Counting the Cost: Why Quitting Your Job, Goals, or On Yourself Can Hold You Back Artwork

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Counting the Cost: Why Quitting Your Job, Goals, or On Yourself Can Hold You Back

January 06, 2025 • John Reyes • Episode 2

ld You Back," three key subjects stand out as fundamental to understanding the broader impact of giving up on these critical areas of life:

1. The Emotional and Psychological Toll of Giving Up

Loss of Confidence: Quitting on yourself, your goals, or your job can create a pattern of self-doubt. When you walk away, especially during challenging times, it reinforces a belief that you’re incapable of overcoming obstacles. This erosion of self-esteem can make it harder to face future challenges.
Regret and "What Could Have Been": The emotional aftermath of quitting is often filled with regret, as you might question what you could have achieved if you had persevered. Over time, this regret can turn into a mental burden, impacting your happiness and motivation.
Impact on Mental Resilience: Enduring and overcoming struggles builds mental toughness. Quitting halts this growth, leaving you less prepared to handle difficulties in other areas of life.

2. The Practical Costs of Abandoning Goals or Stability

Financial Instability: Quitting a job or abandoning a career path prematurely can have immediate and long-term financial repercussions. This can disrupt savings, future plans, and your overall sense of security.
Lost Time and Momentum: Walking away from your goals means forfeiting the time and effort you’ve already invested. Progress takes time, and quitting often means starting over, putting you further away from where you want to be.
Missed Opportunities: Every goal, job, or personal endeavor comes with hidden opportunities for growth, networking, and unexpected success. By quitting, you shut the door on these possibilities, which may not present themselves again.

3. The Rewards of Perseverance and Belief in Yourself

Personal Growth and Resilience: Staying committed to your goals, job, or self-development—even during tough times—helps you develop critical life skills like perseverance, adaptability, and problem-solving. These qualities become invaluable in achieving success and navigating future challenges.
Fulfillment and Success: Most accomplishments come from consistent effort and patience. Quitting often means forfeiting the potential rewards that come with pushing through difficulties, whether they’re financial, personal, or emotional.
Aligning with Purpose: Believing in yourself and sticking to your dreams allows you to explore your true potential. It’s in the process of persistence that you often discover your deeper purpose, bringing long-term satisfaction and meaning to your life.

These three subjects emphasize the multifaceted cost of quitting and highlight the importance of perseverance. Together, they paint a picture of how quitting can hold you back not just in the moment, but also in the long-term trajectory of your personal and professional life.

Relentless People

Mission Statement

To inspire, empower, and guide individuals to cultivate a relentless mindset that enables them to overcome obstacles, pursue their goals with purpose, and live a life of resilience, discipline, and passion. Through impactful content, we provide the tools, strategies, and motivation needed to unlock their full potential and redefine what is possible.

Vision Statement

To create a global community of relentless individuals who challenge limitations, embrace growth, and lead with purpose. By fostering resilience, discipline, and unwavering determination, we aim to transform lives, inspire action, and build a world where people relentlessly pursue their dreams and make a meaningful impact.

Core Values

Resilience: We believe challenges are opportunities to gro

Counting the Cost: Why Quitting Your Job, Goals, or On Yourself Can Hold You Back

(Relentless People Podcast)

Introduction
Welcome to this episode, "Counting the Cost: Why Quitting Your Job, Goals, or On Yourself Can Hold You Back."Today, we’re diving into something deeply personal, something that resonates with every single one of us at some point in life: the temptation to quit. Whether it’s walking away from a tough job, putting aside a goal that seems too far out of reach, or, hardest of all, giving up on yourself, the truth is, the decision to quit is never easy. It feels heavy, complicated, and sometimes necessary. But what if we could take a moment to step back, to reflect not on the pain of the moment, but on the cost of the choice? What if we could look beyond the immediate relief that quitting might bring and see the bigger picture?

I want to start by saying this: life is hard. Challenges have a way of knocking the wind out of us when we least expect it. And when those challenges come, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, to wonder if it’s all worth it, to think maybe, just maybe, letting go is the best way forward. You’re not alone in that. You’re not weak or failing for feeling this way. You’re human. But here’s where I want to be a friend to you today—the kind of friend who doesn’t judge but gently asks, “What’s really at stake here? What might you lose if you decide to quit? And more importantly, what could you gain if you choose to stay?”

