Knowing when to quit separates winners from losers. Those who spend years pursuing lost causes can waste their lives. Others who leave gracefully and move on understand that the world is full of opportunities, and know that sheer stubbornness for its own sake is foolish.
A couple of years ago I backed a play called Onassis in London’s West End. As ever, it was launched with great optimism. But the reviews were mediocre and the box office takings poor. Soon the choice came: should we put in more money to fund additional marketing, or accept that the show wasn’t good enough and close? I’m relieved to say that we shut, took the pain – and learnt a few lessons from the experience.
Whether it’s selling or shutting a business, leaving a job or ending a relationship, deciding when and if to let go makes all the difference. As they say, timing is everything.