The topic of quitting has been on my mind for the past couple of weeks. (And don’t worry, this isn’t a round-about way of telling you I’m quitting my blog, or simplify 101 or anything else major like that.) Instead, this topic has been swirling around in my head because of discussions in the private forum of my Goals workshop. It seems “quit” is a four letter word. Okay, that’s obvious—quit is a four letter word for certain, but what is less obvious is that quit seems to a bad four letter word.

Let me ask you this. When was the last time you quit something? Did you view it as something positive or something negative?

It is becoming clearer and clearer to me that sometimes in order to move forward we have to give ourselves permission to quit, which means it may be time to look at quitting in a new light. What if quitting became a good four letter word—or even an empowering four letter word? What if quit became a word that signified a change in direction—quitting the path we are on to take a new, more positive path? What if quitting was viewed as the chance to free yourself from obligations or commitments or habits that no longer work for you? I think when you look at quitting in this light, it is very empowering.

So, let’s make a “good things to quit” list. I’ll start it off with a few ideas, and then, I’d love it if you would add to the list via the comments. Sound fun? Okay, let’s do it!

Good Things to Quit List

Half-finished projects that no longer excite you.

I mentioned this in my Finish It Friday post, and noticed while reading the comments that this concept really resonated with some of you. It really is okay to change your mind and decide that a project you started long, long ago is not worth your time. Your time is your most precious resource after all, so any choice that allows you to use your time more wisely is a good choice all day long. (Even if it involves quitting.)

Buying things you don’t use, need or love.

It will just lead to future clutter, future regret, and future (agonizing) decisions about whether or not it’s okay to get rid of it.

Negative self-talk.

Yes, let’s quit that and say nice things instead.

Smoking.

I think this is one of the few uses in the English language where quit gets its fair shake as a positive word. So it had to be on the list.

Texting and talking on cell phones while driving.

I have to admit, I used to talk on my cell phone while driving—all the time. I didn’t realize how unsafe it was until I watched this. Good to know; good thing to quit.

Letting things pile up.

It is so much easier to handle things right away such as answering emails the first time you read them (instead of reading them all and picking and choosing which one to reply to first), or handling today’s mail today. Little piles equal big stress. This is one place where quitting can really relieve stress and worry.

So…sometimes it is good to quit after all. What else can we add to the list of good things to quit? Can you think of anything? I’d love to hear your ideas.