When do you throw in the towel? (2 Viewers)

[mike32]

The baseball coaching was an example. I’m not coaching baseball. I stepped away already. ;-) (and glad i did, but it was a difficult decision).

Let’s do one thing on my list. Golf. When I’m on, I love the game. When I’m off, I’m beyond miserable. I’ve spent thousands on lessons recently. I played Monday. The first few holes I hit the ball better, but still struggled. I had a few good holes, and felt good. Finally playing better. Then the wheels fell off, and I couldn’t hit the ball to save my life. Couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong either. Then I questioned whether I should even play golf. No team to let down, but it has high highs and low lows.

Also, I don’t see shades of gray. In my world, it’s black or white. I’m on, or i’m off. There is no middle. Once I pull in the direction of “off”, it’s really off and hard to get back on the “on” train.

Not looking for sympathy, or an Atta-boy, or “yeah, just quit”… just seeing when others realize its time to let something you love, but it frustrates the hell out of you too, go

Following up on your golf example, I’m an uncoordinated shit athlete. I have been golfing since I was 13 so more than 40 years and I’ve never been good. My company owns golf courses so I can practice and golf whenever I want. I tried to become a good golfer with lessons etc. in the 90’s for a couple years and I improved a little but was miserable playing. I decided I was taking a game too seriously and backslid into my terrible ways. Many of my friends are good golfers and I figured out I should only golf with them at scrambles or drunken league night etc. I got no business on the course on a weekend morning or a three day Northern Michigan golf trip with 36 holes a day. It has made my golfing existence much happier. This is my golf experience in a quick summary but I try to apply it to poker as well. Don’t take it so serious, enjoy the company and the moment. Hope this helps a little.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

Most of our hobbies don't cause this level of brain damage but I tear up when I think too much about Ali's wars with Frazier and Norton; I know you meant metaphorically throwing in the towel but it should be more normalized.


For me, its putting it in perspective. I stopped wrestling with my undergrad team because Im a hasbeen, Im old and getting hurt isnt worth having that lion's pride that comes with a singlet. It was a tough decision, but I throw in the towel when priorities shift; Ive got a wife puppy and a job, I cant leave it all on the mat anymore.

 

[BPTDirector]

Bowling. I threw in the towel on Bowling which is heritage in my family. My dad and both brothers are in our regional bowling halls of fame for one reason or another. My best ever average was 201 for two years. Paltry compared to their accomplishments. One of my brothers has 65 300 games, the other did setups for the PBA tour event in his town for many years. Dad was also inducted posthumously for his contributions. I gave up because I could never match up and we are a competitive bunch, or were back then.

 

[Highli99]

These are tough questions. I like to ask myself why I participate in certain activities and what I hope to get out of it. People participate in activities for different reasons including but not limited to:
-entertainment
-competition
-mastery
-prestige
-health reasons
-real or perceived stress reduction
-thrill seeking

I try to be honest with myself about my goals and then whether my approach is consistent with my goals. Generally, I can be satisfied when those things are in alignment. If they are not in alignment, I reassess my goal or my approach and try to change one or the other.

Examples for me:
Golf - not competitive at all, strictly a social activity and no shame in being a disaster.
Online poker: try to be competitive and play well, minimizing mistakes and avoiding degen behavior.
Live poker (home games): degen away and laugh at the results
Live poker (casino): take no prisoners, kill everyone.
Collecting: buy the things that strike me, don’t worry about what others think too much, don’t worry about FOMO. Find my own nitches here and there and don’t try to compete with other collectors.
Running: stay healthy. Try to improve on my own results, but not worried about performance relative to others.
whiskey: buy to drink and try not to over do it.

 

[Mike mac]

bottom line, as long as you are having fun and not hurting anyone, including yourself.... never. never quit.

 

[RocAFella1]

After I wipe the area where the sun don’t shine dry.

 

[Mrs Poker Zombie]

I had this inscribed on my iPad, "If it is not fun, it is not worth doing."

 

[BarrieJ3]

@krafticus

I dive quickly and deeply into things that I'm passionate about or enjoy.
I only see things in black and white, there is no in between.
I am either doing something full throttle, or I throw in the towel, it's all or nothing.

Speaking for myself, I have ZERO coping skills. I just deal with things as they happen (or I don't), lol not a very well functioning human in that regard.

Anyways, most of the answers and descriptions here wouldn't quite be helpful or fit me, because of the first 3 statements. Not saying that you're similar to me, but there do seem to be some....similarities. Maybe it might help to focus on how to find the enjoyment or balance in the activities you partake in instead of trying to determine when to throw in the towel.

 

[dpeks13]

Bowling. I threw in the towel on Bowling which is heritage in my family. My dad and both brothers are in our regional bowling halls of fame for one reason or another. My best ever average was 201 for two years. Paltry compared to their accomplishments. One of my brothers has 65 300 games, the other did setups for the PBA tour event in his town for many years. Dad was also inducted posthumously for his contributions. I gave up because I could never match up and we are a competitive bunch, or were back then.

Once you have about 50 300 games, doesn't it just become boring at that point? I feel like yes, but then again I will never bowl a single 300 so what do I know

 

[bergs]

Once you have about 50 300 games, doesn't it just become boring at that point? I feel like yes, but then again I will never bowl a single 300 so what do I know

Perfection is never boring.

 

[allforcharity]

When you no longer get any enjoyment out of it.