I Quit!
The Life-Affirming Joy of Giving Up
By Coonoor Behal
A collection of stories from real people and how they summoned the courage to quit things in their lives.
Adam Grant
#1 New York Times bestselling author of THINK AGAIN and host of the TED podcast WorkLife
“Behal writes with wit and compassion about the sheer joy and wisdom of quitting. But here I also found a whip-smart chronicle of our life and times. I thought I was entering a book about (happy) quitters and I emerged with a deeper appreciation for life itself. Read this and you will laugh, cry, quit, thrive.”
Sonora Jha, Ph.D.
Professor of Journalism at Seattle University and author of Foreign and How to Raise a Feminist Son: Motherhood, Masculinity, and the Making of My Family
“Saying no, changing course and leaving behind endeavors, goals and relationships that don’t serve us are often the unsung heroes of success. That’s why I love Behal’s appreciation for intentional endings in her book, I Quit! Through real stories and poignant insights, Behal gives quitting a new, well-deserved claim to fame.”
Rebekah Bastian
CEO & co-founder of OwnTrail & author of Blaze Your Own Trail
“In this refreshing reversal of the pseudo-inspiring, 'never-give-up!' literary genre, Behal turns the idea of giving up on its head. A must-read for real people in life transitions as well as those who are looking to be inspired by stories of real life hero-quitters.”
Julia Wuench
Founder of The Authenticity Guide and Business Insider’s Most Innovative Coach for 2020
“Through a collection of diverse stories, Behal shakes up the negative connotation around ‘quitting’ while empowering the reader to embrace failure as part of the personal growth process.”
Saleema Vellani
CEO of Ripple Impact & author of Innovation Starts With I
I Quit! Toolkit
This is your guide to becoming a courageous and happy quitter.
The toolkit will help you:
- Tell the stories behind the quits in your life
- Understand the different types of quitting
- Learn the wisdom happy quitters know
- Create a To-Quit list
- Get motivated to quit the things in life that are holding you back!
About the Book
Quitting carries a lot of stigma and shame in society, with connotations of “failure” or “not being able to stick it out” prevailing. Sayings such as “Quitters never win” have tricked us into believing that maintaining the status quo is always the “right” thing to do…or is the less risky choice. In fact, in life it’s a risk if you do AND it’s a risk if you don’t. Quitting is a choice…but so is not quitting.
This book is a collection of stories of everyday, real people and how they summoned the courage to quit things in their lives. Stories include quitting: jobs and careers, people and relationships, habits, aspirations, and identities. Every story shows an individual battling but ultimately triumphing over expectations – their own and others’ – to quit what was no longer serving them and make greater progress toward what they want in life.
Topics that come up in the book include:
- Perfectionism
- Failure
- Cultural and family expectations
- Personal values
- Self-knowledge and awareness
- Courage
- Regrets (or lack thereof)
- Preferred “ways” to quit
This book will make you entirely rethink how you view quitting – and quitters. It will encourage you to reexamine your own quitting experiences through a new paradigm. It may even inspire you to make that next big, positive change for yourself.
Hear Coonoor Talk About the Book
Media Requests
Coonoor would love to speak to your group, at your event, or for your article.
Coonoor Behal chats with Becca Wood of Probably Bothered Podcast to discuss the value of quitting and her journey as the founder and CEO of an innovation company.
This episode will encourage you to reframe your idea on the topic of quitting, why it is good for you, and how it should be viewed as a sign of development rather than a breach of your goals. Coonoor also shares her beliefs and personal experiences on how she managed to create and sustain her company, Mindhatch, successfully over the years despite society’s “vanity metrics” on business models.
If you are an entrepreneur and are looking for some fascinating unconventional approaches on how to run your business, come and join the conversation here.
Coonoor Behal chatted with Amity Addrisi of the New Day Northwest Show about the Joy of Quitting. In this interview, Coonoor talks about reframing the idea of quitting; How this act should be viewed as a sign of courage rather than failure. In this episode, learn how turning back and breaking free from family and societal expectations on not quitting have helped her and other individuals live a clearer and happier life. Watch here:
Mindhatch’s CEO and Founder, Coonoor Behal, was recently featured on Dr. Kirk Honda’s Psychology in Seattle Podcast. Coonoor discusses the glory and pains that she has experienced after her first big quit, how this event has created a shift in her personality – from being a perfectionist and high-achieving individual to someone who has more agency over her life. Learn how society and family cultural upbringing can impact an individual’s view on quitting and how to break free from the stigma that is associated with this word.
Be inspired by how quitting can get you closer to what you want in life, labor, and love. Tune in here.
We journey through Coonoor’s Ohio roots, her new book, and the ups and downs of my (two!) bathroom renovations with AmyWorks. It was great to support the work of two other women who are leaders in non-traditional fields! Listen here.
The Uplifting Podcast featuring Coonoor Behal - How Quitting Can Be the Key to Getting Ahead
Coonoor Behal shares with Randy Lee her fair share of quitting and failing stories. How learning to release her idea of perfectionism has led her to a more meaningful and happier life. She also traces back her first experience with Improv Comedy- from quitting after her first try (out of fear) to returning after several years, and now using this methodology in her own company to help businesses thrive. Listen here.
