What did you do to make your business succeed?

I never quit anything and it has proven to get me very far in my professional and academic career yet, at what point does it not make sense to keep going amidst popular belief to always "keep going" when the times get tough.

• I really appreciate anyone who reads this and spends the time to support me while I make this challenging life decision. About Me: Job: High end retail manager with department of 35 individuals Age: 25 Education: BA in Social Science & Minor in Business, class of 2012 Passion: Entrepreneurship, speaking, adventure, relationships Projects: I  have a start up I'm working on generating $500/month  and would like to go full time and work on this. I have saved up about $15,000 to live off of while I build the business at some point. I am afraid to make the leap and quit...and invest all of my money into the business and to live off of. Problem: I'm a high end retail manager and at what point should I quit my job that i'm struggling in? I don't want to let my team down, so I want to "keep going", but I really don't like my job. Basically, I don't want to quit and fail my team I deeply care about. It would be my first big failure. The popular quotes below confuse me. Confusing popular quotes: "If you're going through hell, keep going" - Winston Churchill "Peristence is the character of man as carbon is to steele" - Napoleon Hill "The best way out is always through" - Robert Frost What these quotes forget to ask: Do you like what you are doing?" - No Is what you're doing worth it" - No, I get paid well though. Are you passionate about your work" - Hell No, but I am learning how to effectively managing people from all walks of life. My thoughts: We only live once and I don't want to work for this retailer for the rest of my life. It's soul crushing, extremely stressful, yet high paying. I really don't like my job or my peers, and I had planned on quitting in May, but I do not want to let the team I manage and my entire department down (30 people). In fact, I don't even care about my peers or what they think of me I just want to see the team I built trained and developed succeed. Lately, our metrics and sales are low so I do not want to make it seem like I am running away from this problem. I truly care about my team and want to see them succeed and if I leave they will surely fail.  I just think I am wasting my life working there and think it's not the best option for me to "keep going" when I don't like the work I do. Best

• Answer:

  Why do you think quitting equals abandoning your team? 12 years ago, I met a really great manager. He guided me through the initial phase of my career. I remember he would spent 2 hours on phone with me, answering my entry-level naive questions, with great patience. I managed to get a professional certification with his help and this set the tone for my career which I love. To this day I still remember the way he answered my questions. I try to do the same to others and received appreciation from people I have helped. 2 years later, one day this manager announced he decided to quit and that day would be his last day with us. I was shocked. Because I was so looking forward to work with him in a new project. And then I realized I could do nothing about it but to accept the fact. All other colleagues seem to be fine with the news. I wasn't. I went to rest room and cried for a while. Then, after he farewell to everyone, I escorted him to the elevator. I was the last person who waved goodbye to him from that company. As the elevator door was shutting, I said "thank you very much." He looked at me and gave me a smile in silence. Do I feel bad that my manager left? Yes. Do I hate him for that? No. I believe / know he must have made the decision after enough consideration, and that he must have good reason to make that decision. I wished him all the best from the bottom of my heart. So, if you love your team so much, your team members will know how hard it is for you to quit. And they'll understand. :-) ps. Several years later he invited me to linkedin. So, don't feel bad about saying goodbye. It just gives you a chance to celebrate the reunion!