Quitting often promises relief. It whispers to us that stepping away will ease the weight we carry, that the struggle we’re in will end if we just let go. And sometimes, yes, there are moments when quitting is the right decision, when walking away is about moving toward something better. But other times, it’s not about relief or growth; it’s about fear. Fear of failing. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the hard work it takes to climb the next mountain. In those moments, quitting doesn’t set us free—it holds us back. It robs us of the chance to see what’s on the other side of perseverance. It takes away the growth, the resilience, and the joy that come from overcoming.

Think about this for a moment: every great success story, every achievement we admire, every dream realized, has one thing in common. It didn’t come easy. The people who inspire us, the ones we look up to, didn’t have a secret formula or a shortcut to avoid struggle. They faced setbacks. They battled doubts. They wanted to quit just like you might want to quit right now. But they didn’t. They counted the cost. They saw the value in staying the course, even when it felt impossible.

And you have that same strength inside of you. You might not feel it right now, but it’s there. That determination, that grit, that fire—it’s in you. It’s waiting for you to trust it, to lean into it, to believe that you are capable of more than you know. I’m not here to tell you that sticking it out is always easy. It’s not. I’m here to tell you that it’s worth it.

So, let’s talk about this together. Let’s explore the emotional and practical costs of quitting, the ripple effects it can have, and the incredible rewards that come from holding on. Whether you’re thinking about leaving your job, stepping away from a goal, or even doubting your own worth, I want you to hear this: you are not alone. And you are so much stronger than you realize.

This isn’t about shaming you or telling you what to do. It’s about holding up a mirror and helping you see the incredible potential that lies within you. It’s about helping you make a decision that, no matter how hard it feels right now, you’ll look back on one day with pride. Because you chose not to quit. You chose to keep going. And you chose to believe in yourself.

Let’s dive in.

The Emotional and Psychological Toll of Giving Up

Let’s take a moment to sit together and talk about something deeply personal and important: the emotional and psychological toll of giving up. This isn’t about judgment or pointing fingers—it’s about having an honest, heartfelt conversation like friends do when one of them is struggling. Because we’ve all been there, facing a decision that feels overwhelming, wondering if we’re strong enough to keep going. And sometimes, in those moments, quitting feels like the easiest—or even the only—option. But before we make that choice, let’s unpack what giving up can mean, not just for today, but for the person you’re becoming.

The Loss of Confidence

When we quit—whether it’s on a job, a goal, or even on ourselves—it does something quietly profound to our confidence. In that moment, we tell ourselves a story: that the challenge was too big, that we weren’t enough, that the obstacle won. And that story can take root. It’s subtle at first, almost imperceptible, but over time it grows louder. It whispers, “You see? You couldn’t handle it. You weren’t cut out for this.” And soon, it doesn’t just apply to the thing you walked away from—it spills into everything else.

The next time you face a tough situation, that voice will remind you of the time you quit before. And suddenly, the belief that you’re capable of overcoming challenges feels just a little more fragile. Confidence isn’t something we’re born with in infinite supply; it’s something we build, brick by brick, every time we push through adversity. And when we give up, we lose some of those bricks, making the foundation just a little less sturdy. It’s not that you can’t rebuild—it’s just that the rebuilding takes effort, time, and sometimes an incredible amount of grace toward yourself.

But here’s the beautiful thing: confidence is also resilient. The very act of acknowledging the times you’ve doubted yourself can be a step toward reclaiming it. Every day, every decision, every challenge is an opportunity to write a new story—one where you are the hero, facing down whatever life throws at you with courage and determination.

Regret and "What Could Have Been"

Regret is a weight like no other. It doesn’t show up immediately after you walk away—it creeps in later, often when you least expect it. You’ll be sitting quietly, and a thought will strike: What if I had kept going? Where could I be now? And that’s the thing about regret—it’s not a fleeting feeling. It lingers. It plants itself in the corners of your mind and grows roots, feeding on every missed opportunity and unfulfilled dream.

Regret isn’t just about the thing you gave up on; it becomes a lens through which you view yourself. You start to wonder if you’re someone who settles, someone who lets fear or fatigue dictate your choices. And that mental burden? It’s exhausting. It pulls at your motivation, making it harder to take bold steps in the future because the fear of failing again feels overwhelming.

But here’s the truth I want you to hold onto: it’s never too late to turn regret into action. You might have stepped away once, but that doesn’t define you. What defines you is what you do next. If there’s something you’ve left behind that still tugs at your heart, consider this your sign to pick it back up. Or, if you’re standing at a crossroads right now, let the thought of future regret be the nudge you need to persevere. Your future self will thank you for staying the course, even when it feels impossibly hard.

