Last night I did something I almost never do.

I quit a book at page 110.

I’d added The Maias to my prep reading list for an upcoming trip to Portugal. AI (never wrong, obviously) promised an epic family saga full of ambition, decline, and 19th-century Lisbon drama.

Count. Me. In.

Also? $3.99 for 464 pages? A steal.

The first strike against this book is that it took me 2-3 page turns to read one “page” on my Kindle. IYKYK.

With one week to finish it, I felt like I was sprinting in a pool of Jell-O.

I kept speed-reading, only to realize I’d missed the introduction of entire human beings. Then I’d debate: go back & figure out who they are…or roll the dice & hope that mysterious man #4 won’t be important later.

At 13 minutes past lights-out (not that I was counting), I had the same thought I’d had every other night:

Why am I doing this?

This book was not immersive.

And I was learning nothing beyond the abundance of prostitution at the time.

But I had a whole list of very logical reasons to keep going:

· I’m already 24% in (which feels legally binding, honestly)

· I paid $3.99. Who just walks away from that kind of investment?!?

· And what if I don’t find something better in time?

So I kept going.

Because…commitment.

Until last night.

When I had the realization that I was wasting time.

And how many better books are sitting on my list like, “Put me in, coach!”

So I quit.

And it hit me. This is exactly what we do in our careers.

We stick with projects, goals, and even jobs long after they’ve stopped working…just because we’ve already paid the “entry fee” & don’t believe we can find something better.

But forcing yourself to finish something that no longer fits doesn’t make it worthwhile. It just makes it longer. And wastes precious time.

Taking time to audit where your energy is going, and whether it’s still aligned, isn’t indulgent. It’s smart.

What is one professional “book” you’re still reading…just because you started it?

If you’re ready to stop forcing a narrative that may no longer feel like a fit & want to start writing a chapter that excites you, let’s chat. Click the button at the top of the page to schedule your free consult.

P.S. I switched to a podcast & am now fully prepared to impress my husband with strong opinions about Portuguese exploration. All in search of the spiciest cinnamon for their Atomic Fireballs. Who knew??