Hi there. I know I’ve fallen behind on creating new content, and I’ve also been a bit off in other areas—calling my mom, skipping pizza, and not keeping up with fitness. Lately my time has been swallowed by what I’d call entrepreneurial shenanigans. That said, I’ve got a few hours this afternoon and plan to work on a new T-Nation article. That’s something, right?
Fortunately, a few people have stepped up to pinch-write and supply solid content for this site. Today I’m sharing a piece on goal setting from Paul Levitin that I think will resonate with many of you.
Quitters are winners: when is it okay to give up?
“Quitters never win, and winners never quit.” It’s the ultimate motivational cliché. You’ve heard it before, and I’ve said it plenty of times. There’s a lot of truth in that idea. It’s true most of the time, but not always.
The hard truth is that nothing is set in stone. There are exceptions to every rule. That’s not a mind game—it’s reality.
I do agree with the spirit of never giving up. I enjoy a good David Goggins or Andy Frisella rant as much as the next person. It’s motivating: if you don’t quit, you can keep moving toward success. Consistency is a powerful principle that works across fitness, money, relationships, and life in general. But what if it doesn’t?
There are times when quitting is actually the right move. Sometimes continuing a plan that isn’t working wastes time, energy, money, and other resources, even if you might call the result “successful” later on.
So the old line should be softened: quitters rarely win, and winners rarely quit—but they do quit sometimes. The point is to know when that moment comes.
So how can you tell the difference?
Here are three questions to help you decide whether to push forward or move on to your next pursuit:
1) Is it impossible, or improbable?
Improbable can feel almost impossible, but it isn’t the same thing. Some things truly are impossible, no amount of effort can change that. For example, at 32, learning a sport from scratch is hard but possible with time, coaching, and dedication. It could take years, but it’s within the realm of possibility.
Trying to become a 6’7” “LeBron Levitin” is an impossible goal, no matter how long you train. That’s a sunk cost—the time you’ve already invested doesn’t change the odds.
2) Is it a bad goal, or is it just hard?
Goals can be hard without being bad. When a goal is very hard, you might feel regret or doubt. The body’s instinct is to seek safety and avoid discomfort. Distinguish between quitting because the goal isn’t right for you and quitting because the challenge is simply hard. If the goal will truly benefit you in the long run, push through; if not, it might be best to stop.
3) Have I given it enough time?
Time is precious. We don’t want to waste it, but some things need time to unfold. If you’ve been on a workout program for three weeks and haven’t seen changes, you may need more time. If eight months have passed with no results and you’re hoping month nine will be different, it’s worth reevaluating. There’s no universal rule for how long to give something. It depends on the goal and the area of life. If it’s worth the effort, stay with it; if not, move on.
This is a good moment to reconnect with your why.
Final thoughts
You aren’t broken for wanting to quit. It’s human nature, and it happens to everyone. You can persevere and do hard things. Sometimes, though, the best choice is to move on and explore other opportunities. Don’t feel bad about it, and don’t cling to the idea that quitting is a failure. Be honest with yourself and explore the deeper reasons behind your urge to quit, and you’ll usually know what the right answer is.
About the author
Paul Levitin spent a decade as a personal trainer and strength coach, becoming the top trainer in his company and earning more than 30 certificates. He then studied behavior change and became a board-licensed health and wellness coach. He founded The Healthy Happy Human Academy to help clients overcome self-sabotage and perfectionism, so they can build a healthier, happier life. He aims to bridge fitness and nutrition for people who want to move more, feel better, and live longer. He hosts The Healthy Happy Human Podcast and runs The Healthy Happy Human Academy Facebook Group.
