DEAR ABBY: How does a person quit being a quitter? At 46, I have realized that this is what I am. I have quit everything -- church, jobs, school. If I don't like a friend, I just drop the person. The same goes for books, exercise -- everything! How do you stop the lifelong habit of quitting? -- QUITTER IN CHARLESTON
DEAR CHARLESTON: I hate to see you give yourself a pejorative label. It's time to have yourself evaluated because it is possible you suffer from attention deficit disorder -- and if you do, there is help for it.
If that's not the case, then start small, give yourself a goal you can accomplish and don't stop until you have reached it. It doesn't have to be anything complicated, but see it through. Then give yourself another, more difficult assignment and finish it.
Perseverance is a skill that can be learned. Each time you succeed, you will reinforce the idea that you can do it. The more you do this, the better you will feel about yourself, and it will be reflected in your work and social relationships.