Great post and an importance message that many people out there get wrong! There’s always this simplistic dichotomy of being a “quitter” vs being “determined.” But I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. Determination is always about the bigger picture, whereas the decision to add junk volume to a workout can be driven by nothing but impulse.
I would say there is such a think as mindful quitting, but this type of quitting - like your personal example of abandoning powerlifting in favour of (ultra-)endurance events - usually goes hand in hand with devoting ourselves to new challenges instead.
I think this is such a rich topic to explore in fitness and life in general, and definitely something worth thinking (and writing) about. Thank you!
Love the overestimate in a day and underestimate in a year point.
I was working on an upcoming post on quitting this morning, particularly the benefits and limitations of a never quit mindset and how reframing quitting to pivoting, modifying, or updating can be a strength when a pursuit becomes a net negative.
Good shit man and thank you for the wisdom.
I’m planning to do the broken marathon with a buddy in the coming month but ruck 1.1mile/hr instead of run. I’ll be reminding myself of your 100mile ruck when my mind tries to convince me quitting is a good idea.
I often like to use fitness as both as a vehicle for resilience training or to exemplify concepts. I’m still playing with considerations for your questions but one way could be relating it to when your form is starting to break. Is not modifying and continuing on with shit form resilient or unnecessarily risky? Modifying or even discontinuing a set in this case isn’t quitting in my opinion even if my conditioned mind initially tells me it is. In other domains, it could be thought of similarly. Breaks aren’t quitting.
In relationships, I think Zach did a phenomenal job writing about effort and exhausting options. I think that something like divorce can make sense when adequate time, effort, and approaches for improving the situation are exhausted. Far too many, quit early.
Net negative implies that it’s overall detrimental to the area of interest over a relative amount of time. Challenge is inevitable. There are no linearly positive trajectories but the lens that you view a circumstance from can consider net positive or negative. Something like a marriage might be years while something like fixing a broken fridge before asking for help might be a week.
As I mentioned, still playing with it but great question that’s going to be unique to everyone. Default persistence with an open mind and ability to step back and see bigger picture.
Loaded with gems in here. I’m curious your thoughts on how the people you surround yourself with impact your willingness to quit. It can be hard to up and change circles of those around you. But if they aren’t growing as fast as you, they just become an anchor weighing you down.
I believe environments can be limiting and life giving.. I’m surrounded by great people who are doing awesome things. Running Ironmans/ Ultra building business, growing with the Lord. This all inspires me and has an effect on me. I don’t think (Everyone) in my life needs to be this way… but it sure is nice the more that are. When I first moved to Indy I didnt know anyone or have any friends. I still did my thing and started a business. It wasn’t till a year or 2 after I started creating this community. Would I have been able to do all these other things without the community? I dont know… that wasn’t my path. I will say I know this for certain. Having a loving and supporting wife makes going after all these goals much more possible! That to me is #1. Also, dont think men need daily community… or even wkly? Meeting up with a likeminded friend for a couple hour hike run or lift every couple or few weeks can suffice (atleast based off the calendar that I keep) online groups are second best in my opinion. Our DoHardThings community is sharing up wins in training and life daily. Learning from one another and meeting up every 2 weeks on zoom for training and mindset discussion. 4 times per year for in person challenges (rucks/ runs) and many guys meet up outside of the group for hikes and training if in the area
Great post and an importance message that many people out there get wrong! There’s always this simplistic dichotomy of being a “quitter” vs being “determined.” But I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. Determination is always about the bigger picture, whereas the decision to add junk volume to a workout can be driven by nothing but impulse.
I would say there is such a think as mindful quitting, but this type of quitting - like your personal example of abandoning powerlifting in favour of (ultra-)endurance events - usually goes hand in hand with devoting ourselves to new challenges instead.
I think this is such a rich topic to explore in fitness and life in general, and definitely something worth thinking (and writing) about. Thank you!
Determination is about the bigger picture. Good phrase to ponder there.
Love the overestimate in a day and underestimate in a year point.
I was working on an upcoming post on quitting this morning, particularly the benefits and limitations of a never quit mindset and how reframing quitting to pivoting, modifying, or updating can be a strength when a pursuit becomes a net negative.
Good shit man and thank you for the wisdom.
I’m planning to do the broken marathon with a buddy in the coming month but ruck 1.1mile/hr instead of run. I’ll be reminding myself of your 100mile ruck when my mind tries to convince me quitting is a good idea.
Love it Kyle
❤️🔥
Can’t wait to read this. Curious on your ideas of determining when a pursuit becomes a net negative.
I often like to use fitness as both as a vehicle for resilience training or to exemplify concepts. I’m still playing with considerations for your questions but one way could be relating it to when your form is starting to break. Is not modifying and continuing on with shit form resilient or unnecessarily risky? Modifying or even discontinuing a set in this case isn’t quitting in my opinion even if my conditioned mind initially tells me it is. In other domains, it could be thought of similarly. Breaks aren’t quitting.
In relationships, I think Zach did a phenomenal job writing about effort and exhausting options. I think that something like divorce can make sense when adequate time, effort, and approaches for improving the situation are exhausted. Far too many, quit early.
Net negative implies that it’s overall detrimental to the area of interest over a relative amount of time. Challenge is inevitable. There are no linearly positive trajectories but the lens that you view a circumstance from can consider net positive or negative. Something like a marriage might be years while something like fixing a broken fridge before asking for help might be a week.
As I mentioned, still playing with it but great question that’s going to be unique to everyone. Default persistence with an open mind and ability to step back and see bigger picture.
“We make fun of things we don’t understand”
Been there more times than i can remember & it’s so true. Very revealing.
Loaded with gems in here. I’m curious your thoughts on how the people you surround yourself with impact your willingness to quit. It can be hard to up and change circles of those around you. But if they aren’t growing as fast as you, they just become an anchor weighing you down.
I believe environments can be limiting and life giving.. I’m surrounded by great people who are doing awesome things. Running Ironmans/ Ultra building business, growing with the Lord. This all inspires me and has an effect on me. I don’t think (Everyone) in my life needs to be this way… but it sure is nice the more that are. When I first moved to Indy I didnt know anyone or have any friends. I still did my thing and started a business. It wasn’t till a year or 2 after I started creating this community. Would I have been able to do all these other things without the community? I dont know… that wasn’t my path. I will say I know this for certain. Having a loving and supporting wife makes going after all these goals much more possible! That to me is #1. Also, dont think men need daily community… or even wkly? Meeting up with a likeminded friend for a couple hour hike run or lift every couple or few weeks can suffice (atleast based off the calendar that I keep) online groups are second best in my opinion. Our DoHardThings community is sharing up wins in training and life daily. Learning from one another and meeting up every 2 weeks on zoom for training and mindset discussion. 4 times per year for in person challenges (rucks/ runs) and many guys meet up outside of the group for hikes and training if in the area
Awesome reminders. We don’t need to be limited by our ‘local’ community. The circle can be international if needed to help us grow. 👍🏼👌
This is WILD given I didn’t read this at all before our chat today, this is excellent 🙌
Thats what I was thinking!!
Wise hearts vibe to the same frequency
This holds true in my online business. Each time I’ve tried I quit way too early, and I know it
YES BRO
I’m pretty sure I’ve heard this before, needed to hear it today, and I’m sure I’ll need to hear it again
Reminder rules