After months writing about the power of commitment, it felt dangerous to admit: Sometimes the bravest commitment is knowing when something needs to end.

After my second Olympics, I went through every option before walking away from gymnastics. What I eventually realized was that I wasn’t trying to save the sport — I was trying to save the version of myself that the sport had defined.

There’s a crucial difference between quitting and graduating. Quitting is abandoning something because it’s hard. Graduating is recognizing that a season has served its purpose and making room for what’s next.

The career path you chose at 22 that no longer fits at 35. The hobby that clearly isn’t working. The plan you’re holding onto because you already invested time. That’s not commitment — it’s the sunk cost fallacy wearing a commitment costume.

The hardest part about endings isn’t the letting go. It’s trusting that what you’re making room for is worth the loss.

This is from Chapter 10 of our new book—the one we were most nervous to write. The Courage to Commit comes out June 9, and we can’t wait for you to read it! 🙂

Is there something you’re holding onto out of stubbornness rather than conviction? No pressure at all, but if you want to share, just hit reply. We’re listening.

- Shawn & Andrew

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