Quitting: The Paradox of Letting Go to Move Forward

The notion of quitting has been painted with broad strokes of negativity. The adage rings loud: “Quitters never win, and winners never quit.” Yet, the etymological roots of the word ‘quit’ hint at a different perspective—one of liberation and peace. Derived from the Medieval Latin ‘quietus,’ it originally meant to be free from burdens like war or debt. Today, it’s time to weave a more nuanced understanding of what it means to quit, recognizing that sometimes, letting go can set us free.

The dichotomy of quitting as either wholly good or bad is a misstep. It overlooks the complexities of human experience. Consider the Soldier enduring the rigors of Ranger School. The immediate discomfort and challenges are undeniable, yet the long-term regret of quitting could outweigh the temporary relief. Conversely, stepping away from a destructive relationship, while acutely painful, might pave the way for a healthier, happier life. The scale of discomfort against the potential for positive outcomes is a delicate balance.

When it comes to the trials faced by the young, the decision to quit becomes even more intricate. For a child under the tutelage of a less-than-inspiring coach, the argument for building resilience by enduring hardship competes with the belief in the sanctity of childhood joy. Should the young be subjected to misery in the name of growth, or should their fleeting years of youth be protected as a time of happiness and exploration?

The complication continues as the young mature toward adulthood.  Think about the collegiate athlete who stands at the crossroads of obligation and passion. When the sport that once ignited their spirit becomes a source of dread, the decision to walk away is not one of simple resignation. It is about self-discovery, about honoring the journey of finding what makes one’s heart beat fastest. College, after all, is not just about formal education; it’s about learning who we are and what we desire from the myriad of paths that life offers.

The blanket decree of “never quit” fails to acknowledge the individual’s unique circumstances. It is a decision that should be weighed with introspection and care, not measured against a universal standard. The valor lies not in the act of quitting or persisting but in the courage to make the right choice for oneself, to discern when the cost to our well-being outweighs the benefits of continuance.

Let this serve as an invitation to reassess the connotations of quitting. It’s a call to view each situation through a lens of thoughtful consideration, to understand when perseverance transforms into folly and when quitting can indeed be an act of winning—an act of reclaiming one’s freedom and the right to choose a different battle, one that resonates with the core of one’s being.

Ultimately, the true measure of our decisions lies in their alignment with our values and the fulfillment they bring. May we all find the wisdom to know when to hold on and the strength to know when to let go.

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This first appeared in The Havok Journal on November 15, 2023.

JC Glick serves as the Chief Executive Officer of The COMMIT Foundation. JC brings with him a wealth of experience as a leadership consultant and career Army officer and is driven by a deep commitment to supporting veterans in their transition journey. Since transitioning from 20 years of military service in 2015, JC has been a founder and partner of two leadership companies, where his clients included Fortune 500 companies, international non-profit organizations, government agencies, the NFL, numerous NFL and NBA teams, and multiple NCAA programs.

Over the course of his Army career, JC spent over seven years in the Ranger regiment, serving in two Ranger Battalions as well as Regimental Headquarters, participating in the Best Ranger Competition twice, and has over seven and a half years of command time with 11 operational and combat deployments to Haiti, Bangladesh, Iraq, and Afghanistan. JC is the author of two books, including A Light in the Darkness: Leadership Development for the Unknown. In 2017, he was selected as a TEDX Speaker and delivered Rethinking Leadership at TEDX Hammond. JC is also an adjunct professor at St. John’s University in Queens, New York. He holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Rhode Island and is a Liberty Fellow, part of the Aspen Institute.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.