When you feel like quitting, know this

35 replies
Sometimes you just gonna walk away. And knowing when to quit is just as important as knowing when to stick.

This might help give you the motivation to push through, or move on.

Whenever we start a new project, like building a business, everyone goes through the same emotional rollercoaster sooner or later.

Here's a little graphic I made to explain the journey we all go on.


We start off with excitement... but that doesn't last too long before it slips into uncertainty, then confusion about why you're not getting the results you expect.

The lack of results can make you depressed, then you feel like quitting.

We all feel like quitting sometimes.

Seth Godin calls it the dip.

Even though it feels rough, if you carry on working, producing content, and push through that period - which can last a while, you eventually accept the fact that it's a difficult journey.

Then you start testing new things, and start having fun with it, and gain confidence.

This is why you need either passion or discipline for your niche.

So no matter what stage you're at right now, there's going to be a dip. So prepare for it, and use it to your advantage if you can.

Just knowing it exists can prevent you from giving up.
#feel #quitting
  • Profile picture of the author Bizopboost
    Great Post , Thanks a Lot , this is exactly what I needed...
    I think we all have to do some search for motivational posts or videos each month or so...
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  • Profile picture of the author Mabu Map
    Your picture can replace thousands of words.

    That's true. Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    I've definitely had my dip. I've learned that it's normal for a newbie. But as a pro you should be able to possibly expect this - even in a small niche - and know how to get out of the rut. But a real pro shouldn't have to experience this at all, in a small niche that they can create a real business out of. "Been there done that" should be the mindset.
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
      Originally Posted by Randall Magwood View Post

      But a real pro shouldn't have to experience this at all, in a small niche that they can create a real business out of. "Been there done that" should be the mindset.
      That would be great, wouldn't it. I think to progress we have to be constantly outside our comfort zone and learn new skills, so we're never too far from either side of a dip.
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Yep, the graph really transcends a wide diversity of things in Life. Not just business
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
      Originally Posted by discrat View Post

      Yep, the graph really transcends a wide diversity of things in Life. Not just business
      Yeah bud I agree with that.

      Most relationships go through this too.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
    Banned
    Love it. : ) Thanks Michael.

    The most "challenging" point is the middle/"depressed" point. Once a Person has transcended that "success" becomes more likely/ within reach.

    (That said, the "excitement" element keeps going after that ...)

    JMO.
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    "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Brindamour
    Awesome post Michael!! Love it
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Good stuff.

    This is why I follow my passion. I don't even see dips, because I am not concerned with the results, because the work is the reward. Helps me to persist, to enjoy the ride and to allow greater success to flow to me.

    Follow your passion guys! Make the work/play the reward, and all results feel like extra's, or bonuses, not the main reason why you are working in IM.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
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      Originally Posted by ryanbiddulph View Post

      Follow your passion guys! Make the work/play the reward, and all results feel like extra's, or bonuses, not the main reason why you are working in IM.
      Great point: Thanks Ryan. : ) Personally I think there's nothing wrong with having an income goal (etc.) ... While also enjoying the process of working (etc.) at the same time.
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      "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
        Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

        Personally I think there's nothing wrong with having an income goal (etc.) ... While also enjoying the process of working (etc.) at the same time.
        Yup. A big part of digital marketing is keeping an eye on the metrics, and letting the data lead us (so we know what's working).

        It's how we get results faster. Income is just another metric.

        I've done it both ways and I know which one I prefer.

        When I first started my first hobby blog in 2004 I didn't see any real income for 3 years, largely because ignored the metrics.

        A few weeks ago I started another hobby blog, which is on track to make $500 in its first month, largely because I'm watching the metrics. Every post on there is 100% heart-centric.

        Do what you love, you need passion to succeed, and it rarely does feel like 'work'. But data is your best friend.
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  • Profile picture of the author nocashwealth
    Great. Will help me in my gold affiliate business.
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  • Profile picture of the author cearion
    Banned
    This is a very simple post but it delivers the message. Thank you for spreading motivation.
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  • Profile picture of the author SeanGareth
    Love it, never say die attitude.
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  • Profile picture of the author JasonTheFreeman
    Yes, the struggle is always a part of any journey that's worth it. Usually, it's at the lowest point where we find the key to boost us up again.
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  • Profile picture of the author Qin Yi Lee
    Great post! Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author Maxxx333
    this is really helpful to keep motivated, and keep working on it, thanks really much!
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Originally Posted by Michael Meaney View Post

    And knowing when to quit is just as important as knowing when to stick.

