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?

Keegan Trumpour | Singer/ Songwriter, Musician

There’s a fine line the artist rides in the complete unknowing of the aforementioned; I think it is in these times of struggle and adversity, and willingness to give up that one can create some of their most thoughtfully impactful works. Read more>>

Tayler Turner | Actress, Voice-Over Artist, and Creator

Sometimes, we can find ourselves at a crossroads of deciding whether or not to give up based on our circumstances and our feelings or motivation about our dream. The one sign you need in order to keep going rather than giving up depends on the amount of time you’ve spent dwelling on the voluntary and involuntary daydreams of your dearest desire. Read more>>

Justine Cohen | Spirit Baby Medium – The Fertility Oracle

“Keep going” is a mantra given to me by a very special soulmate friend. These two simple words have helped me through so much. I’ve also heard that the only difference between success and failure is that success is just farther down the line. Read more>>

Katey Arlowa Rene de Cotret | Illustrator, Animator and Animation Teacher

Something I have always wanted to do is be an illustrator for myself. It’s scary to start but I keep telling myself the time is going to pass anyway, so I might as well start now and do it scared. Read more>>

Emily & Eliah Tan | Spice & Tea Purveyors

First things first: Keep going until you know for sure you won’t continue moving forward on the same path. I think “giving up” has a pretty negative connotation. Everything comes to an end at some point. Not continuing forward with a business or project that isn’t working for you, could be looked at as a pivot or even an ending, but it certainly shouldn’t be considered a failure or giving up. Read more>>

Jennifer Estridge | Art Director, Content Creator, and Social Media Manager

I love this question personally because the fear of appearing ‘weak’ for ‘giving up’ held me back from finding happiness in my early career. I studied Motion Design and Animation at the Savannah College of Art and Design, pouring my heart and soul into it. I made friends who are some of the most talented in the field. Read more>>

Tracy Clifton | Producer, Screenwriter, & Actress

Part of the growth you experience as an artist is you start trusting your own intuition, and it comes in really handy when you face the question of whether to keep going or to give up, particularly in the volatile and inconsistent entertainment industry. Read more>>

Zavior Phillips | Comedian & TV Writer

Simple. Always keep going and never give up. I don’t mean that in the “cat poster” way. Or in the “alpha male podcaster” way. I more so mean that, to me, it’s less about giving up and more about adapting. I’m only a few years into my comedy career and I’ve already hit plenty of roadblocks I didn’t see coming, but never did it occur to me to stop altogether. Read more>>

Diego Torres-Casso | Artist, Community Organizer, Educator, & Photographer

I move and make decisions with my heart and gut. When I try something it’s because I have a strong interest in it or a general curiosity of learning something new. I allow that curiously to guide me and try my hardest to not give up. Read more>>