Throughout our lives, we will face a number of challenges. As much as we’d love everything to just run smoothly – its a very rare (and sometimes scary) thing to happen. Along the way, we will have several moments of wondering… have we had enough?
When is it time to call it?
This can relate to damn near anything, honestly. From relationships, to jobs, to business ventures and even our participation within this lifestyle. For some even, it could be life in general.
When it is enough?
Truth is, I don’t know if I have the answer to this.
I have held on too long in some areas, while not holding on long enough. Yet, there have been times when I have held on long enough to see the fruits of my labor… and honestly, it is those times that often help keep me pushing further.
They say hope is the most powerful thing we have as humans. Some would argue it’s also the most foolish thing we can have… Hope can fuel us to keep going when all the evidence seems to suggest we stop. But is hope enough to help us decide when we’ve had enough?
I do think it’s wise to look at the evidence, and to do so as objectively as we can. Take hope out of the equation… are we seeing any progress at all? I don’t mean like immediate results – if you are expecting anything to happen overnight, you’re in for a rude awakening. Hell, even the worst outcomes often take a while to build.
I think whatever you are doing, you need to give as much as you can to it for a while. Don’t give up too soon with unrealistic expectations. The key is to find areas that you can track to see if there is any progress along the way.
With things like careers and business ventures, you definitely have measurables. But do you have that in things like relationships? I think you do, but it’s more about paying attention to what issues are actually getting resolved.
When it’s all said and done, it comes down to one thing – for each and every one of us – and that is that gut feeling. We often inheritly know when it’s time to say “enough.” Yet far too often, we talk ourselves into sticking with it just a bit longer. Perhaps it’s the head, or maybe it’s the heart – and most certainly it’s always laced with some level of hope.
But in the end, we know. We know when we have given enough and just aren’t seeing the progress we need to continue.
Whatever you are going through… if you are wondering if it’s been enough… stop debating it in your head and being led all over the place with your heart. Your gut will always tell you the truth – if only you will listen to it.
Am I saying you should give up? Oh hell no. I am NOT your gut. If your gut says keep going, then refocus on what you need to do to start making the changes you need to make to get where you want to go. But if your gut is telling you that you’ve ran your course, and it’s time for change… listen to it.
Only you can make that determination. I wish you the best in whatever direction you choose to go.
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