It’s Hard...so let’s BREAK UP.

We’re all taught that quitting is the ultimate failure. 

From school, work, or even personal projects—if you stop, you’re giving up. 

But what if that’s just bad advice? Sometimes, quitting is not only the right move—it can actually fuel your productivity.

Because not everything you start is worth finishing….

We often hang onto projects, habits, or goals because we’re emotionally attached or feel like we’ve already invested too much to walk away. 

But continuing down a dead-end path is the fastest way to drain your energy—energy that could be used on something much more rewarding.

Think about it. 

Have you ever forced yourself to keep at something just because it felt wrong to quit? And then, months down the road, you realize it was a waste of time? We've all been there.

The truth is, knowing when to quit is a productivity superpower.

Take Steve Jobs, for instance. After being ousted from Apple in 1985, Jobs could have clung onto the resentment and his vision for the company, but instead, he pivoted. 

He focused on Pixar, and through this shift, not only did he revolutionize animated films but also built the foundation for his eventual return to Apple. 

Had he stubbornly clung to his role at Apple, would we have seen the iPhone?

Sometimes, what you need isn’t to push harder but to let go.

There’s this thing called the sunk cost fallacy, which tricks us into believing that because we’ve already invested time, money, or energy into something, we should stick with it. 

But that’s like eating an entire meal just because you’ve already paid for it, even if you’re not hungry.

It’s the same with projects, habits, or even relationships. 

Quitting doesn't mean you're failing—it means you're making room for what really matters. 

The more we clutter our lives with things that no longer serve us, the less room we have for things that do.

What if, instead of viewing quitting as a sign of weakness, we saw it as a way to reclaim our focus?

You know those moments when something just isn’t working—whether it's a project that’s going nowhere or a habit that’s no longer effective? 

Hanging onto it can actually hold you back from new, more aligned opportunities. 

Quitting can be a reset button—one that frees up your mental space for things that actually move you forward.

Research backs this up too. 

Studies show that when people let go of unattainable goals, they actually feel less stressed and experience more positive well-being. So, sometimes, quitting is the healthiest choice.

The key here is knowing when to let go. Not everything we quit is an automatic win for productivity, but if a project or habit is no longer pushing you toward your end goals, it might be time to reassess.

Ask yourself:

- Is this project still aligned with my priorities?

- Am I progressing, or just spinning my wheels?

- What would my time be better spent on?

When you stop clinging to what’s not working, you open yourself up to the things that can.

Productivity isn’t about sticking with something until the bitter end. It’s about focusing your energy on what works. And sometimes, that means quitting. 

It’s not the dirty word we’ve been taught to believe—it’s often a way to make space for the things that will push you forward.

What’s one thing in your life that’s not serving you anymore? 

Could letting it go open up new opportunities?

Catch you in the next one…

Hoyin Cheung,

Hermessi.com

P.S. If you found these tips helpful, share them with friends who might need a productivity boost. It’s a small action that can make a big difference! 😉

P.P.S. I’d love to hear your thoughts or any strategies you use to have 100% attention while working. Feel free to reply or connect with me on LinkedIn or X. Let’s continue the conversation and boost our productivity together!