Why the Biggest Winners are Often the Best Quitters

Check out super successful people sometime. When you do, you’ll notice a common trait. THE BIGGEST WINNERS ARE OFTEN THE BEST QUITTERS.

Successful people are seldom “well rounded.” In fact, that’s what makes them successful. Rather then doing many things halfway, they do one thing well. Nothing shocking yet—until you realize this singular focus was the result of QUITTING.

Successful people started out just like the rest of us—BUSY. But slowly over time, they began to QUIT all the activities (and at times even relationships) that threatened their ultimate vision.

Sounds a little edgy to me. What about you?

Regardless of your opinion on the matter, I’ve discovered that although QUITTING might sound simple, “real time” reveals a different reality. Here’s 3 reasons why:

1. Quitting Takes Guts

When you examine the life and leadership of Jesus Christ you’ll see one of the BEST QUITTERS. Look closer and you’ll also see he instructed his followers to be QUITTERS too. The thing about Jesus was that he didn’t care what people thought. Ironically, this independent attitude demanded a response. Some people loved him for it. Others hated him for it.

If you’re not ready for people’s disapproval, then you’re not probably not ready for success either. When we’re addicted to people’s affirmation then we’re not OK if other people aren’t OK with us either. Professionals call this co-dependency. Last time I checked, successful people aren’t codependent. Quite the opposite.

Weigh in how you’d like, but living with guts takes some serious guts.

2. Quitting Takes Clarity

My mentor John Maxwell taught me, “To go up, you must give up.” Better known as THE LAW OF SACRIFICE, this is QUITTING at its finest. Throughout his career, John QUIT several great opportunities because they were no longer the best opportunity. John’s clarity helped him make these tough decisions.

Winners QUIT because they HAVE clarity. They see sooner, further, and clearer.
Losers CLING because they LACK clarity. They see later, shorter, and foggier.

I QUIT my day job only after I could see my dream job. The decision was still difficult—don’t misunderstand me. However, it became easier the clearer my vision became. I no longer focused on what I was losing. Instead, on what I was gaining.

My path changed only after my perspective changed.

3. Quitting Takes Action

Quitting isn’t a passive experience. Quite the opposite. QUITTING IS an active endeavor. I find that with each passing day the options, the distractions, and the demands increase exponentially. Because of this I’ve changed my default answer from YES to NO. When “opportunity” comes knocking, I don’t answer the door anymore. Most of the time, it’s just an uninvited guest armed with its own agenda.

Be encouraged. I’m still learning the ART and SCIENCE of QUITTING. Over the past 15 years, I’ve had more GUTS, more CLARITY, and more ACTION.

I’ve QUIT on the dream of earning a PhD from Notre Dame, on moving up the ranks in Jiu Jitsu, on becoming a Teaching Pastor, on serving as a professor or in the Air Force, etc.

Every dream I let linger only adds noise to the melody line I’m still perfecting. Most of all, I’m learning that the Biggest Winners are the Best Quitters.

I leave you with one final question—are you willing to be a QUITTER?

About the Author

Kary Oberbrunner left his day job to pursue his dream job—Igniting Souls.

Through his writing, speaking, and coaching, he helps individuals and organizations clarify who they are, why they are here, and where they should invest their time and energy.

The author of several books, Kary also serves as a founding partner on the John Maxwell Team.

Contact Kary at: http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/karyoberbrunner/