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I used to obsess about stuff – a book, a project … By obsess I mean, that when I started something I had to finish it, no matter if I was enjoying it or not – in my mind, if I started, I must finish. I read many books that I disliked or bored me to death, just because I started them. Some people may think, “well that is not so bad; I wish I could finish stuff.” It is bad when it sends you thru the path of a wrong career, and in the middle of your studies, you know it is the wrong path, but you keep on, because you started and must finish. It is bad, when you doubt your instincts, your inner voice, because you must finish what you started, even when you know that may not be the right thing or path for you. It is bad, when something that you enjoyed when you started it, does not fit your goals or persona anymore, but you must finish because you never leave things unfinished.
There are many instances when quitting is the right option, and maybe the only option, if you want to move ahead. When something does not lift your spirit anymore and becomes a burden, maybe it is time to take a look and ask why? Answering why is important because it will let you know if it is just a temporary stale situation, or if you have gone on the wrong direction, and must adjust your step, or stop walking on that direction entirely. Sometimes, it is just a matter of perspective, and there is no need to quit; other times, quitting will be necessary for growth.
When I realized that doing something just for the sake of doing it, without meaning, without direction, without desire or passion, or without love, that is when I stopped reading the book that bored me half way, working at the wrong career, and just doing things that killed my spirit. However, before you quit, you have to know your new direction, you have to know where you are headed, and be sure of the why; otherwise, you may regret it.
So, when is quitting the right option? When you know that continuing in that path will only hurt your spirit, your self, your soul, and when you have the answer to the question Why? … and when you know that you have a sense of where your next path begins – even when sometimes, you may not know right away where it will take you. However, before you quit, you must first turn around, and STOP!
Inkspeare 
This probably happens very often with writing. I don’t like to be 30,000 words into something and all the sudden lose my passion. When this happens I say to myself ‘anyone can come up with an idea but a creative person can make it live.” Writers fancy themselves as creative – so get busy. Wow! Now I got the passion back.
I’m currently writing a novel started ten years ago. I lost the only two chapters and forgot about it. My son said a year ago “remember that idea you had for a book, I think you should write it.”
I started back in July and outlined it for about 80,000 words. I’m at least 60,000 into it and see no end in sight.
There have been a couple of times I thought about quitting. That occurs when my characters are not doing something. So I make them get up off their duffs and do something, even if it takes a bolt of lightening. After all, in my creative world I can make anything happen.
So sometimes when my characters stop. That’s a great time for me to arrange for them to be rear-ended.
Kenton Lewis
Listen to your son, write your story; but also find your Why for writing that story. When you know why you want to write, it is fuel that propels you through your work. It also makes it real for you. Your Why helps you walk the path as well, and when you feel like quitting, just think of your Why.
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