"Tic-tac's"
When to throw in the towel
When do you throw in the towel, say "I did my damndest," and walk away? When can you draw the line and give up without sacrificing your principles? I'm talking about politics here but I guess this can apply to a lot of situations.
Thanks for the help, and background information will be given upon request.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Will on -
"Choose your battles." And know your Commander.
If you have God in your life, it wouldn't make sense to throw in the towel for what He wants from you, ever. It would make sense to throw in all other towels, immediately. Which shifts the question to: what does He want from me? "To win" may be the answer; or maybe it's "to lose and learn something from it" . . . there are so many different options. Failure on a small battle, or the wrong battle, is sometimes the best way to win the big battle.
If not, well, I'll let someone else answer that.
If this is about struggles with SGA, maybe the problem is that it's _your_ battle, and doesn't need to be. You could be a foot soldier rather than a general. Or you could recast it as something other than a conflict.
-
Permalink Reply by Nick H on -
Good point Will. Learning when we lose can be sometimes better than winning. Reminds me of the Edison quote "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
-
Permalink Reply by Arthur on -
Only in the case of a truly intolerable injustice would one feel the need to fall on their sword. The test is does this violate an unbendable core principle I hold dear? If yes fight on.
So, you can throw in the towel on issues that you can’t win and in essence do a strategic retreat, because the price that needs to be paid to fight on is too high and you hold other things in higher value, have something with a higher priority and in both cases it does not hit up against a personal line in the sand principle.
Arthur
-
Permalink Reply by D.J. on -
Strategic retreat may be the best option for me right now. I never thought of that so thanks for bringing it up.
-
Permalink Reply by Vytautas on -
No good politician has ever asked what is the unbendable core principle that he holds dear.
They are all bendable and none are inviolate. Otherwise he is weak and will be unable to cope with a fluid situation.
-
Permalink Reply by LShieldes on
-
You fight for as long as you can. If there is still fight left in you, you are just a quitter.
-
Permalink Reply by Native Son on -
It depends on how important, in the big picture, the issue.
If it's something like the tempest in a teapot of Student Government politics posted elsewhere on AoM, you can readily walk away. There's no real consequence except to your ego.
OTOH, if this is something about the size, scope, or ultimate cost of "rea"l governance, and you're an elected representative, you need to keep fighting the good fight.
If your political disagreement is that of a civil servant who is constantly on the "losing " side of policy set by elected officials that's different, as numerous practical considerations come into play.
-
Permalink Reply by D.J. on
-
Yeah in the long run these political conflicts that I'm embroiled in won't matter, except to maybe sharpen my skill set. In the short term it's extremely frustrating. Thanks for the perspective.
-
Permalink Reply by Vytautas on
-
Another episode in the annals of DJ's struggles with his student gov position, in which he plays the principled white knight fighting against the ne'erdowells in the imaginary kingdom in his head?
To quote some old dude that you probably get a little excited thinking about, trying to self-identify with, but whose character you fall short of: "never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense."
Now my son, go forth and create some more drama and then write to us all asking for advice about it, for that is your wont, your way, and your custom.
Latest Activity
Brian W. Barrett replied to Steve's discussion Hair styles for men with fine hair"No hair dresser. Barber yes."
Brian W. Barrett replied to Jay Moore's discussion Dealing with an ex post break up"Burn the letter don't send it. It just starts the cycle again. She'll think you want her to help process those feelings and as a extension will try to keep contacting you. . . which you seem to not want because of the emotional swings.
"
Lawless replied to Matthew L Weiss's discussion Umbrellas ok?"I definitely prefer an umbrella over getting soaking wet in the rain! I have several different types, for example, a nice London Fog one in a carrying bag complete with a shoulder strap, a more traditional cane style one with hook handle, and a…"
Brian W. Barrett replied to Herb Munson's discussion The Primacy and Existence of God in the group The Great Debate"Claims of the Bible. . . what if in fact those claims are false? Your argument necessitates the acceptance of those claims as pure truth. What you have respectfully submitted is a logical fallacy called circular reasoning."
Jay Moore replied to Jay Moore's discussion Dealing with an ex post break up"That was actually pretty helpful. I may write the letter you suggested, and I may even send it to her. I'm not sure at this point, but I'm starting to feel like she's not worth my time. I love the girl, and I miss…"
Brian W. Barrett replied to Herb Munson's discussion The Primacy and Existence of God in the group The Great Debate"Ask the jews what they think of John, Matthew, Mark, and Luke."
Alan Kelly joined Randall "Skitch" Hodgson's group
The Guitar = Manly
For the manly who show it through playing the most manly instrument on planet: The Guitar.See More
© 2013 Created by Brett McKay.
Powered by
