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?

Melesia Robinson | Couture Designer

When facing the difficult decision of whether to continue pursuing a goal or give it up, I have found it helpful to take a constructive approach. Rather than focusing solely on the challenges and potential roadblocks, I evaluate my goals, passions, and circumstances in a positive light. I reflect on my commitment and enthusiasm, considering how I can overcome any obstacles that may arise. Seeking feedback from trusted individuals and evaluating my progress objectively helps me stay on track. I remain open to adjusting my approach, assessing resource investments, and considering the impact on my emotional well-being. I also factor in the potential for learning and growth, and am willing to redefine success if needed. Read more>>

Subramanya Kalal | Filmmaker

For me, giving up is never an option. What we fail to understand is that when something isn’t working, it’s time to take a step back and look at what’s wrong, to find the answers, but not to give up on everything that you have ever worked hard for. I believe in consistency. From where I come from, it’s a tough line to determine the results, and at the same time, you never know how close you are to getting what you want. Based on my experience working in films, you have to be clear on what you want, because that’s where the lines are blurred. When you set something “approximately,” “vaguely,” or “more or less,” and are unclear about it, or for that matter, decide to switch those goals in the middle of its pursuit, then it becomes ten times harder to achieve what you wanted in the first place. Read more>>

Antonio Sacre | Storyteller and Writer

There are two things I think about: joy and money.

If the pursuit brings me joy, I keep going. The older I get, the more the term joy changes. Joy for me when I first started had to do with achievement, recognition, and career milestones. While is still true for me now, I also find joy in reading books that won’t necessarily advance my career but will expand my knowledge and exercise my brain. I find joy in a hike in the hills with friends or family. And I find great joy in my writing practice. Often I write on deadline or for pay, and I am so grateful I get to do that. But most of the time, I’m writing for just the joy of writing. Getting myself to a place where I can sit quietly with my ideas and with my notebook and pen (on creating days) or at my computer (getting it ready for my agent and publisher days) and see my ideas form with a chance to live in other forms (books or screenplays) in the world gives me the encouragement to keep going. Read more>>

Emanuel Robinson | Singer, Songwriter, Performer

In my journey of self discovery and my discovery of myself as an artist, I’ve had to learn how to trust. It’s easy to put your trust in something or someone you can or have experienced. However, it’s hard to trust in something that hasn’t come into reality. I’ve learned, through my experiences, to surrender myself to whatever life brings my way and trust the it’s all for my good in the end, and this has been my truth in my life. Now, it’s hard to trust in something or a belief that you’ve seen other have given up, but I’ve learned that my story of my life and journey, isn’t like everyone else’s. So when I accept that truth, it allows me to trust in the process, as long as I keep moving and working towards my goals and dreams. And a lot of times, once you open yourself up to giving in and trusting your process, you’ll receive a lot of validation to reassure you that you are on the right path. Read more>>