I

June 6th

WHEN TO STICK AND WHEN TO QUIT

“Think of those who, not by fault of inconsistency but by lack of

effort, are too unstable to live as they wish, but only live as they

have begun.”

—SENECA, ON TRANQUILITY OF MIND, 2.6b

n The Dip, Seth Godin draws an interesting analogy from the three types
of people you see in line at the supermarket. One gets in a short line and
sticks to it no matter how slow it is or how much faster the others seem to
be going. Another changes lines repeatedly based on whatever he thinks
might save a few seconds. And a third switches only once—when it’s clear
her line is delayed and there is a clear alternative—and then continues with
her day. He’s urging you to ask: Which type are you?
Seneca is also advising us to be this third type. Just because you’ve
begun down one path doesn’t mean you’re committed to it forever,
especially if that path turns out to be flawed or impeded. At that same time,
this is not an excuse to be flighty or incessantly noncommittal. It takes
courage to decide to do things differently and to make a change, as well as
discipline and awareness to know that the notion of “Oh, but this looks even
better” is a temptation that cannot be endlessly indulged either.