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Lessons from a Quitter
Lessons from a Quitter
Author: Goli Kalkhoran
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© 2018 Goli Kalkhoran. All Rights Reserved 932411
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It is never too late to start over. No matter how much time or money you've spent chasing degrees and jobs to get to your current position, if ultimately you're unhappy, then it is time to quit. Each week, Goli Kalkhoran, a fellow quitter, will interview inspiring guests who have quit lucrative careers to forge their own path and create a life they love. Get insight, inspiration, tools, and resources to help you quit what you hate and figure out what it is that you love.
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This week I want to talk to you about how to go after your dream life. If you follow me on Instagram, you know I've been in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for the past month. Taking this trip with my family is one way I'm going after my dream life. And the process is actually really simple, it's just two steps. I want to show you that the things you want are possible because whether you think you can or you can't you're right. So this week I'm sharing the two-step process for going after your dream life and how I'm applying that in my own life.
In this episode, we tackle the fear that prevents us from acknowledging our true desires. I share my personal journey from believing I had no idea what I wanted to discovering a wealth of buried dreams. We explore two major fears: the fear of disappointment and the fear of success. Admitting your desires is the first step to transformation. By confronting these fears, you can excavate your dreams and embark on a journey to create a more fulfilling life. Stop settling for "good enough" and embrace the possibilities of a fuller life.
In this week's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I wrap up our burnout series by tackling one of the most common struggles high-achievers face: how to actually feel joy again. A listener asked, "What if I've been so focused on achievement that I don't even know how to experience joy outside of work?" We dig into how our culture conditions us to seek validation through productivity and how to rewire that programming. I share small, practical steps to reconnect with your body, rebuild curiosity, and rediscover what genuinely lights you up—so you can find joy in everyday life, not just achievement.
This week I want to talk to you about procrastination. I have so many people telling me I want to do this thing but I can't get myself motivated to do it. What I've found is that procrastination is not a time management issue, but an emotional management issue. This week I dig into why we procrastinate and how to start overcoming it.
That inner critic you have that drones on and on every day about how bad you are at being a human is NOT your voice. It was put there by society - capitalism, religion, patriarchy, white supremacy, school, religion - in an attempt to control you. And it's time we undo it. This is Part 2 of a 2-part series that will help you get rid of your inner critic. If you haven't listened to Part 1, definitely start there because the first step is truly becoming aware of what it is and where it came from and that's what I'll cover in this episode. Part 2 will start giving you the rest of the steps to move you from a harsh inner critic to unshakeable self-trust.
That Inner Critic you have that drones on and on every day about how bad you are at being a human is NOT your voice. It was put there by society- capitalism, religion, patriarchy, white supremacy, school, religion- in an attempt to control you. And it's time we undo it. This is Part 1 of a 2-part series that will help you get rid of your inner critic. The first step is truly becoming aware of what it is and where it came from and that's what I'll cover in this episode.
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we conclude our series on goal-setting by tackling the often-overlooked yet critical step: what to do after setting your goal. I share actionable tips to break your goal into manageable steps, focus on short-term milestones, and embrace the inevitable challenges along the way. You'll learn why expecting inconsistency is key, how to avoid all-or-nothing thinking, and the importance of weekly evaluations to adapt and improve. If you're ready to build momentum and finally achieve your goals, this episode will provide the tools and mindset shifts you need to succeed.
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we explore the deeper purpose of goal-setting and how it transforms not just your life but those around you. It's not about checking boxes or achieving arbitrary milestones—it's about the ripple effects your growth creates. From setting an example for your family to overcoming fears of judgment, your goals help you become the person you aspire to be. We discuss why embracing challenges is essential for meaningful change and how to choose goals that align with your future self. Join us to redefine success and build a life you truly love.
This week on Lessons from a Quitter, we continue our three-part miniseries on redefining goal setting. We break down the pitfalls of traditional approaches to goals and advocate for focusing on just one priority per year. Learn how this strategy builds self-trust, minimizes overwhelm, and creates lasting habits. Whether you're juggling personal and professional ambitions or battling self-doubt, this episode will inspire you to set meaningful goals without sacrificing your well-being. Plus, hear more about the upcoming "Goals That Stick" workshop, a full-day event designed to help you master goal-setting for sustainable success.
If you're serious about achieving the many dreams you have for your life, you need to start getting serious about goal-setting. I know goal-setting, especially around New Year's, gets a bad rap. But I always find it laughable that people look down on New Year's resolutions. Because think about the logic: ▪️ People use the New Year as a time to reflect and set new goals. --> ▪️ Most people don't set goals the right way and so they give up on them quickly. --> ▪️ And so everyone has now decided that the only way to solve this problem is to not set goals in the first place. I'm sorry. WHAT?!? 🙃 I hate to break it to you but setting goals is not the issue in this equation. Not setting the right types of goals and not having a plan to implement those goals is the problem. And, sure, you don't need to wait until New Year's to set goals. In fact, you should be setting them every 90 days and re-evaluating them constantly. But the New Year is a great time for new beginnings. So don't give in to what the haters say. Spend some time figuring out what you want out of the new year and how you can show up as a better version of yourself. And, to help, this week's episode is all about how to set goals the right way in order to actually achieve your dreams. WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: - Why you need goals - Principles of Goal-Setting - How to Set the Right Types of Goals - How to Plan Your Week So You Can Work on Your Goals - and more...
