Hippie CEO Life #58 - Is It Time to Quit?
A behind the scenes view of building a more humanistic company.
June 16, 2023
“The idea that you should never quit is deeply ingrained in society. That's society's fault.” ~John List
This week’s newsletter comes to you from on the road. I’m currently on a road trip. i enjoy driving long distances, it gives me time to clear my head and think. If there is such a thing as walking meditation, perhaps there is also something like driving meditation?
During my drive, i listened to an awesome podcast on NPR's Hidden Brain with economist John List. The podcast posed a question that i think we all struggle with, even if we don’t know it, both professionally or personally: "When do we know it's time to quit something that's not working?" The American culture often celebrates the ones who persevere, but John List brings a new perspective: It's important to know when to pivot to something new.
This got me thinking about this newsletter. i've been consistent with it for nearly two years, but I've struggled to see any meaningful growth in subscribers. There is very little interaction with the content, and it does take a significant investment of time to keep it going. So, i ask myself, is it time to pivot to something else? Am I missing out on other opportunities because i'm continuing to invest time in a struggling endeavor?
John List shares his own experience of dreaming to become a professional golfer. He was good, but when he compared his skills and scores with those who would eventually make it to the PGA, he realized he was far, like really far behind. He had to face the harsh reality that no matter how passionate he was about golf, his talent just didn't scale to the professional level. This led him to make the tough decision to quit his dream of professional golfing. And he did.
Quitting didn't come easy to him. He had grown up hearing, "Winners never quit and quitters never win." He was part of a culture that encouraged him to hang on a little longer, give a little more, and see his dreams come true. However, he decided to quit on his dream and seek a different path.
So, where does this leave us, and more importantly, where does this leave this newsletter?
It's important to remember that quitting is not the same as failure. Instead, it's about understanding when to pivot to new opportunities. It's about assessing what's working and what's not and making decisions based on that analysis. It's about understanding that persistence and resilience are crucial, but so is the ability to recognize when a change of direction is needed.
At this point, i am not sure about the future of this newsletter, but i am open to exploring new possibilities and making the necessary changes. i am committed to sharing my thoughts and experiences with you, but maybe the format will change, or perhaps the frequency. The essence will remain the same, though – to continue the journey of learning and growing together.
✌️💛
I’m only just starting out on here but I wanted to say that your posts on both twitter and here have been somewhat of an inspiration to me. I have admired your vulnerability and authenticity on social media. I am finally jumping into this space after contemplating it for a while and I have no idea what to expect, but for now I just thought I would share how you have helped me.
I for one will miss your posts if you stop.