Quitting is Not a Dirty Word! Marketing Mambo with Terry McDougall
What comes to mind when you hear “I quit”?’ Shame? Horror? Defeat? Or PURE JOY? Coonoor joined the Marketing Mambo podcast with Terry McDougall to chat how quitting has been long been misused as a bad thing to do. In addition, they discuss how design thinking requires a culture change at work to focus on the human experience. Quit and apply design thinking to your marketing plans via the podcast here.
The Redirect with Yasmine
Join Yasmine and Coonoor as they unpack why quitting can be liberating, and the importance of shifting that paradigm from what we were taught and programmed to think.
"The Joy of Quitting with Coonoor Behal on The Fearless Woman's Guide to Business Podcast
In this episode, Coonoor discusses her own relationship with quitting and what inspired her to write this book. They also discuss some of the traps that keep people from quitting when they should – which is more often than we think! Tune in.
Coonoor Behal on the Hype Girl Podcast
Coonoor chats with the Hype Girl Podcast about how to rethink and re-frame quitting by sharing stories from everyday people who summoned the courage to quit things in their lives. Listen here.
"Conversations With Warrior Women Podcast: Coonoor Behal- I Quit! The Life Affirming Joy of Giving Up!
Are you a quitter? Well you may want to be after you hear this podcast! Innovation strategist and author Connoor Behal tells us why quitting what is no longer serving you can be an act of generosity. We are talking about reframing the shame, negativity and misconceptions of quitting and ask you “who are you NOT quitting for?!”
"Getting Off the Hamster Wheel - Finding Joy, Fulfillment & Success in Your Career with Karen Weeks
Whether you decide to quit something or not, that is a CHOICE. YOU are in charge of that choice. These choices encourage us to discover our personal values and most importantly, helps us get know ourselves along whatever life path we are pursuing. Let’s navigate some life choices and help you as well on this podcast.
"Quitting is a Choice, but so is not Quitting" Coonoor Behal on the Insights to Live By Podcast with Matt Zinman
Is there such a thing as a “good quit?” Of course, there is 😃
Coonoor Behal, Mindhatch Founder and Author of “I Quit! The Life-Affirming Joy of Giving Up” chatted with Matt Zinman of Insights To Live By – The Podcast about being a recovering perfectionist, good quits vs. bad quits, design thinking, and more on this podcast.
"EPIC Impact Society Podcast: Coonoor Behal
A nice chat with Epic Impact Society’s Podcast about how she started writing her forthcoming book (and how she didn’t quit it!) and why quitting is right for you. Listen to the full conversation here!
Next Pivot Point Podcast: Using Improv to Drive Diversity and Inclusion
Coonoor highlights the important work of Mindhatch and my forthcoming book along with:
➡️Why the stigma of quitting is not helpful for inclusive workplaces
➡️The connective tissue of improv and design thinking with diversity, equity and inclusion
➡️How we can drive positive social change through existing systems
Put your ears here.
Coonoor Behal in conversation with Riah Gonzalez about "I Quit! The Life-Affirming Joy of Giving Up" on the Client Experience Revolution Podcast
If you are thinking of quitting something or have just quit and are struggling now, Coonoor has some helpful tips that she shared in this pod:
👉Look back to what made you feel that way
👉Make a list of what you can live with and what you can’t Seeing the trade-off of the things that you are giving up should help you cope. Listen in for more quitting tips from Coonoor’s book.
Leading People First with Coonoor Behal
Coonoor Behal from Mindhatch on her book "I Quit! The life-affirming joy of giving up," improv and the great thing about pinball machines...
Finding the love of Improv and Quitting on the CurryUp StartUp Podcast
Pay Great Attention to Your Business Website on My Worst Investment Ever Podcast
Coonoor’s business started to grow, and she started wanting to do more. Now she was a B2B business, and she needed a website that could do a lot more for her business, such as lead generation, answer questions that people are curious about, and more.
Coonoor Behal on 21st Century Entrepreneurship with Martin Piskoric
Mindhatch Founder + CEO Coonoor joins Martin Piskoric on his podcast to discuss Mindhatch’s improvisation mindset, her upcoming book on quitting, and the connection between performing and her life. Listen in here.
Coonoor Behal on Beyond The Resumes
Coonoor Behal in conversation with Jerry Won of the Beyond the Resumes podcast about the best and worst advice she has received. Plus, they talk about the upside to quitting things and suggests a great book that may have a significant impact on your life! Listen.
Media Appearances
The virtual book tour is happening! Check out Coonoor’s various appearances and talks for “I Quit! the Life-Affirming Joy of Giving Up”
Want more?
Thank you so much for your interest in "I Quit! The Life-Affirming Joy of Giving Up."
You'll get the occasional email from author Coonoor Behal about the value of quitting, the virtual book tour, and special promotions just for you!
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