How do you know when you should keep going versus when it makes sense to cut your losses and try something new? It’s a difficult decision most entrepreneurs and creatives have faced along their journey and so we asked some brilliant folks from the community to share their thoughts.

Eric Miller | Content Creator & Entrepreneur

There are several factors that play into my decision between moving forward and giving up. Truthfully, first and foremost, the decision takes deep self-reflection. Millions of us deeply desire to achieve certain things in life, whether it be weight loss, graduating from college, starting a business, or mastering how to play the piano, to name a few. But the sad reality is that most people aren’t willing to put in the work to see these things through because the tasks at hand get too complicated, time-consuming, or lack a fun or exciting element that offers us immediate satisfaction. Read more>>

Heng Zeng | Illustrator

I make long-term plans carefully before I start to do something. I evaluate a lot of things, including, of course, the implementability of the thing. More importantly, I will think about if I could have long-term positive emotions about it. In my opinion, emotions are the most important thing for everyone to live, and if something can keep us under stress for years and years, then it must be something that needs to be given up. Read more>>

Adrian Hall | Entrepreneur | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | Intuitive Coach

The direction in both of my businesses has always come from an internal place. There’s a knowing that comes to the surface that says “this is where we’re going” sometimes without an understanding of the bigger picture. While thoughts about “not wanting to do this anymore” have come up over the years, as they do with any worthwhile commitment, there has never been an exit in my mind. There have only been pivots. When frustration or bitterness come up, it means there’s a progression required; Read more>>

Martlet Tattoo | The Martlet Tattoo Parlor

As for owning a business, or at least opening one, that might be a number one question that creeps up on you from time to time. There are many factors that come into play with this question. How busy are you? What do your customers think? Does anyone care? Those are normal everyday questions that come up monthly, even daily, for some business owners/creatives, not including the recent pandemic we all had to experience. The answer can come in many forms. When we feel discouraged and deflated, which we all do at times, we have to remember the positive impact we may be having on our surroundings and community. Read more>>