No one likes a quitter, and yet few suffer fools gladly. When it comes to crusading for an idea that’s not working, how do you know if you’re quitting too early or hanging on foolishly for too long?
The idea you’re pursuing might be an ambitious and noble initiative to change some rooted behavior among employees – for example, getting them to freely share information– or it could be a personal venture such as starting your own business now that you are unemployed.
Consider the first idea, the organization initiative. When you first proposed it, perhaps you assumed you had your boss’ endorsement because he did not stop your forward motion. Consequently, you jumped headfirst into your project, formed a committee, involved the consulting firm, and assigned an intern to research vendor software.
After a month, you’re baffled that your colleagues have yet to share your excitement. Attendance at meetings is spotty. And it’s difficult to get time with your boss to present updates.
Switch to the new business idea. You interpreted your spouse’s relative silence as positive when you detailed the rationale and benefits of working for yourself. You talked it out with – actually argued it to – your friends who vicariously cheered you on, and you laid down a thousand bucks for office equipment, subscriptions, and the like.
But, three months later, you’ve yet to win your first customer, your employed friends who said, sure, we can put you in touch with the right people in our organizations, haven’t, and your spouse has taken a part-time teller job at the bank.
Consequently, your passion has been slowly evaporating, though you’re reluctant to admit it because your determination is holding its own, mostly. Insecurity, frustration, and thoughts of possible failure are seeping in. What do you do: persevere or punt?
Backtracking is difficult. Among the reasons:
1. You’re embarrassed to admit failure.
You made a public commitment of faith, and yet now you are a closet-doubter. That idea sounded so convincing, so right back then – though not so convincing or right that others joined you as co-laborers or investors. Now, flustered and feeling awkward, your earlier enthusiasm is turning to explanations and excuses. You blame circumstances and other resistors for hampering your success.
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Excuses and blame are signs that it is time to make a u-turn and head back to where you started.
2. Your idea is about to turn the corner and simply needs more time.
What are the indicators that it is about to turn, and how much more time would you need? Maybe you don’t know the answers because your zeal for the idea excused you from careful planning for contingencies and measurement. You admit that you should have researched the audience and market conditions, should have added more resources, should have, should have.
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Too many should-haves probably means taking the u-turn and either regrouping or starting over.
3 You don’t have a Plan B.
You staked your claim on the original idea because it seemed solid and workable – at least to you. It got you so excited that you lost perspective and flexibility. You thought that your enthusiasm would be contagious and that logic would prevail. So, you put aside your other projects or your job search, and now getting back to normal is unappetizing. Discouragement has weakened you.
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Congratulations: You were willing to take a risk, and you learned its definition first-hand: risk means failure – but maybe there’s a slim chance it won’t. Make the u-turn, then disassemble and reassemble the idea.
What to do with an idea that’s not working
1. Rethink, don’t abandon it. Credit yourself with having a good idea that could succeed if seen from a different angle, executed in another way, repackaged, or postponed to a time when the environment is more conducive.
2. Admit to yourself and others that it was a good idea but you could not get it airborne. Hold yourself accountable. Make no excuses. Accept blame but not shame.
3. Ask others to teach you. What did they hear when you evangelized the idea that they didn’t tell you because you wouldn’t listen? What would they have done differently if they were you?
4. On a 3×5 card you carry in your pocket or purse, record your random thoughts over time on what motives, both professional and personal, prompted you to veer off in the direction you did, and what changes you need to make over time to ensure that, when you venture out again – and you likely will – you are better prepared to succeed.
5. Or … don’t quit on the idea. Believe that you can recoup, resist the naysayers, make personal sacrifices, and possibly be the exception who succeeds.
Richard Skaare 04.21.09
Photo credit: SiGMan
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