How to stay up when life isn’t going as planned.

It’s cliché to say life doesn’t always go as planned. Sometimes, it’s the relatively insignificant things that slow us down, like when childcare arrangements fall through at the last minute or when the dog eats the birthday cake you so carefully selected. But what about when your career seems to be in an extended stall pattern, or when the business you thought you wanted to run turns out to be more challenging than expected. More than an inconvenience, uncertainty surrounding our livelihood can put us in a funk. It’s during times like these—while we’re wondering whether to quit or stick it out—that we experience stress and burnout.

When you’re facing challenges at work, spinning your wheels in a dead-end job or are having a hard time getting traction for your new business, how do you know if you should redouble your efforts or throw in the towel? We’ve all heard the phrase, Quitters never win and winners never quit. But what if that’s not true? In The Dip, master marketer Seth Godin writes, “Strategic quitting is the secret of successful organizations. Reactive quitting and serial quitting are the bane of those who strive (and fail) to get what they want. And most people do just that. They quit when it’s painful and stick when they can’t be bothered to quit.”

Are you staying put in a dead-end job because it’s comfortable? Is your business stagnating or shrinking because of financial conditions or stiff competition? Are you considering starting your own business (again)? Whatever your circumstances, here are a few tips that may help you break through barriers. On the other hand, you may decide you don’t really want what you thought you wanted after all. Understanding yourself and the realities of your situation will help you regain control of your life and your attitude.

1. Get clear about what you really want, and know why you want it. Write down your desires and be specific. Take some time to step back from the day-to-day grind and evaluate why you’re at that company, doing that job, building that business or dreaming of becoming an entrepreneur. What do you want out of it? Are you getting what you want? And, if not, is it due to a temporary situation brought on by recent economic challenges, or is it because the opportunities surrounding your job, career or business are limited? Knowing the difference can help you make better decisions about your future.

2. Understand the required commitments before diving in. You’re less likely to be dissuaded by obstacles if you expect them from the outset. I recently interviewed Rachel Thebault, owner of Tribeca Treats. A former banker-turned-baker, Thebault is following her passion but admits entrepreneurship isn’t all roses… or cupcakes. “It’s not always easy or glamorous,” she says. (Watch for a profile on this entrepreneur in the coming weeks.)

If you’re striking out on your own or developing or selling a new product for an employer, do your research. Be sure you understand exactly how much money, energy and time you’ll need to devote to make it a success. If you’re not willing or able to give your business what it needs, you might be better off pursuing other options.

3. Find—or create—a niche.
Specialize. Get so good at one thing you become known as the expert in your industry. Both small-business owners and corporate employees often try to be too much to too many. By being a generalist, you run the risk of being average at everything—rather than spectacular at anything. Know your strengths, play to them, and quit spending time on things that aren’t helping you excel in your niche.

Recommended Reading:
The Dip by Seth Godin
Put Your Dream to the Test by John C. Maxwell
Sixteen Weeks to Your Dream Business by Nada Jones and Michelle Briody

Additional Reading

• Creating Job Security by Becoming the Boss
• Gearing up for a Great Year
• Eight Hours Can Change Your Life