Do You Know When to "Walk Away?"

The phrase for the week is "Know When To Walk Away”

You might be humming the Kenny Roger’s hit “The Gambler.” It is so appropriate for this week’s affirmation. We often hear, “hold on tight to your dreams,” “persevere,” “never give up.” It is so specific. So, if I let go of a dream, give up--am I a failure, a loser? How do we know when it may be time to sunset something that isn't working? When do you focus on what you've learned and move on?

I’ve read a lot of self-help books over the years. Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud stayed with me for years and I’ve recommended it to countless friends and clients. In it he states, “Getting to the next level always requires ending something, leaving it behind, and moving on. Growth demands that we move on. Without the ability to end things, people stay stuck, never becoming who they are meant to be, never accomplishing all that their talents and abilities should afford them.” Wow! I was so relieved to consider the perspective that moving on didn’t mean failure--that I had given up!

Here are some additional insights from the book:

· Until we let go of what is not good, we will never find something that is good.

· Normalize the idea of endings, so you can expect them rather than being surprised.

· Positive is doing what is best and right for the business and for the people. This is not a NEGATIVE.

· Always ask what season you are in.

· Having an abnormally high pain and failure threshold keeps you from ending things.

· People. Knowledge. Energy. The three keys to believe in a better future.

· When truth presents itself, the wise person sees the light, takes it in, and makes adjustments.

· Put on actual funerals for endings. Let people grieve.

· Your next step always depends on how well you are maximizing where you are right now and how ready you are to do what is necessary to get to the next place. And sometimes, that depends on ending some of what is happening today.

I know when to walk away.

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