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Table of Contents

1. Preface

2. Main Article

3. Readers’ Favorite

4. Stuff

Preface

Winter in Boston is brutal.

The seasons here are extreme, and locals refer to it as "feeling the four seasons in Boston."

Some even break it down into mini-seasons like early spring, mid-spring, and late spring.

But the winter is a whole different story.

When I walk to the train and the temperature is around minus 10 (Celsius), the wind is brutal, and my fingers and nose get numb, I find myself missing the weather back home.

Including the intense summers…

This week, I noticed an interesting trend: more and more people are quitting their jobs.

In the past, a job often meant something you did until you retired.

But times have changed, and so have the reasons and implications of quitting.

Let's explore this further.

Number 74. Let’s go!

Main Article

The Evolving Phenomenon of Quitting

In recent years, there's been a noticeable shift in people’s attitudes towards their jobs.

It seems more common to leave a job than to stay for decades. When I was a kid, I hardly ever heard of people leaving their jobs. Our parents just went to work and were persistent.

So why the change?

One key factor is the transformation in retirement plans (pension). Unlike the past, today's retirement plans are less attractive, so it’s no longer an incentive to remain in the same job for years.

And everything is more intense now.

We're constantly connected through the internet and smartphones. It’s like working 18 hours every day.

The Allure of Alternative Careers

In the medical field, I see a similar trend. Colleagues are moving into advisory roles, biotech, or hi-tech sectors. These roles offer better pay, more predictable hours, and a different set of challenges.

But what does this say about our relationship with work and our ability to endure challenges?

So here are my thoughts about quitting:

1️⃣ Do You Care About Being Excellent?

If you're constantly thinking about quitting, you will never become excellent at what you do.

Aristotle said that virtues are formed in a person by doing the actions.

In other words, by doing something repeatedly (and not by quitting it), you become good at it and learn a lot along the way.

2️⃣ Pay Your Dues

Every job has its challenges. Especially during the first 5 years. These early hardships are crucial for learning and growth. It’s only after this phase that you earn the right to delegate and say “No” to certain demands.

3️⃣ Embrace Technology (But Wisely)

In our fast-paced era, mastering time management and prioritization is key.

Technology can make it easy, but it can also be your greatest enemy.

By embracing the positive aspects of technology, such as automation and video calls, and avoiding pitfalls like social media addiction, you can make your job more manageable and enjoyable.

4️⃣ The Grass Is Always Greener on the Other Side

But it's greener because someone is watering it…

It’s tempting to think another job will be better.

But quitting one job for another doesn’t free you from hard work; it simply presents a different set of challenges. And sometimes, it means giving up on being excellent.

Readers’ Favorite

A frequently asked question I get is, “How do you manage to find time for everything you do?”

In Friday’s Digest #42, I dive into the techniques that allow me to juggle multiple roles and responsibilities productively.

From avoiding checklists to the 2-minute rule and my very own concept of “third-spacing” of time, this issue provides practical tips that can easily save you hours each day.

Read about my time management strategies here.

Stuff

📚 Book I Read - Steve Jobs Archive

Dive into the mind of Steve Jobs through his own words.

This book is a collection of his speeches, interviews, and emails.

It reveals his vision of blending arts with technology and his pursuit of excellence.

You can read it (for free) here.

Epilogue

That’s it for this issue.

Hope for better times.

Shay