BrO cUt HeR oFf
Why the FUCK do you still follow your ex on Instagram? Seriously, block her already, BrO.
JOKING —that’s so fucking immature.
The truth is, you don’t always need to burn bridges, but there are times when you need to cut people off, especially in business.
The Leadership Cut: Why You Gotta Be Ruthless
In business, you have to know when to draw the line. There’s no room for dead weight, and that means being ruthless when it’s time to let someone go. It’s not about being heartless; it’s about protecting what you’re building. If someone on your team isn’t meeting expectations, you need to face the facts and make the tough call.
I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. Twice. Two projects down the drain because I picked the wrong people and wasted time trying to fix them instead of letting go. The arrogance of thinking you can “save” someone or that they’ll magically transform overnight? That’s a trap. Almost a year of my life was gone because I didn’t know when to cut them off. Don't be "cAptaIn sAve a HoE"
This is something I’m still trying to master. It’s tough as hell, but I’m learning to recognize when it’s time to let go. I’m getting better at it, but it’s a work in progress.
I just watched this panel at UCLA and what stuck with me comes from Masayoshi Son, the founder of SoftBank. Nikesh Arora, who worked with him, shared one of the most impactful things Masa taught him: “If you go spend that time with a company that's growing at three times, they can grow at six times—we'll make our money up six times in that company instead of you trying to fix that from half back to one.”
Cutting Off in Your Personal Life
Here’s the thing—cutting people off in your personal life isn’t about going scorched earth and setting fire to every bridge behind you. It’s about being strategic and protecting your peace. Not everyone deserves a front-row seat to your life, and that’s perfectly fine. Some people are like expired milk in the fridge: you know they’re bad for you, but you keep them around because you’re too lazy to throw them out.
You have to be real with yourself and ask: Is this person contributing to my growth, or are they just taking up space? I used to think that every failed relationship meant I had to burn it all down and walk away. But over time, I realized it’s more about knowing when to step back and say, “This isn’t working for me.”
The Masa Method: Cut Your Losses, Focus on Winners
Masa’s approach to investments is ruthless but effective. He doesn’t waste time trying to fix what’s broken. If something’s not yielding results, he moves on and focuses on what’s working. And that’s a lesson we all need to apply in our lives. There’s no point in holding onto something that’s dragging you down, whether it’s a business partnership, a friendship, or even a relationship.
And just because you cut someone off doesn’t mean you have to be an asshole about it. It’s about finding that balance—letting go without leaving a trail of destruction behind you.
Why We Struggle to Cut People Off
Let’s face it, most of us are terrible at this because we’re afraid of being seen as the bad guy. We want to be liked, to be the hero, the one who helps everyone around us succeed. But not everyone deserves to be on this journey with you. There are people who are perfectly fine living in their comfort zone, and that’s cool—for them. But you’re not here to babysit.
The saying goes, “You become like the five people you spend the most time with.” If four of those people are just dragging their feet, guess what? You’re about to be the fifth one doing the same. Don’t let that be your story.
Bridging Gaps Without Burning Bridges
Cutting people off doesn’t have to mean a dramatic fallout. You’re not in a soap opera. Sometimes, you just need to let the relationship cool off and create some distance. I had a fight once with a friend in high school—full-on fists thrown, thought we’d never speak again. Fast forward a few years, and we managed to reconnect because we didn’t let that one moment define us.
The point is, you can cut someone off without making them an enemy. It’s all about how you handle it. You’ve got to communicate, be clear about why you’re stepping back, and leave the door cracked open for the possibility of a future connection.
Learn When to Let Go
Look, cutting people off isn’t about being cold-hearted; it’s about valuing your time, energy, and growth. You’re not going to please everyone, and that’s okay. Not everyone is meant to ride with you until the end. Your job is to identify the ones who add value to your journey and cut ties with the ones who don’t.
It’s not easy—it’s never easy—but it’s necessary. Just remember, you’re not doing this to be spiteful or petty; you’re doing this to protect what you’re building. Be like Masayoshi Son: focus on scaling the winners in your life, and don’t waste time on the ones who aren’t ready to grow.
