how do you decide whether it's better to (a) put in the effort to prove a point (to yourself? to other people?) or (b) quit while you're (sort of) ahead because the situation is lose-lose?

i've always tended too much on the side of (a) either because i would feel like a total failure if i chose (b) - when in fact that may not actually be a failure - or because i'm not good enough at recognizing lose-lose situations ... or because i hear my mother nagging me if i try to quit. which would argue for choosing (b).

on the other hand, i think successful people are often those who are have just been determined and have persevered long enough. which would argue for (a). and i hear my mother nagging me if i try to quit.

sigh. i think one of my friends told me freshman year of college that life is not a meritocracy, and i needed to stop acting like it was.