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.

Alixandrée Claire | Actor

Well 1rst off, I never had a Plan B. I still sometimes wonder if that was a smart decision, or very naive. My thought process is, if there was a career that you really wanted to pursue, then you should put everything you’ve got into it. If you have a Plan B, then maybe subconsciously you are preparing yourself for failure. It’s kind of like manifesting, but in the opposite way. I believe that If what you’re pursuing is the one thing that is going to feed your soul, then DO NOT GIVE UP. That being said, if life starts to lead you down a different path, and you see that there may be more opportunities in this direction than the one you were on, be open to it. I try not to use the term “give up,” it’s more like shift. That shift could end up changing your life for the better. Read more>>

Erica von Kleist | Musician & Educator

This question often goes in cycles for me. I have moments where I seriously consider giving up as a working musician trying to self-promote, self-book, self-do everything. I often feel like an Island, surrounded by thoughts of having made bad decisions in my career. To boot, there are often moments of comparing myself to others and thinking that I haven’t worked hard enough, or that I’m lazy. In these moments I think about what it would be like to abandon my path and go the “safe” route by finding a steady job, knowing that I at least tried. But then I realize how unhappy I would be if I gave up, especially years down the road. Would 80-year-old me be proud of me? Would she have regrets? Would she wish I had just pushed a little harder, explored a little deeper, believed in myself a little more? Success is really right around the corner, and I’d hate to quit right before turning that corner. So I keep going. The regret in old age would be too much of a burden to bear. Read more>>

Byron Carvil Cecil Napier | SAG-AFTRA Actor & Motion Capture & Voice Over & Stunts

You just know the feeling to keep going. I just know to keep going and never give ever since back in 2010 when this lady at grocery store open up my life into acting share me information about to get started I just knew this is evidence to keep going I call it The Odyssey Pokémon Journey towards the path of victory in life. Im still on faith street. All Bets are in and I cant never stop. Read more>>

Anthony Scarzafava | Artist

In my case, there is no choice to be made. I was born with this thing in me. The compulsion to make art is greater than any competing forces. There is a certain level of madness to keep going when you are not getting feedback, not making a living at it.. But there is a compulsion to keep doing it, to keep making art. It’s not a profession, it’s a calling. There’s no ‘give up’ – it’s make the work or die (metaphorically). Read more>>