Tomorrow, January 10th, marks the annual recognition of Quitter’s Day.

Today, I rant from my personal soapbox to reframe thoughts and deeds that precede a Quit. I mutter about those Babylonians who conceived New Year’s Day in the first place and time (2,000 years before the Messiah.) Curses to whoever researched that 3/4ths of resolvers quit by the second Friday in January.

#$%&

You know, that 4-letter word, q-u-i-t, is not all bad. Take, for example, Dry January. What’s not to like about letting go of that adult beverage for a spell? Or, how about quitting an unhealthy NETFLIX binge, as far too many of us engaged in for the CoVid-19 pandemic?

You may know by now, that I am fascinated by word origins, whether the words are “4 letters” or otherwise… The Latin word QUIT – as in let go, release, or discharge – rooted its way into useful words like: quite, unrequited, and acquit. As in – Johnny Cochrane’s testimonial quip during the OJ Simpson murder trial- “if the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”

Unrequited?

Discharging another example, most of us have heard of the phase, or experienced unrequited love. Unrequited love probably was the lyrical genesis of “LOVE HURTS” first performed by The Everly Brothers, and then by Nazareth. Don’t forget to work to sweat with your exertion if you find that your love is blue, or if you are hurtin’. Generate endophins, try to get quality sleep, and breathe, baby, breathe.

Reframe the Refrains

I implore you to invest less time on ” failure to achieve New Year’s goals” e around Quitter’s Day.

Rather, in a reframing sort of way, I ask you-if you are bummed by missing a Babylonian mark- to begin anew and to reinvest in your physical portfolio.

Shucks, I am pretty goal-oriented. Yet I miss a mark regularly. That’s life… Get back in the saddle. Get up again after you get knocked down, or after you miss the mark you set. As my Midshipmen’s Prayer went:

“if I miss the mark, give me the courage to try again.”

Please don’t dwell on a missed mark. Release it. Quit the look-back. Shift to adapt, learn, and advance.

Nunc Coepi

Whether you missed, or hit your bullseye – do remember this:

There is a reason why a minority of folks (~8-20 percent of us) will keep on keepin’ on after Quitters Day. Kudos to all who KEEP ON TRUCKIN’

Many in this minority, like me, plan their execution of small, realistic yet success-oriented goals that are timebound. They formalize or at least jot down a shorthand manifesto stating what they intend to achieve, by what date. They document and celebrate their successes.

If and when you journal (in some fashion) regularly, you won’t forget your demi-successes, or overlook their details. Trust me.

Bottom Line? Reframing can work for you, as it does for me, to meet or surpass most of your performance goals.

Adieu

Shifting from my soapbox, I close as we say goodbye to our 39th President, Jimmy Carter. He was known as a devoted volunteer, family man, and genteel Southerner. May he rest in peace.

Huzzah

Here’s to those magnificent fire crews and first responders who are saving what they can of Angelino neighborhoods and businesses as I type. They are STRONG to SAVE! They do not quit.