Start, Stay, or Leave

“How do you know when to start something new, stick with what you’re doing, or walk away?” This timeless question guides Trey Gowdy’s examination for making life’s toughest calls.

1. Start with the End in Mind

Envisioning a goal’s outcome can guide the steps to achieve it. Trey Gowdy’s approach to problem-solving and decision-making begins by focusing on the destination. Instead of starting with the task at hand and working forward, he recommends thinking about the end result first, then planning backward to create a roadmap.

During his first high-pressure murder trial as a federal prosecutor, Gowdy and his team were losing ground despite exhaustive preparation. That’s when he shifted his focus, visualizing the jury’s verdict and crafting the closing argument he believed would sway them. By prioritizing the outcome, Gowdy was able to recalibrate his strategy, securing the conviction. This methodology shaped his success throughout his career.

This approach extends beyond courtroom victories. Whether you’re starting a business or pursuing a personal goal like fitness, identifying milestones along the way and breaking them into actionable steps ensure clarity and momentum. A desired finish creates purpose for the beginning.

Examples

• Gowdy started his trial preparations by working on the closing argument to persuade the jury.
• Writing a business plan with long-term goals (e.g., desired revenue after three years) helps define key steps.
• Planning to run a marathon involves setting progress markers (e.g., running shorter races) that build toward the ultimate finish.

2. Pursue Your Dreams Despite Disbelief

Dreams can feel fragile when loved ones or circumstances challenge them. Gowdy demonstrates the power of resilience by holding tightly to his ambitions despite doubters, including his own father. He pursued his dream of becoming a prosecutor, even when told he wasn’t suited for it.

Growing up in South Carolina, young Trey Gowdy envisioned himself as someone who would serve justice. When his father expressed skepticism about his ability to succeed as a prosecutor, it didn’t extinguish the dream. Instead, Gowdy channeled this lack of belief into fuel to excel in law school, federal internships, and eventually, his role in the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Dreams require ongoing commitment. Revisiting and reshaping them as circumstances evolve ensures alignment with your changing reality. Whether critics question your abilities or opportunities seem scarce, resolve and an adaptable mindset keep dreams alive.

Examples

• Gowdy’s father doubted his capability to become a prosecutor, but Gowdy persisted and succeeded.
• Revisiting a dream to adjust the goal with life changes, like shifting from entrepreneurship to education.
• Staying motivated by transforming criticism into determination to prove others wrong.

3. Know the Power of Prioritizing

Your time and energy are limited, making it essential to define life’s most important aspects. Without clear priorities, decisions can feel adrift and arbitrary. Gowdy learned the necessity of setting priorities when faced with a career-defining offer that threatened his family life.

Gowdy was invited to become the U.S. Attorney for South Carolina. While it was a prestigious opportunity, the long hours and relocation conflicted with putting his family first. After careful reflection, he turned it down — a decision he later cherished. Writing out his values clarified what truly mattered.

By creating a prioritized list and consistently revisiting it, you can weigh new opportunities against your core values. Adjust these priorities as needed, ensuring your choices consistently reflect what’s important.

Examples

• Gowdy turned down a career-promoting role because it wasn’t family-friendly.
• Balancing work and family by writing out and repeatedly reviewing key values.
• Shifting priorities, such as moving from career-driven decisions early to family-focus later in life.

4. Recognize When to Walk Away

Leaving a role or situation can feel daunting, but clinging to what isn’t working can be worse. In 2018, Trey Gowdy realized staying in Congress no longer supported his long-term goals or personal priorities, leading him to step down.

He recognized the importance of weighing the positive elements of staying against the costs of remaining in the role. While his work held value, personal sacrifices loomed larger. Deciding to leave wasn’t easy, but reflecting on his future goals helped him stick to his decision.

Practical tools help clarify such choices. Listing what fulfills and frustrates you can identify imbalances. If negativity outweighs the positives, leaving may be the right move — even if the decision is uncomfortable at first.

