Sometimes, the biggest thing standing in the way of success is success. That is, things that have worked for us so far take time and attention away from even better things. Sticking with the status quo stalls progress.
This idea strikes close to home. Not that I’ve been wildly successful, but I’m tenacious. While that’s usually considered a good trait, it also means I often stick with things too long — at the expense of things that could offer better returns on my time and energy.
In any case, it’s been on my mind because in episode 19 of Traction Heroes, Harry sprung on me a short passage from an unexpected book. Here’s the passage — see if you can guess where it’s from:
When you feel a path you’ve chosen has reached its conclusion, whether that’s a job, a relationship, or a hobby that no longer excites or challenges you, it can be tempting to put off ending what you’ve stuck with for so long. But in doing so, we miss the chance to reinvent ourselves to live fully as we cycle through life’s seasons.
That’s one of the most succinct and insightful articulations of the idea I’ve heard. And here’s the kicker: it comes from a book called What Would Harry Do?: Lessons for Living Like a Hero from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter by Juliana Sharaf.
You read that right: Harry Potter. Not the sort of text Harry (Max) and I usually discuss. But like I said, it’s a lovely passage — and it led to a deep and revealing conversation about what it takes to move on. Highly recommended.