In this deeply personal farewell episode, I reflect on seven years of Lessons from a Quitter as I step into a 2026 sabbatical—unsure what comes next. I share why this podcast was worth starting long before it was "successful," and how creating something scary reshaped my confidence, career, and life. We unpack letting go of metrics, redefining success, building meaningful community, and why you don't need to be an expert to begin. This episode is an invitation to honor your curiosity, trust the messy middle, and finally start the thing you can't stop thinking about.
In this deeply reflective episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I share the 10 core lessons I wish I could tattoo on your brain before stepping away for my first sabbatical in seven years. This episode is about releasing shame, trusting your humanity, and letting go of the pressure to have life figured out. We talk about why burnout isn't a personal failure, why growth matters more than outcomes, and how changing your mind is a sign of wisdom—not weakness. If you're stuck between quitting and staying, this episode invites you to be gentler with yourself and redesign a life that actually fits you.
In this deeply personal episode, I share why I decided to take a sabbatical after seven years of building Lessons from a Quitter. I unpack what burnout actually looked like for me, the many possible reasons behind it, and why the "why" ultimately mattered less than listening to what I needed. We talk about uncertainty, privilege, identity, people-pleasing, and the fear of stopping when things aren't broken. This episode is an honest reflection on letting go of what's good, creating space to rest and rethink, and trusting yourself enough to pause—even without a clear next plan.
In this episode, we explore why so many of us rush through our lives believing happiness waits on the other side of achievement. As I prepare for a sabbatical, I share my philosophy of choosing one meaningful goal each year—not to fix yourself, but to deepen your experience of the life you already have. We talk about the trap of chasing "there," the shame cycle of over-goal-setting, and how slowing down helps you reconnect with joy, presence, and purpose. Instead of racing toward a future version of yourself, this episode invites you to savor the chapter you're in while intentionally shaping what comes next.
In this episode, we dive into the hidden reason so many of us stay stuck: the paradox of choice. In a world overflowing with career paths, business ideas, and "perfect" next steps, too many options can keep us spinning in fear of choosing wrong. I talk about why our brains get overwhelmed, how endless possibilities dilute satisfaction, and how this shows up when we're burnt out and unsure of our next move. More importantly, I walk you through building the skill of making confident decisions, embracing "good enough," and moving forward without regret so you can finally redesign a life you love.
In this week's episode, we explore one of the most important—and most overlooked—keys to redesigning a life you love: honoring your own capacity. As I prepare for my upcoming sabbatical, I reflect on why so many high-achievers feel broken when they can't operate like everyone else. Using stories from my son's soccer team and my own burnout, I break down how our brains, bodies, and nervous systems are uniquely wired. When we stop fighting who we are and start working with our natural rhythms, we can make clearer decisions, reduce shame, and build a life that actually fits.
In this week's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we sit down with special guest Dinesh Melwani to explore how small, intentional shifts can completely change the trajectory of your life and career. We talk about delegating without guilt, reclaiming your time, and building confidence through consistent, incremental action. Dinesh shares how he's redesigned his own life—juggling law, real estate, coaching, a podcast, and now a children's book—by narrowing his focus, embracing seasons, and letting his day job fund his bigger dreams. This conversation is a powerful reminder that you don't have to quit everything to build a life you love. Follow Dinesh Melwani at @dineshmelwani and check out his book on amazon.
In this week's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we dive into an unpolished but powerful reflection on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and how understanding it can help us navigate uncertainty and reduce unnecessary suffering. We explore the difference between "clean" and "dirty" pain and how our brains are wired to always look for problems—even when life is objectively good. By recognizing where we are on the hierarchy, we can cultivate more compassion for ourselves, redirect our minds toward meaningful goals, and find gratitude for the structure and challenges that keep us grounded, even in seasons of self-doubt or transition.
In this week's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we wrap up our burnout series with a powerful mindset shift — embracing The Happy Life of Mediocrity. We explore how our constant drive to be the best and to "have it all" often leaves us exhausted, disconnected, and unfulfilled. Instead of chasing perfection, we learn how to find joy and peace in being average, accepting that life is always 50/50. Together, we discover how letting go of unrealistic expectations allows us to slow down, appreciate what we have, and create more happiness in our wonderfully imperfect, ordinary lives.
In this week's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I share a personal experiment I've started in my own business: taking Mondays and Fridays off to create a three-day workweek. While it sounds dreamy on the surface, the reality has been much messier—and that's exactly why I wanted to bring it to you. We dive into how hustle culture and perfectionism make rest feel uncomfortable, why our brains resist slowing down, and how important it is to give ourselves permission to experiment. This conversation is about challenging old rules, embracing imperfection, and creating more space for what you truly want.








Network Marketing is the new name for Multi Level Marketing which was the new name for Pyramid Schemes. I wonder what the next generation name of Pyramid Schemes will be 🤔
If you're looking for some #Thanksgiving inspiration, here you go...