You know, sometimes we’re passionate about things that we really want to do, but then we start chugging along, realizing that this is something that we shouldn’t waste our time on. Unfortunately, far too many people continue to chip away when they really just need to stop.
When I was younger, I used to play a lot of poker. In Kenny Rogers’ song, The Gambler, he talks about how you need to know when to fold them. I think this line is excellent advice for both work and life. There are times when you just need to toss in the cards and start a new hand. Sometimes whatever you’re doing isn’t worth it. There’s no point going down that path anymore. It could be on a project that you’re working on or trying to motivate an individual team member, or completing some task, but eventually, you might need to decide to fold.
Folding Isn’t the End
Some people are afraid to fold. They plug along, blindly doing something that everyone else around them knows that they shouldn’t do anymore. Why did they do this? Well, they do it because they think that there is no reason not to continue forward – they’re committed. Unfortunately, that blinds a lot of people. It’s okay to start something and realize partway through that this is not the right approach, and you need to pivot or course correct. You sometimes need to stop doing something so you can focus on other things that provide more value.
Fold a Hand to Win a Hand
Timing is everything. Sometimes it’s better in poker to fold a hand now so you can win later with a different hand. When I’m playing poker, one of the things I ask myself, “Is this the hand I want to lose with?” Sometimes it is, and that’s that opportunity where you need to go all-in, but there are other times where this isn’t the right opportunity. I think the same applies both in business and in life. You need to decide if this is the opportunity to make a stand or just something where you need to throw in the cards and start again. Only you can answer that question. Sure, you can get advice from other people, and they can tell you which way to go or not and what you should do, but this is ultimately your choice.
Final Thoughts
It’s your life, so you need to choose what you do. You can play with the cards you were dealt with, but it doesn’t mean you need to end the game with those cards. Pick your spots and decide whether you need to give up or start something new. Maybe the next hand you pick up lets you succeed in a different way you never thought possible.
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