There is a problem solving perspective in which one is searching a tree of sub-goals. Nodes that are a conjunction of sub-goals are straight forward. You have to solve all the sub-goals, so if you get stuck on one of them you mustn't quit.
Nodes that are a disjunction of sub-goals are much harder to manage. Sometimes the problem is solvable (because, say, the 10th sub-goal is solvable) but the first 9 sub-goals are insoluble. You cannot solve the problem without quitting on nine of the sub-goals (or quitting on your original choice of search order).
Life often throws you problems that you cannot solve if you refuse to quit (from failing sub-goals). Sometimes, taking the attitude that "a winner never quits" guarantees failure.
Comments
There is a problem solving perspective in which one is searching a tree of sub-goals. Nodes that are a conjunction of sub-goals are straight forward. You have to solve all the sub-goals, so if you get stuck on one of them you mustn't quit.
Nodes that are a disjunction of sub-goals are much harder to manage. Sometimes the problem is solvable (because, say, the 10th sub-goal is solvable) but the first 9 sub-goals are insoluble. You cannot solve the problem without quitting on nine of the sub-goals (or quitting on your original choice of search order).
Life often throws you problems that you cannot solve if you refuse to quit (from failing sub-goals). Sometimes, taking the attitude that "a winner never quits" guarantees failure.