The Impact on Mental Resilience

One of the most profound gifts of life’s challenges is the strength they build within us. Every time you face a tough situation and choose to keep going, you’re strengthening a muscle you can’t see: your mental resilience. This resilience isn’t just about handling one specific challenge—it’s about equipping yourself to face whatever comes next. Life will always bring new storms, but with resilience, you learn to stand firm, knowing you’ve weathered rough waters before.

When we quit, we miss out on this growth. It’s like walking away from the gym before finishing a workout. Sure, you avoid the immediate discomfort, but you also forfeit the long-term strength that would have come from pushing through. Resilience isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you earn. And every time you persevere, you’re not just solving the problem in front of you—you’re preparing yourself for future challenges.

I know it’s hard. I know the struggle can feel endless. But I also know this: there’s a version of you on the other side of this moment who is stronger, wiser, and more capable than you can imagine. That version of you is cheering for you right now, whispering, Don’t give up. You’ve got this. And you do. You truly do.

Life isn’t easy, my friend, but it’s worth it. The challenges we face, the battles we fight, the perseverance we muster—they’re all part of a bigger story. A story where you emerge victorious, not because the journey was smooth, but because you had the courage to keep walking the path. So, let’s take a deep breath, hold onto hope, and choose to keep going, together.

The Practical Costs of Abandoning Goals or Stability

Let’s take a moment to talk about something that often feels heavy but is so important to consider when we face tough decisions: the practical costs of abandoning our goals or the stability we’ve worked so hard to build. Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes the temptation to step away from a job, a career path, or a deeply personal goal feels overwhelming. But before we make those choices, let’s explore what’s truly at stake—not to judge, but to help you see the full picture, the ripple effects that may not be obvious right away.

Financial Instability: The Hidden Ripples of Stepping Away

Money isn’t everything, but let’s be honest: financial stability is a cornerstone of so much in our lives. It’s what allows us to provide for ourselves and our loved ones, to dream bigger dreams, and to create a sense of security in a world that can feel anything but secure. When you quit a job or abandon a career path prematurely, it can disrupt this delicate balance in ways that might not be immediately visible.

Think about your savings, your financial goals, and the plans you’ve made for the future. Quitting can create a gap in income that not only impacts your present but also sets back your ability to invest in your future—whether it’s buying a home, starting a business, or simply having the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re prepared for life’s unexpected moments. And it’s not just the immediate financial hit; it’s the compounding effect of lost opportunities to grow your wealth and build a foundation for what’s ahead.

But here’s the thing: this isn’t about trapping yourself in a job or career that doesn’t align with your values or goals. It’s about being strategic and thoughtful. If you’re considering a change, take the time to plan. Create a safety net. Think about how you can transition in a way that preserves your financial stability while moving you closer to where you want to be. Stability doesn’t mean settling—it means giving yourself the resources and confidence to take your next step without fear.

Lost Time and Momentum: The Cost of Starting Over

Let’s talk about time. It’s one of the most valuable resources we have, and once it’s gone, we can’t get it back. When you’ve poured hours, days, or even years into a goal, a job, or a project, walking away doesn’t just mean leaving behind the tangible work—you’re also forfeiting the momentum you’ve built. And momentum is powerful. It’s what carries you through the tough times, what helps you push past obstacles, and what makes progress feel like it’s finally within reach.

When you quit, you often have to start over from scratch. That can be a daunting prospect. All the experience you’ve gained, the connections you’ve made, the progress you’ve fought for—it gets put on pause. And the further you move from the work you’ve done, the harder it can be to pick it back up again. It’s like rolling a boulder uphill, only to let it roll back down. Starting again requires even more energy than pushing through the hard parts of where you already are.

But here’s the flip side: if you’ve already invested so much time and effort, doesn’t it make sense to see how much further you can go? To hold onto the progress you’ve made and use it as a springboard, rather than letting it go to waste? Every step forward, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goal. Sometimes, all it takes is one more push to break through the toughest part of the journey.

Missed Opportunities: The Doors You Don’t See Until You Walk Through Them

This might be the most heartbreaking cost of quitting: the opportunities you never even knew existed. Every job, every goal, every endeavor comes with hidden possibilities—ones that only reveal themselves when you’re in the thick of the work. It might be a chance encounter with someone who changes your life. It might be a breakthrough idea that propels you to the next level. It might be a moment of growth that shows you just how capable you really are. These opportunities are like gifts waiting to be unwrapped, but they don’t come to those who walk away too soon.

