Cut your losses and move on...

Saturday my husband and I went to the movies before a Valentine's Day dinner. We went to see Slumdog Millionaire because, unless you've been living under a rock (and said rock has no wifi reception), you've heard the wild acclaim and dozens of awards it's received.

Shaken to the core, I fled the theater after 40 minutes -- 20 minutes of which I avoided looking at the screen. I knew the plot, and had read many reviews which included words like "feel-good movie of the year" and "triumph of the human spirit". So I was thoroughly unprepreared for the violence, torture, child mutilation and brutality. I knew another horrific hour was more than I could bear. Instead I spent the next hour having a drink, admittedly a stiff one, and listening to music.

I don't walk out on movies often -- only have one other time -- but I learned a number of years ago that sometimes it's better to cut your losses and move on rather than stick it out to prove a point, or because I've already paid for it, or because I don't want to hurt someone's feelings, or admit to making a mistake. In fact, rather than calling this cutting losses, I could say I have a habit of "changing my mind when presented with new information."

Here are some ways you can cut your losses, or change your mind...

• Stop selling a product you no longer believe in or that no longer delivers
• Stop using software that makes your life more complicated
• Go back to a paper calendar if you prefer it over a blackberry
• Unsubscribe from e-zines that are no longer helpful to you
• Quit clubs, organizations and associations that are no longer a fit or serve a purpose you need
• Don't renew magazine subscriptions if you have a more than three of the last six months worth that you haven't read
• Distance yourself from time and/or energy vampires

Politicians get nailed for changing their minds, the term flip-flopper being a favorite slam. But I prefer people who can listen, experience, ponder and change when necessary. I'd love to hear about instances where you cut your losses and are the better for it.

Comments

[Nancy Hightshoe]

Hear! Hear! My friend and I walked out on KILL BILL. We went for pasta! Thanks for the heads-up on SlumDog. Now, I won't have to be tortured, too!

Keep on keepin' on!

Nancy

[Lori Feldman]

Mary, great post. I've also thought about this lately. Here's my story: A good friend wouldn't respect the line I drew between our friendship and my professional services. We could never just enjoy each other's company; there was always an expectation that I should be helping her with her business. Even when I told her directly I didn't want to discuss business with her, she wanted exceptions for "just one little question." Of course paying me for my time was not an option for her either. Unfortunately, I decided to cut her off completely. Which is sad, because I miss the friendship.