    "If you're gonna play the game, boy,
    You gotta learn to play it right."

    "You got to know when to hold 'em,
    Know when to fold 'em,
    Know when to walk away,
    And know when to run."

    "Every [marketer] knows
    That the secret to survivin'
    Is knowin' what to throw away
    And knowin' what to keep."
    - Apologies to Kenny Rogers
    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
      Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

      "If you're gonna play the game, boy,
      You gotta learn to play it right."

      "You got to know when to hold 'em,
      Know when to fold 'em,
      Know when to walk away,
      And know when to run."

      "Every [marketer] knows
      That the secret to survivin'
      Is knowin' what to throw away
      And knowin' what to keep."
      - Apologies to Kenny Rogers
      Steve
      Grew up listening that song. My mum would play it ON FREAKIN' REPEAT, ALL FREAKIN' DAY.

      Still as catchy as ever.
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  • Profile picture of the author luciesmazanska
    great post! even if its shortitexactly shows what to be aware of!
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  • Profile picture of the author Jamel Hassell
    I take note of something very important that you are mentioning in the first pargraph . " knowing when to quit is just as important as knowing when to stick". I call it the pivot moment .
    We are both on the same page.
    Nice article.
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  • Profile picture of the author Israfilhaque1230
    Correct, the diagram truly rises above a wide assorted variety of things in Life. Not simply business
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  • Profile picture of the author cessoll
    This post just brightened up my day!
    Thank you for posting this. For those who feel like they want to give up, take a rest, but never quit. There's a difference between those two. Quitting means you're turning back when you're already halfway through the tunnel. Resting means pausing; just taking your moment to gain your energy to start your day again.
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  • Profile picture of the author RonaRosen
    And that curve will likely be different for different projects. If you're trying something new, that bottom of quit may happen earlier on the curve than one where you have more experience. One thing I try is to set those intermediate goals and reward myself when I reach them. If I'm doing some major redesign on my website, I deserve a special dessert or going to the movies when I publish that new content.
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
      Originally Posted by RonaRosen View Post

      One thing I try is to set those intermediate goals and reward myself when I reach them.
      I do the same thing. I like to reward my family too, for having to put up with me going on about conversion rates all the time.
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  • Profile picture of the author ~kev~
    Over the past decade I have felt like giving up so many times it is silly. The thing that kept me going was hope. Hope that one day things would work its way out.

    Let's be honest, without hope we have nothing.

    Through doubt and everything else, we have to keep trying.
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  • Profile picture of the author Champion Sonics
    thanks for this information. really insightful
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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    This one has always resonated with me, I find there isn't just 1 dip, but multiple with many ups and downs..

    And still to this day I still have my ups and downs, I just remember to stick with the plan and the long term goals...

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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
      Originally Posted by ChrisBa View Post

      This one has always resonated with me, I find there isn't just 1 dip, but multiple with many ups and downs..

      And still to this day I still have my ups and downs, I just remember to stick with the plan and the long term goals...

      Holy crap that matches my caffeine consumption...

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  • Profile picture of the author max63
    Thanks for a little motivation
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  • Profile picture of the author jamie3000
    Think I'm at the acceptance / exploring stage at the moment. I did that quitting stage and quit my website but then went back to it 6 months later. So glad I did, I'm getting 200 members a day now. Just got to figure out the monitising part of it now! ;-)
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  • Profile picture of the author success_89
    This is definitely a very valuable post, anyone who is just beginning should make this their computer desktop wallpaper as a reminder as they trudge forward on their path so they are reminded to keep going. Thanks for the share Michael

    Damien
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
      Originally Posted by success_89 View Post

      anyone who is just beginning should make this their computer desktop wallpaper as a reminder as they trudge forward on their path so they are reminded to keep going.
      That's a bloody good idea, Damien.
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  • Profile picture of the author talfighel
    ‏it's important to never quit but even more important to never make the same mistakes over and over again.
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  • Profile picture of the author ezjob
    If you will keep working through the rough period and something finally works for you; then you gain confidence and can have fun.

    Very true.
    Thanks
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