What are you committed to quitting?
I recently came across a powerful article on positive quitting – a concept that is too great NOT to share as we wrap up another calendar year! In her Wanderlust article, Silvia Mordini poses the challenging question that really got my thinking: “What if we aren’t quitting enough – and not the other way around?”
As a recovering over-achiever, this question holds so much power. And I’m guessing you can relate.
How many times have you heard (or even shared) messages like…
NEVER GIVE UP!
YOU CAN DO IT!
WINNERS NEVER QUIT!
(Yes, I read The Little That Could too many times as a child…and I still love this book!)
But when is quitting the best option?
Fellow Coach, Jim Allen shares that “Most of us view quitting as something negative, but it’s not…In reality, winners quit all the time: choosing to stop doing things that aren’t creating the results they desire.”
Instead of doing, being, and creating more, what will you give yourself permission to STOP doing?
One of my all-time favorite coaching questions is “If you were to STOP doing this now, what would be possible for you?”
To explore this more, I invite you to play with me for a moment…
Think of something that you have been tolerating that is no longer serving you or your greatest purpose. Maybe it is a friendship that needs to pause…or end. Or a bad habit or a particular situation you keep finding yourself engaging in and know you need to escape for good this time.
Now consider these powerful questions and let yourself dig deep:
What would it be like to retire from this bad behavior, toxic relationship, or negative environment?
What would you have to let go of?
What would shift or change in your life?
What would be possible for you then?
To take this a step future, Jim Allen, encourages the creation of a “Personal Quit List.” This is a personal proclamation to identify areas in your life that you need to stop doing so you can create space for something new.
“When you quit all the things that aren’t working for you, when you quit tolerating all the negative things that hold you back, you’ll create a positive ‘charge’ in your life as well as create the space in your life for more positive experiences.” – Jim Allen
What’s on your Personal Quit List?
My top three things are…
– Second guessing myself after I’ve made a thoughtful decision
– Dwelling on what could have been or what I should have done
– Rushing and hustling to get more done at the sake of being fully present
I’d love to hear about what you’re committed to quitting as we move into the second half of 2017 with more purposeful intention.
Be the Revolution,
Leslie Bosserman, M.Ed., CPCC
Executive Coach + Lifestyle Strategist for Millennial Leaders + Managers
Originally published at http://leadwithintention.com/blog/the-power-of-positive-quitting