How many times have you heard the prase “No one likes a quitter”?

People may not like it, but sometimes quitting is the best option for everyone.

The question is knowing when to make that call.

There’s no arguing the importance of persistence. But a recent study found a weak link between grit and performance.

Here are a few downsides to chasing a lost cause.

1. We waste our time and resources - which are limited. It’s better to quit undertakings that bring no positive, valuable results and move on.

2. We miss alternatives. When we stick with something simply because we started it, we may miss other, better opportunities. This risk is particularly high when we’re dealing with long-cherished goals, because they’re harder to let go.

3. We risk being perpetually dissatisfied. This is true even if we end up ultimately getting the result we want.

When we are dead set on creating a specific outcome, regardless of anything else, we tend to rob ourselves of all enjoyment during it.

This dissatisfaction continues after we achieve our goal, because our expectations are so high that reality rarely stands a chance.

4. It’s bad for our mental and physical health. We tend to feel stress more acutely, suffer depression, sleeplessness and weight gain.

Sometimes persistence doesn’t pay off no matter how hard we try.

We may have to let go of a goal, dream or desire and move on to the next one.

To know when that time has come, we need to weigh the upsides of persistence with its downsides. Even the most dedicated will have a hard time arguing with the results.