When you quit, you close the door on these possibilities. You’ll never know what could have been, and that “what if” can linger. But when you choose to stay, even when it’s hard, you give yourself the chance to discover what’s on the other side. Maybe it’s a promotion you didn’t see coming. Maybe it’s a connection that leads to something extraordinary. Maybe it’s simply the satisfaction of knowing you stuck it out and found success in your own way.

And here’s the beautiful part: you don’t have to wait for something big to happen to know that staying the course was worth it. Every day you choose to keep going is an opportunity to grow, to learn, and to build a future that’s richer and more fulfilling than you imagined.

A Thought to Hold Onto

I know these decisions aren’t easy. Life is full of gray areas, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But my hope for you is that you take a moment to pause, to reflect on what you’ve built, and to ask yourself what’s truly worth holding onto. The practical costs of quitting are real, but so is your ability to navigate challenges, to adapt, and to find your way forward.

You’re stronger than you think, smarter than you give yourself credit for, and more resilient than you realize. And whatever you decide, know that you’re not alone. This journey isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. And you’re doing an incredible job, one step at a time.

The Rewards of Perseverance and Belief in Yourself

Let’s take a moment to dive into something truly transformative: the rewards of perseverance and belief in yourself. This isn’t just about gritting your teeth and muscling through life’s challenges—it’s about what happens when you decide to hold on, when you choose to trust in your potential, and when you give yourself the grace to keep moving forward, even when the road feels impossibly hard. If you’re listening right now and thinking, I don’t know if I have it in me to keep going, let me tell you this: you do. And what’s waiting for you on the other side of perseverance is worth every bit of the struggle.

Personal Growth and Resilience: The Gifts of Staying the Course

Let’s start with growth. It’s one of the most incredible gifts perseverance gives us, and yet it’s so easy to overlook when we’re in the middle of the storm. Staying committed to your goals, your career, or your self-development—even when it feels like the odds are stacked against you—does something remarkable. It shapes you. It molds you into someone stronger, more capable, and more resilient than you were before.

Every challenge you face, every obstacle you overcome, teaches you something new about yourself. You learn how to adapt when plans don’t go the way you’d hoped. You figure out how to solve problems you never thought you could tackle. And, most importantly, you realize that you’re far more capable than you ever gave yourself credit for.

Resilience isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build, one step at a time, every time you choose to keep going. And the thing about resilience is that it doesn’t just help you in this moment; it prepares you for everything that comes after. Life is full of ups and downs, and the ability to navigate those twists and turns with strength and grace is priceless. So, when you feel like giving up, remind yourself that you’re not just working toward a goal—you’re building a foundation of resilience that will carry you through every challenge life throws your way.

Fulfillment and Success: The Rewards of Consistency

Now let’s talk about success and fulfillment. These words often get thrown around, but what do they really mean? Success isn’t just about hitting milestones or reaching the finish line—it’s about the journey it takes to get there. And fulfillment? That’s the deep sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing you gave your all, that you stayed true to your values, and that you didn’t let fear or frustration hold you back.

Most of the accomplishments we admire in others—whether it’s a thriving career, a strong relationship, or a personal achievement—didn’t come overnight. They came from consistent effort, from showing up every day, even when it was hard. Quitting might feel like the easier choice in the moment, but it often means walking away from the rewards that come from pushing through the difficulties.

Think about the times in your life when you stuck with something, even when it wasn’t easy. Maybe it was a tough project at work, a challenging relationship, or a personal goal you weren’t sure you could achieve. How did it feel when you made it to the other side? That sense of pride, of accomplishment, of knowing you didn’t give up—that’s what success and fulfillment are all about. And the best part? Those rewards aren’t just external. They’re internal. They change the way you see yourself, the way you approach challenges, and the way you show up in the world.

Aligning with Purpose: Discovering Your True Potential

Finally, let’s talk about purpose. This is where perseverance and belief in yourself become truly life-changing. When you choose to stick to your dreams, when you refuse to let go of what matters to you, you start to uncover something deeper. You begin to discover who you really are and what you’re capable of. And that discovery? It’s one of the most profound experiences you can have.

Purpose isn’t something that’s handed to you—it’s something you find in the process of living, learning, and persevering. It’s the result of pushing through the doubts and fears, of staying committed to what lights you up inside. And when you align with your purpose, something incredible happens. Life starts to feel more meaningful. Your work, your relationships, your goals—they all take on a new depth, a new significance, because they’re rooted in who you truly are.

