Throughout our lives, we are fed with the thoughts of trying one last time whenever we want to quit. In the world of quick fixes and volatile pleasures, it even makes sense. We shouldn’t use quit to escape the adversities in life. It is in knowing that overcoming those adversities no more aligns with the purpose of your life.

So how do you differentiate between a pothole(struggles of life) and a road under construction (a dead end)?

1. When you are clobbered by the ‘whys’
   When you are busy defining your purpose, you are too engrossed to question life. Though it’s healthy to ask questions to gain clarity, if you find yourself questioning your existence every waking moment, it is a red flag. Sit zazen and focus your energies on asking the correct questions.
   ●  Is the experience of persisting worthwhile?
   ●  Does it align with my purpose?
   ●  Does any part of this make me happy?
   If you answer yes, then you are just facing a pothole. Persist! If you are not sure, ask yourselves more questions.
   ●  When all is done, will I remember it as a painful memory?
   ●  Is there something worthwhile I would instead do?
   ●  Am I just being a reflection of what others expect me to be?
   If the answer to these questions is yes, you know it’s time to gather that courage and maneuver to newer horizons.
2. When the negative energies start feeding on your optimism
   It’s a sheer wastage in investing your optimism in anything other than realizing your potential. Nothing is worth killing your soul for. If ‘sustaining’ life starts taking more energy out of your soul than replenishing it, it’s time to call it quits. It is never too late to change the environment that is stealing your light.
3. When you can play the ball with your eyes closed
   It is wise to realize when your learning curve has reached a plateau. The day you feel that there is no challenge left that requires you to step out of your comfort zone is the day you know it’s time for another beginning. It doesn’t mean that being comfortable in what you do is hazardous. But it should not make you complacent. The more comfortable you are, the less a situation would feel exciting. And as the excitement dries up, your heart withers. Who wants to live with a heart that has lost all its warmth and juices?
4. When the best time of your day is the time you spend in the bathroom
   When you start treating your life as a job waiting for weekends to live your life truly, have the wisdom to quit. If you aren’t able to seek contentment and happiness out of your life, then it is time to change the gears or replace the parts that are slowing you down. Suppose the highlight of your day is sitting in the bathroom, where you can loosen up your chain and tie and exhale a long-held breath. In that case, it’s time to discover another purpose that makes you want to work towards the opportunity with enthusiasm and makes the bathroom less appealing.
5. When your core values are being compromised
   Your values are like a lighthouse in the sea of your life. They keep you grounded and, at the same time, guide you forward to newer shores. If something demands you to compromise your ethics, such as drinking (if you are a teetotaler) with higher-ups in the name of networking or being asked to turn a blind eye to office harassment, it’s time to take a step back and re-evaluate your vision. If there is a huge gap between who you are and what you are doing, it’s not worth your time.

If you know that you do not want the present to be your future, empower yourself by quitting. Understand that round pegs do not fit in square holes, no matter how much you try! Allow yourself to quit to make space for better things in life.

Quit an organization if your abilities aren’t recognized.
Quit that relationship if you are forced to be someone you are not.
Quit those energies if they aren’t enriching your soul. And quit now!

Life is too full of vigor to be lived in quiet desperation.