Remember when quitting was the ultimate sin? As kids, we were told to push through—finish the season, stick out the lessons, never be a “quitter.” But as adults, we’re told to set boundaries, protect our energy, take care of ourselves, and walk away from things that don’t serve us. So… which is it?
One of my dance students recently broke down during class. Between middle school, homework, extracurricular activities, a new role in a musical, all on top of her dance classes and competitions, she’s overwhelmed. As tears streamed down her face, she told me she didn’t want to quit and give up—she felt exhausted and stressed, even though she enjoys all of the things. She would rather sacrifice her health than risk seeming like a failure for quitting. Even as an adult, this dilemma is all too real. Knowing when and being able to bow out becomes a more critical skill the older we get, but it’s not necessarily one that we train ourselves to practice or build habits around.
The difference between quitting and setting boundaries is subtle but important. Quitting is a full stop—deciding something no longer fits and stepping away completely. Setting boundaries, on the other hand, is about creating structure within something that still matters. It’s the difference between leaving your job entirely versus saying, “I won’t check emails after 7 PM.”
Yet many of us still carry the childhood guilt that quitting means failure. Research backs this up—psychologists call it the sunk cost fallacy, where we keep investing in things just because we’ve already spent time, money, or energy on them. But knowing when to step back (or out) is actually a sign of wisdom, not weakness. The trick is to ask ourselves: Am I setting a boundary to keep something sustainable, or am I staying out of obligation when I should actually move on?
Persistence and dedication are important, but they have their place. So does protecting our peace and preserving our joy. The real skill is knowing which lesson applies when.
What’s a time you stuck with something longer than you should have? Can you think of an example where quitting was actually the best choice you made? Where in your life do you feel like you need a boundary right now? If quitting wasn’t perceived negatively, how might you approach certain decisions differently?
LEADERSHIP & CULTURE
Small Giants Community Connections 🤝
Register here for free for March 18
Join the Small Giants Community on March 18 for a dynamic session of sharing, learning, and building meaningful connections. Bring a pressing challenge or opportunity to discuss in a small group, and gain insights and suggestions from fellow leaders. In return, share your own experiences and perspectives to help others navigate their challenges.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Arch Grants 🏆
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The Arch Grants Startup Competition is searching for their next cohort of early-stage, innovative, scalable startups. Startups can apply for a $75,000 non-dilutive grant and access to an ecosystem of resources in St. Louis. Applications are open until the end of March.
INNOVATION
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Join General Assembly alumni and business owners on March 27 for a virtual conversation where they’ll share tech-focused insights and entrepreneurial lessons learned. Learn which tech skills are essential for your business, how to leverage them to optimize operations, and how to identify the right tech talent for your team.
PERSONAL GROWTH
Virtual Women’s Conference 👩💻
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Celebrate International Women’s Day on March 7 with a free virtual event hosted by Forté. Guided by the theme #AccelerateAction, top industry leaders will explore key challenges facing women in business today. Explore actionable strategies to advance your career, break barriers, and drive meaningful change.