Quitting: Why I Left My Job to Live a Life of Freedom

Written by Keith Boykin

Narrated by Keith Boykin

In a society which promises that great things come from hard work, Keith Boykin counters that great things come from quitting. Boykin writes that quitting “is for anyone” — quitting your job, your city, your relationship, and anything else that doesn’t serve you.

At twenty-seven years old, Boykin left behind a lucrative law career to work for the Clinton administration in the White House. But when his skills were underutilized, he quit his prestigious post after two years. Boykin soon went on to write the New York Times best seller Beyond the Down Low: Sex, Lies, and Denial in Black America, an examination of race and sexual orientation in the Black community.

Since then, Boykin has quit a string of jobs, careers, organizations, and residences in pursuit of the autonomy and purpose that he eventually achieved. To him, nothing is more important than personal freedom: not money, not the veneer of success, and certainly not goals that other people have for his life. Quitting means change. And change is the first step on the path to freedom.

Cut to 2021, and Boykin is cheering on the 47 million Americans who left their jobs — for many a good reason — in what has become known as the Great Resignation. This new wave of “quitters” may not be quitting the White House, as Boykin did. Instead, it’s about quitting jobs that he considers to be eternal “preplanned treadmills” rather than valued ways of life.

In this candid memoir, Keith Boykin takes you on a roller-coaster ride of successes and failures that ultimately leads to a meaningful existence beyond “the identity of your employment.” Quitting: Why I Left My Job to Live a Life of Freedom is the bold encouragement that will push you toward making changes to live life on your terms.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Everand Originals
• Release date: Oct 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781094453545

Keith Boykin

Keith Boykin is a TV and film producer, national political commentator, New York Times best-selling author, and a former White House aide to President Bill Clinton. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, Keith has taught at the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University, City College of New York, and American University in Washington, D.C. He is a co-founder and first board president of the National Black Justice Coalition and a Lambda Literary Award-winning author of five books. Keith was a co-host of the BET talk show “My Two Cents,” starred on the Showtime reality television series “American Candidate,” worked as an associate producer of the film “Dirty Laundry,” and has appeared on numerous TV shows. Born in St. Louis, Keith has lived in 12 cities, visited 48 of the 50 United States, and traveled the world. He currently lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews for Quitting

[John Moss · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am trying t o be successful in life. This makes a lot of sense for me . He reminded me of the things that I can let go in my life. & new ways to help me improve & implement myself.

[Tracy Heck · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Though the beginning was hard to get through, the end made up for it. First part of book seemed more like a resume and the importance of one’s life which seemed the author kept one at a distance. Towards the end, the author lets you in to the true guts of the book. Good read with great points- just stick it out!

[Garrett Wood · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I found the book to have very notable quotes, but the circular nature of story telling more to be desired.

[robin · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I really expected more from this based on the glowing reviews. So much time spent “setting the record straight” and talking about his connections. Also annoyingly political. Less about quitting and how to look for the right opportunities to feel fulfilled in life than I hoped.

[Rose Sam · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is a great inspiration for me to start something

[angela fortune · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the first account I’ve read by a fellow Gen X that encourages the attitudes of Millennials and younger…and it’s about time! Thank you, Keith, for giving us permission to stop living to work, living for pleasing others and living for society. While I’m not ready to QUIT my day job, this book has opened my eyes to the many changes I can make to better my life. I look forward to Quitting.

[Teodora Alexandra · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

From time to time we all need a reminder on why we quit and why we should keep going .

[Eric Crim · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very well written, full of their life experiences; explanations for how those choices helped them become who they were. "A CEO regularly is paid the same as what a employee making minimum wage for a whole year, before the employees first break."

[Bri · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As a fellow “Quitter” I was excited to get this book and found it overall lovely. I do agree that this seemed to be a biography of sorts with not much in the way of the amount of gems and takeaways we as readers could grab onto. It’s a “I did it and so can you!” Story. The piece where he lost everything was truly touching. Overall I’m excited for Keith sharing this much needed conversation of breaking the societal norms and contracts that have been in place for far too long.

[Sean Brannon · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A concise personal story of finding freedom from the daily grind by ceasing to do things just for money. I appreciated the author's vulnerability with his struggles and his honesty about the challenge that comes with "quitting." I am not sure how much of it I will be applying right now, but I do think this book has continued to nourish the seeds in my mind about what I am doing with my life vs. what I want to be doing.

[Philip Weatherspoon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's a good, short read/listen....it was great to learn about the highs and lows of Mr. Boykin's career. It's a reminder that your career can be unconventional as long as you are building the life that you enjoy the most

[NeosoulNoona · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book. As someone who makes a living in an unconventional way, it was a breath of fresh air.

[Desirae Fields · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

There were some good points, but didn’t necessarily keep my attention

[Miguel Angelo Rosales · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book. I will treasure this book as my companion in life.

[John Getty · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent. Authentic. A compass for someone on their path to freedom, for them!!

[Cedric Austin Nash · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very thought provoking. I really enjoyed being quiet and listening.

[Awstyn Cochran · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book spoke to me in so many ways! Finding myself in similar spaces that Keith did professionally really shed a light on the decisions I’ve made and put into perspective many things for me. I love his transparency and how this book is soulfully written. Well done Keith. Recommend to anyone exploring the entrepreneurial life from corporate America!

[Helen Woodward · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good listening!! I recommend it to other people to try it!!

[lenee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really like this book it wasn't filled with fluff and stuff. It gave a real life example of what pursuing your dreams really look like.

[Patricia Arnold · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an entertaining and thoughtful look at a young man's quest for freedom. Keith's bumpy path to success supplied plenty of material for his skillful storytelling. Readers will be inspired by his encouraging words and grateful for his wisdom and caution.

[Olivia Nakuya Livy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved it. I have been encouraged to quit. Nice

[Andrew Deegear · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Repetitive and not super helpful. Just somewhat interesting to hear about his life

[Dex Ortega · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I can totally relate to him and he gave me the explanation I cant find within me. Thank you for writing this book.

[Joey Harris · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Congrats Keith! Keep inspiring us. Very proud of u ?

[Quintien · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing work, very insightful, and Keith is a true role model.

[Scott Standish · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great story and great inspiration for those of us looking for more in life than just a paycheck!

[Hongling Sunny Deng · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book came at the right time
While my struggling with my daughter’s
college decisions. Mr Boykin shows us how the life can turn up to be by using his own life experience with many choices . Thank you, Mr Boykin.

[Bekah Page Turner · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm giving this book a very generous 3 star rating for it's entertainment value of being essentially a memoir. According to the description and Keith Boykin "quitting is for everyone" and that's a cute saying but he does not make a compelling case for that belief with this book. Sure, quitting can be for anyone who can fall back on a law degree and book speaking engagements and gets offered book deals but that's not everyone now is it?

[Bharat HD · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It did have some good advice, however, this is often lost in the immense amount of information that the author shares about himself. Often needlessly. It feels like name-dropping at one point. I would have enjoyed the book a lot more if it had been edited better, and shortened.

[Dylan Silverstein · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awesome, thoughtful, and incredibly insightful. Keith is an inspirational thinker and a role model!!