Examples

• Gowdy stepped away from Congress despite his passion for service.
• Listing pros and cons of a role shows whether frustrations dominate fulfillment.
• Altering a plan to better align with changing long-term aspirations.

5. Assess Job Satisfaction Regularly

It’s easy to lose track of whether your work aligns with your goals amid daily routines. Job satisfaction requires active assessment. This involves listing things you love and dislike about your job and recognizing patterns.

Such reflection prompted Gowdy to realize Congress no longer suited his goals. This exercise keeps short-term frustrations in perspective while identifying problems that warrant solutions, such as skill gaps or work-life imbalances.

Make reviewing current satisfaction a habit, whether quarterly or yearly, to discern whether to stay or make a leap in your career or role.

Examples

• Writing two lists — loved versus disliked tasks — sheds light on dissatisfaction.
• By examining workplace culture misfits, one can determine it’s time to seek a better fit.
• Revisiting lists periodically keeps satisfaction in perspective over time.

6. Invest in Skills to Stay Relevant

Career stagnation and dissatisfaction can stem from outdated skills. Assessing strengths and looking for chances to grow keep work exciting and meaningful. Gowdy suggests taking stock regularly and acting on emerging trends.

For example, if a tech role demands proficiency in a new language, pursuing certifications or courses ensures professional value while rejuvenating interest. It also demonstrates commitment to improvement, creating opportunities rather than waiting on others.

Approach skill-building as ongoing — evolving with industry trends or personal curiosity to stay sharp.

Examples

• A technology employee learned coding through bootcamps to reinvigorate career prospects.
• Regular assessments of skills helped professionals find workshops and resources to grow.
• Seeking mentorship advanced experience while maintaining engagement.

7. Break Big Goals into Small Steps

Dreaming big often feels overwhelming. Gowdy advises breaking long-term ambitions into manageable milestones, enabling progress even when the finish line seems far away.

Training for a marathon exemplifies this. Setting weekly mileage goals and scheduling half-marathons can tackle the intimidating 26.2-mile challenge step-by-step. Performing a similar breakdown in professional or personal projects ensures movement toward completion.

Reaching smaller benchmarks provides gratification, motivating further efforts and making ambition tangible.

Examples

• Half-marathon goals for running build toward marathon readiness.
• Writing a book involves dividing the project into chapters to tackle daily.
• Launching a product starts with pilot offerings tested on a small scale.

8. Reflect Consistently to Refocus

Dreams change as circumstances evolve. Revisiting past goals keeps ambitions relevant and essential. Gowdy emphasizes pausing to evaluate whether alignment persists or strategies should adjust.

Reflection might reveal accumulated obstacles or even shifts in passion, guiding efforts toward newer, more exciting targets. Revisiting aspirations quarterly or during life transitions ensures alignment with timeless values.

Change is inevitable, but flexible reflection makes it less disruptive and more empowering.

Examples

• A teacher moved into educational tech after realizing her calling evolved with time.
• Reflection revealed a goal conflicting with new circumstances; redirecting energy led to success.
• Life reassessment showed family time overtaking career status as a priority.

9. Limit Negative Influences, Prioritize Support

Voices around you influence your decisions. Gowdy learned this lesson early, tuning out his father’s skepticism and finding encouragement from others during his professional journey.

Negative voices can self-sabotage dreams, while supportive ones amplify determination. Surrounding yourself with positive influences fosters success through reinforcement. Identifying critical or doubting voices minimizes their impact, preserving motivation.

Actively curate relationships that grow and fuel your efforts with thoughtful consideration.

Examples

• Gowdy overcame early negativity by focusing on supporters.
• Entrepreneurs succeeded through collaborative mentorship when doubt loomed.
• Reflecting on influences helped redirect energy toward encouraging environments.

Takeaways

1. Take time each year to reassess whether your current job or role aligns with life goals and values, and be willing to adapt or pivot as needed.
2. Start each major life decision by envisioning the end result, then break it down into achievable milestones.
3. Actively surround yourself with supportive voices while limiting the influence of negativity, ensuring your environment encourages progress and confidence.