Sunk Cost Fallacy: When you continue a behaviour or endeavour as a result of previously invested resources or time.
A relationship, a career, a sport, an online game. We can easily fall prey to the sunk cost fallacy “But I’ve spent years doing this!”
When you know you’re at a dead end, don’t have the desire or ability to improve or it isn’t right for you, it’s time to move on. You know this. Instead of thinking about what you’ve invested, think of the progress you could make in an area you do care about, in the same 10 years you could be stagnant.
You may look at someone who’s already been doing x for 10 years and worry about the time that you’ve wasted. This pattern of thinking can prevent you from even starting. The only truth is that you definitely won’t reach the level of those whom you admire if you don’t take the first step.
Start now. Start small. Focus on progress not invested resources.