PLAN to actually take them. If you make a plan then you are much more likely to stick to it.
When I start my week with a plan and intention, I am more successful, less stressed and feel so much more in charge of my life!
So this is why we're moving the newsletter to Sunday. Hopefully you can use it to make some goals, plan your week and feel successful too.
Happy planning,
DeAnna