Chris Brogan: Let go of what no longer serves you!

By Chazz and Chris Brogan

Last week, I wrote about the “My 3 Words” concept created by my friend, Chris Brogan. (See #My3Words to view others’ choices and share your own.) Chris later finalized his “My 3 Words” for 2025 as follows:
• Gambit - a reminder to make my risks more calculated and less wild;
• @home - a reminder to make use of what I already have and use what I’ve already bought; and
• Event - a reminder not to just show up, but to turn everything into an event/experience.
You can watch Chris talk about his words on YouTube by searching for “My 3 Words for 2025 - Better Than New Year’s Resolutions” on his “Photography as Meditation” channel.
This week, I’d like to discuss another great idea Chris has recently brought up--which I think will help me a lot and perhaps you, too.
Besides his three words, Chris has said another of his new focuses for this year is also thinking about, “What you might quit. What no longer serves you? Which parts of your identity no longer match who and what you are?”
He has noted most people want to hold on to whatever they have. They invest in something, and they want to keep it. Even if the thing no longer serves them.
“For reasons I don’t actually understand, I have no problem whatsoever throwing away most anything in my world,” Chris said. “I stop things all the time. I leave things. I quit. You know, there’s this advice you hear over and over: don’t quit.
“My advice is different: quit whenever you want. Don’t surrender. What’s the difference? Quitting means you made the choice not to invest in something any longer. Surrender means that someone/something else pushed you to that choice.
“How much are you holding onto in your life, in your hopes, in your identity that no longer serves you? I find that inflexibility and the inability to take a new position or approach hold so many people back. I’m a _____ , so I can’t do ______.”
Chris calls this the “Sunk Cost Fallacy” and noted, “A sunk cost fallacy is: the phenomenon whereby a person is reluctant to abandon a strategy or course of action because they have invested heavily in it, even when it is clear that abandonment would be more beneficial.”
He said the “cost” can be money, but is almost always also time. He explained, “We’ve done ‘X’ for so long that we can’t imagine life without it,’ or we think, ‘I’ve come this far. I can’t quit now.’ Yes, you can. Quit, but don’t surrender.”  

From Chris Brogan
People’s brains are magical and fascinating. But we overestimate how much we can hold onto at the same time. It’s like we schedule our days (and thus our brains) to 100 percent and think that’s cool. But if you ran your car at 100 percent, it would break down. Your computer chokes at 100 percent. Why do it to yourself?
Quit a few things. Free yourself up. You need your brains open and ready to receive.
Here’s one thing to quit: name calling. Sure, you don’t call other people names, but how often do you call yourself ’stupid’ for forgetting your keys, or ‘idiot’ because you didn’t know an answer fast enough?
We have to be more kind to ourselves. We wouldn’t say this to other people.
Instead, say your name. If I forget to charge my phone batteries, I just say, “Chris Brogan.” You know why? It’s my name. And I try not to sound grumpy. I just say my name.
One thing to quit: calling yourself names. What do you think? You with me?

Chazz: Life goes fast
I definitely feel I need to quit expending more energy on more than one situation in my life. I see so much in these words that is wise. I am guilty of hanging onto things and habits which no longer serve me well. I am not a quitter, so this is a hard concept for me to absorb. But when Chris explains it so well, I believe I should become a quitter in some instances. Life is short. We only have so many days and so much energy to get through those days.
Life also gets faster as you get older. That’s not my concept. I’ve read it from others--but it’s also true. I’ve heard it’s because you have so much previous life and years to compare it to. I just know spring to summer, fall to winter, and year to year, all seem to go past in a blur, faster and faster every single year.
Wasting time and energy should no longer be an option when it’s so precious, rare and valuable. Thank you, my friend

Chris, for helping me and others with yet another amazing aspect to explore.

In closing
Please understand. Besides right above, these are mostly ALL Chris’ words. Not mine. I am sharing them because I believe they are important to share. I don’t do social media, so I’m sharing them here. But you can get Chris’ words delivered to your inbox weekly. As well as his business partner, Rob Hatch’s tips and thoughts. They are priceless! They have been overwhelmingly beneficial to my life as long as I’ve known them both.
Their newsletters have helped me in so many aspects; from marketing to relationships, from business to friendships, from time-saving advice to inbox ins and outs. They’ve also helped me with writing and reality checks, as well as  countless other situations in my life where I needed some experienced opinions.
They are both entertaining and informal. And brilliant. And giving. And friendly. They always answer emails--even though they’re famous. They’ve both had best selling books. And you can get their newsletters for the low, low cost of... Free. Wow! Who does that these days? Who gives away their most valuable assets? They do!
I am so grateful Chris has shared his valuable insights for our readers in two different editions. Of note: Both he and Rob do one-on-one coaching sessions for owners and executives (or anyone needing help). So, if you want more of Chris or Rob and to sign up for their newsletters, reach out to Chris at nl@owner.media or Rob at wb@owner.media. Tell them Chazz sent you. Chris and Rob are true blessings to all!