Don’t Mistake Stubbornness for Grit: Know When to Move On With Grace
There’s a fine line between being gritty and being stuck.
Entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders are often celebrated for pushing through adversity—but sometimes, perseverance turns into denial. In reality, walking away from a misaligned path isn’t failure—it’s wisdom. If you’re questioning whether to keep going or pivot, this post is for you.
Let’s break it down.
1. Acknowledge Your Sunk Cost
A sunk cost is any cost—time, money, energy—that’s already been spent and can’t be recovered. For many founders or professionals deeply invested in a project or role, sunk cost becomes a trap. You might think, “I’ve put too much in to stop now.”
But here’s the truth: What you’ve spent shouldn’t dictate what you continue to spend.
Clinging to sunk costs is like trying to recover spilled water by squeezing the rug. It distracts from what actually matters: your future.
2. Understand Your Opportunity Cost
Opportunity cost is the value of what you’re missing out on by staying the course. Every “yes” to the wrong thing is a “no” to something potentially better aligned.
Most of us aren’t Elon Musk. We can’t do everything—and that’s okay. If you’re falling behind on basic responsibilities (like filing taxes or caring for your health), your life may already be telling you that your current path is unsustainable.
Time is finite. Make sure you’re spending it where it matters most.
3. Ask These Three Alignment Questions
If you’re on the fence about your path, these three questions can bring clarity:
i. Does this path bring me joy and satisfaction?
Don’t let the title of “founder” or “early employee” cloud your judgment. Just like being a model or a professional athlete, the startup life sounds glamorous from the outside—but the day-to-day can be grueling, lonely, and thankless.
If joy and satisfaction are completely missing, that’s not noble suffering—it’s a sign.
ii. Does this path align with my values?
If you haven’t defined your core values yet, do it now. Your values are your internal compass. They help you make the right call even when everything else feels uncertain.
When your work aligns with your values, you feel energized. When it doesn’t, even “success” can feel hollow.
iii. Does this path leverage my strengths?
Step back and assess: Are you hitting your goals? Making real progress? If not, is it a motivation issue—or are you operating outside your zone of strength?
You can’t do your best work where your natural talents are underused or ignored. Misalignment here creates constant friction—and eventually, burnout.
The Courage to Quit
Persistence is a virtue—but so is self-awareness. Sometimes, moving on is the smartest, bravest, most strategic thing you can do.
You’re not a failure for changing direction. You’re someone who values their time, their energy, and their future.
So ask yourself: Am I staying out of fear or alignment?
Don’t mistake stubbornness for grit. Move on with grace—and make room for what’s next.
