Never give up. It’s advice that is thrown around daily – but is it always right? We asked some folks we admire about their thoughts around how to know when to give up and when to keep trying.

Zalen Cigainero | Random Artist

“You’re gonna die someday. Do something about it.” is the advice I’ve always stuck with when it comes to “giving up”. Nothing has resonated clearer than that. Read more>>

Tess Crowther | Cellist

That’s a tough question.. I think for me I have a deep sense of trust in the idea that wherever you are is where you are meant to be. There have actually been several times where I have tried to give up, or intended to give up, or did give up for a period of time, but I was pushed (or pulled) back to music and back to playing cello. So I don’t think there is really a way to know, I think you just have to follow your intuition as best you can, and the pieces will fall exactly where they should. If you really feel in your heart that you’re not happy and you should quit, try. There’s a great quote from one of Elizabeth Gilbert’s books that has always stuck with me “If you happen to discover after a few years away from [your craft] that you have found nothing that takes its place in your life – nothing that fascinates you, or moves you, or inspires you to the same degree that [that] once did… well, then, I’m afraid you will have no choice but to persevere.” Life is to short to spend it doing things you don’t love. Read more>>

Julie Hemsky | Jewelry Designer

Ask yourself, does it bring you joy? I think that’s one of the most important questions we need to be asking ourselves and on the regular. If what you do brings you joy, pursue it. Even if it doesn’t turn into a full time career or a business. If you truly enjoy doing something but have other things on the go in terms of career / work, then try to continue with it and perhaps turn it into a hobby. Bottom line, anything that brings you joy and makes you happy is usually a great sign to keep going! If it doesn’t, it will become more of a burden than anything and that to me is the number one sign it’s time to stop and reevaluate. I really believe that the energy we give out when doing anything affects everything. Read more>>

Shellie Neuman | Corporate Event Planner | Business Owner | Mother

What an applicable topic for the times right now! Professionally, my business partner and I have been challenged more than ever during this season. After starting our business almost 6 years ago, we were slated to have our best year yet financially and opportunity-wise. That is, until March approached us and the entire live events world shut down, immediately. Every flight canceled, all hotel contracts postponed or voided, every one of our beloved vendor/partner contracts halted, all registration sites shut down and both our reality and dreams put to the test. Being a small business, we had a choice to do the same (shut down) or keep doing what we’ve been doing all along: adapting, being optimistic, getting creative, learning, going to Plan B, advising and consoling our clientele, being a friend/confidant and most importantly – continue dreaming. Read more>>

Christiana Yebra | Creator @ Currently & CEO of Vouch

I used to feel a lot of shame when considering whether to “give up” on a project, a role, a relationship, or a business. An unpopular opinion that I have, it’s ok to give up. It takes maturity and wisdom to know when it’s time to close one book and open another. When a business or role, maybe even a friendship, is no longer bringing value or happiness to your life, it’s time to explore what may live beyond it. To some, giving up may seem like the easier option. But in my experience, the projects, businesses, and roles I’m most passionate about are the hardest to let go of. This year has shown us that the entrepreneurial spirit is still strong. Creative ideas and solutions are bottled up and ready to be unleashed. If you’re feeling stuck, dig deep, ask questions, talk to friends, and if it’s time, turn the page to the next chapter. Read more>>

Korey Manuel and Dana Chavez | Recording Artists/Musicians/Songwriters

Faith has a funny way of manifesting itself. Korey – “I don’t know what else I would do. Being a musician is all I have ever known, there is no alternative. The music is in my blood. Before I met Dana, I loved making music and had a passion for it. However, there were many years when that passion didn’t have direction or clear goals. After Dana and I started writing songs together, I have had a much clearer picture of what I want to do and how I want to do it. This helps me keep focused on the big picture goals whenever resistance tries to discourage. Resistance can be anything that attempts to stop us and it never lets up. Knowing you’re doing what you’re meant to do, with the person you’re meant to do it with is extremely helpful.” Dana considers her faith to keep going “intuitive, despite having to push through spells of fear and self doubt. Read more>>

Fred Willis | Digital Media Entrepreneur & Freelance Journalist

August 12,2020 somewhere close to midnight my world came crashing down! Everything I had built over the last five years was gone in an instant! I was in my room preparing to lay down and saw a message pop up on my phone which read, “your station has been deleted as you requested.” I grabbed my phone and after reading the message, I knew I wouldn’t be going to bed any time soon. In fact, the first two hours of my thirty-eighth birthday were spent communicating with customer service in England about how my station got deleted. I was lost…I was frozen. Because I began my station before the CRB ruling of 2016, I relayed my station to another stream host to cover royalty fees. That served as my backup but it wasn’t sufficient. I moved to another stream host and still didn’t feel satisfied. Read more>>

Nancy Lamb | Nancy Lamb, Visual Artist

For me quitting has never been an option, There have been times when I’ve definitely had to be malleable or experiment, but I’ve created it the way I’ve wanted. It may be a cliche, that you should do what you love but its true, and if you do you’ll figure out how to make it work!! Read more>>

Nicol Jean Southall | Artist & Health Insurance Broker

We are so hard on ourselves. We often think if we don’t succeed based on our own high expectations, we fail. Many start journeys in life but never finish due to opposition or self doubt but those very thoughts are the thoughts that end up motivating me to keep going. It is what we do with that doubt that determines our success, to bad there aren’t guidelines that can help dictate the path we should take when we struggle with decisions. If there is doubt, than you keep going, that is the art of living. Going opens up opportunities and pathways to new beginnings. Those experiences aren’t worth missing out on. I have sat and thought about my life not creating and those thoughts leave me empty, a void. Give up when your heart no longer desires something, so until then you keep going. Read more>>