To persevere or to pivot is a question that do-ers have been asking themselves since the beginning of time. It’s never a straight road when you are doing something new, blazing a trail, breaking a ceiling, or pushing boundaries, so it’s only natural to wonder whether to give up midway. How do you know whether to keep going or to give up?

Cutter Slagle | Writer

For me, in terms of writing, giving up has never been an option. I define myself as a writer. There may be times (okay, a lot of times!) when I feel discouraged or not fully satisfied with where I am in my writing career, but that doesn’t ever make me want to give up. Sure, I may take breaks or time off from working on a manuscript or article, and I definitely complain to close friends and family when I’m feeling particularly frustrated or “stuck,” but I still don’t ever consider giving up. Read more>> 

Destiny Fleets | Influencer – Food, Travel and Lifestyle

I’ve always had an optimistic approach in life. Imagining what life would be like if I decided to give up instead of keep going, I feel it my heart and my spirit that this is the path for me. It will be ups and downs, highs and lows. Remembering consistency is key. But always remember to do everything with intention. Giving up is just not an option. Let’s say if I ever felt discouraged I will remind myself why I’m doing what I’m doing and the work it took to get where I’m at. Read more>>

Walker T. Roman | Painter and Fine Artist

I’ve given up and decided to keep going many times. I don’t think of them as necessarily opposites but just different phases in the same process of continual exploration and discovery that make an art practice unique. The trick is knowing when to use each one. A few years ago I was pushing really hard to develop a new body of paintings made with polished graphite. I knew what I wanted them to do but had no idea how to make it happen. I spent almost a year messing around with poured wax and plaster, trying to get just the right surface, but it was never right and always for different reasons. Read more>>

James Mandavia | Entrepreneur/ CEO

Risk-taking has been the cornerstone of my business success. Without taking risks, I would not be where I am today. Through my journey, I have learned the critical distinction of when to take risks and when to refrain. This discernment has saved considerable time and resources. Embracing risk at a young age significantly increases the likelihood of success, providing invaluable experience and insight. Read more>>

Stormi Zezotarski | Full-time Illustrator

I almost feel like that’s all my young adult and teenage life has ever been, honestly. And maybe part of that (in my younger years) comes from not fully understanding the gravity of the decisions I was making- thus not having a sense of fear rather than a “what’s the worst that can happen?” type of energy. When you’re young you feel invincible, and you haven’t quite experienced how the world works yet. Well, at least for myself, growing up in a home where imagination and the pursuit of big dreams was encouraged, even creative ones. Read more>>

Rebecca Elias Abboud | Media Maker

If you were to have asked me this question a decade ago, it would be a completely different answer. In my 20s, I was nervous, scared, insecure. I went after 9-5 media jobs with 401ks and what I thought was a sense of safety, of stability. Now in my late 30s, I feel differently. Why? Because after ~10 years of working at one of the most prestigious companies in my area, I took a leap, my first risk. I went to a small startup to be their first producer on staff. It was an uphill battle, explaining media and technology, constantly fighting for what I needed to create a product that I was proud of.  Read more>>