How in the fuck did I get into this position and why can’t I get out of it?
It’s hard to tell you how many times I’ve thought this to myself.
Maybe you think like that sometimes as well.
One of the problems that we face is falling into sunk cost fallacy where we believe that because we’ve invested something into this thing, we can’t give it up.
Relationships. Businesses. Education.
But sometimes, you need to get out of it as that is the best course of action for you.
And guess what? There is an easy way to figure out if there is just one way or a better way.
It involves zero-based thinking.
It’s simple.
Sit down. Close your eyes. And ask yourself this question.
Knowing what I now know, if I were not doing this, would I start it up again today?
It’s as simple as that.
If I weren’t doing this thing, would I start doing this thing again with all of the knowledge that I have?
Apply it to a relationship.
Knowing what I know about this person now, if I had to start over, would I pick them?
If the answer is yes then that’s great! You just have to figure out how to get better results.
If the answer is no then that means you know what you need to do.
I know there are a number of scenarios where it isn’t as cut and dry as that, but I’m just one mind. Not a thousand.
But you can see where sunk cost fallacy really screws us over here, right?
I spent 3 years pursuing this Major, switching now would mean I’ve wasted my time!
Do you want to “waste” 3 years or the next 50?
And you didn’t waste 3 years. You spent 3 years understanding what you don’t like.
That’s even more important than understanding what you do like!