Believing in yourself isn’t just about achieving external success—it’s about giving yourself the chance to explore your full potential. It’s about realizing that you are capable of more than you ever imagined. And when you live from that place of purpose, you don’t just transform your own life—you inspire everyone around you to do the same.

A Friend’s Encouragement

So, my friend, if you’re standing at a crossroads right now, if you’re wondering whether to keep going or to walk away, I want you to take a deep breath and think about everything we’ve talked about today. This isn’t about pretending the road isn’t hard—it’s about recognizing that the hard parts are what make the journey worthwhile. It’s about knowing that every step forward, no matter how small, is a step toward growth, success, and purpose.

You are stronger than you know, and you are capable of incredible things. The rewards of perseverance and belief in yourself are waiting for you—on the other side of doubt, on the other side of fear, on the other side of this moment. Keep going. You’ve got this. And I’ll be here, cheering you on every step of the way.

Conclusion:

As we wrap up today’s episode, "Counting the Cost: Why Quitting Your Job, Goals, or On Yourself Can Hold You Back,"I want to leave you with something to carry in your heart—something that reminds you of just how much strength and potential you truly have. Because here’s the truth: life will always bring challenges, moments when quitting feels like the only way out. But it’s in those moments, in the tension between staying and walking away, that your story is being written. And you, my friend, are the author of that story.

We’ve talked today about the emotional and psychological toll of giving up, how it can chip away at your confidence and leave behind regret that lingers. We’ve explored the practical costs—the time, the momentum, and the opportunities that can slip through our fingers when we step away too soon. And we’ve uncovered the incredible rewards of perseverance: the growth, the resilience, the fulfillment, and the purpose that come when you believe in yourself and stay the course.

But if there’s one thing I hope you take away from our time together today, it’s this: quitting isn’t just about a momentary decision—it’s about what you’re choosing to leave behind. It’s about the potential you might never realize, the growth you might never experience, and the victories you might never celebrate. And while the road ahead might feel uncertain, there’s so much waiting for you if you just take one more step.

Think about the dreams that live in your heart, the goals you’ve set for yourself, the life you’ve imagined. They’re not there by accident. Those dreams were planted in you for a reason, and you owe it to yourself to see what’s possible. It won’t always be easy. In fact, it might be one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. But it will also be one of the most rewarding. Because every time you push through, every time you choose to keep going, you’re proving to yourself that you are capable of more than you ever thought possible.

And here’s the best part: you don’t have to do it alone. Life is not a solo journey, and neither is chasing your dreams. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, who cheer you on when you’re too tired to cheer for yourself. Seek out those who inspire you, who remind you of your strength when you forget it. And if you ever feel like the world is too heavy, remember that you have the power to lighten your own load by leaning on the people who love you.

So, my friend, as you move forward, I want you to ask yourself one question: What would happen if I didn’t give up?What could you create, achieve, or discover about yourself if you held on just a little longer? Imagine the pride you’ll feel, the stories you’ll tell, the legacy you’ll leave. Imagine the lives you’ll touch simply because you didn’t quit.

You are resilient. You are strong. And no matter what challenges you face, you have what it takes to rise above them. Remember, every obstacle is an opportunity to grow, every setback is a setup for a comeback, and every step forward—no matter how small—is progress.

I’m John Reyes, your host of the Relentless People Podcast, and it has been an honor to walk this journey with you today. If this episode resonated with you, if it gave you even a sliver of hope or encouragement, I want you to carry that with you into tomorrow, into next week, into the next chapter of your life.

You are relentless. Keep going. Keep believing. And keep chasing the incredible life you were meant to live. Until next time, stay strong, stay inspired, and remember—you’ve got this.

Relentless People

Mission Statement

Vision Statement

Core Values

Resilience: We believe challenges are opportunities to grow stronger, and we embrace setbacks as stepping stones to success.
Discipline: We emphasize the importance of consistent, intentional action as the foundation for achieving greatness.
Purpose: Everything we do is guided by a clear “why.” We encourage others to discover and live by their purpose to fuel their relentless journey.
Empowerment: We are dedicated to equipping individuals with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to take control of their lives and achieve their goals.
Authenticity: We value honesty and vulnerability, understanding that true growth comes from acknowledging struggles and embracing the process of becoming relentless.
Inspiration: We aim to spark passion and motivate others by sharing transformative stories, lessons, and actionable insights.
Community: We foster a supportive, like-minded community that uplifts, encourages, and celebrates the relentless spirit in everyone.

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