I've been ruminating on life and death quite a bit lately. Not in a morose sense, but as a way to understand cycles, evolution, the ebb and flow of existence. This introspection isn't limited to human life but extends to organizations and projects too.
The people around me, they're engrossed in the concept of longevity. For themselves, yes, but this has sparked a parallel train of thought in me about organizations. What's their lifespan? A company folding is usually seen as a tragedy, but should it be?
What if there wasn't a strong enough bond between the product and its market? Maybe the end isn't as sorrowful as it seems then. What if, in its initial stages, the organization had already made its impact, already sowed seeds for other organizations to grow? Maybe it was meant to be a catalyst, sparking something that will last longer than the original entity itself.
Take examples from popular culture - Dave Chappelle's decision to end his show, or Key and Peele wrapping up despite their humor still resonating with audiences. What's to note here is that you can try to prolong the life of a project, but often it comes at a price. It might prevent talented individuals from branching out, from breathing life into new, inspired projects, from using their experience to create something fresh, bigger, and better.
Of course, there are organizations that stand the test of time. They remain relevant, impactful, decades after they first emerged. But there's also the other side to consider. Some organizations that made a real difference, that changed lives, they had their time in the spotlight. And maybe, just maybe, they've played their part and it's time for them to bow out.
Sunsetting, I believe, is not necessarily a negative. It's a part of the cycle, an evolution. There's a dignity in recognizing when an organization or a project has served its purpose, acknowledging its contributions, and then stepping aside for the new wave. And honestly, I don't think there's anything wrong with that.