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?

Parisa Moayedi | Mindset Coach & Somatic Healer

I have often found there is a thin line between the fear of success and the fear of failure, both of which can keep us trapped in patterns that hinder our growth. When confronted with this challenge, we often gravitate towards what feels most comfortable—and the unknown is usually the most uncomfortable. Yet, it is precisely in that discomfort where the magic happens and where expanded possibilities await. Read more>>

Drew Burnett Gregory | Filmmaker & Senior Editor at Autostraddle

While it’s true that some artists reach a point where they give up their work altogether, I think it’s helpful to discover the myriad of options between “keep going” and “give up.” Often the best work — and even financial success — can be found within that gap. I wanted to make movies from my earliest childhood memories. I made short films with my friends as a teenager. I got into a celebrated film school. Read more>> 

Rishav Raman | Writer and Filmmaker

My philosophy in this regard is about always only doing things that matters to me. So that even if no one else cares about it, it’s alright. I obviously, have big dreams about being successful and wanting people to react to my work positively. However even if I ‘fail’, and it may be tempting to give up, I don’t think I ever will. Because at the end of the day, the most important reason for doing what I do, is for myself and I don’t think I will ever grow tired of my passion. So, in short, I will keep going, till I continue finding joy in what I do. Read more>>

Shadows Hold | Musician

Deciding whether to keep going or give up has always been a tough decision throughout my time being an artist. For me, the deciding factors come down to if am I really enjoying the creation of my music or am I forcing the artistic process to create something new. I want my work to be a genuine representation of the inside of my mind through audio, and if the music doesn’t feel like me I decide to pivot my creative process into an authentic depiction of who I am. Read more>>

Jason Eldredge

I think Dustin Hoffman once said in an interview something about how he quits acting all of the time. Basically, after every movie, he tells everyone: “I’m done. I’m retiring.” And then inevitably, he ends up doing another film. Hearing that really stuck with me, because as an artist, one of the biggest challenges is thinking about whether or not to keep going. I think giving yourself the permission to “quit” actually allows you the opportunity to surrender and take a break. You can then revisit things later on with a fresh perspective. Read more>>

Dana Shermiste

Always keep going, it’s only going to end when you stop trying. Read more>>

Qiujun Ma

First, I need to know what my goal is. Once I have a clear and realistic goal, everything I do is aimed at achieving that goal. Whether or not this thing is related to my goal determines whether I choose to give up or keep going. Secondly, I need to have a clear understanding of my abilities and avoid aiming too high. Some challenges can be overcome with effort, and in such cases, I should choose to keep going. Read more>>

Brandon Holden

The way I know whether or not to give up is by evaluating the situation for what it truly is. I ask myself, “Is it really as bad as it seems, or is this just a learning situation?” Most things in life fall into that second category—opportunities to learn and grow. That’s why I honestly just never give up. Read more>>

Tomoki Nomura

I believe it’s important to persist, but also to regularly reassess your goals and strategies. If you find yourself hitting a wall, it might be a sign that the timing isn’t right or that your approach needs adjustment. Instead of relentlessly pushing against obstacles, consider reevaluating and adapting your strategy. Flexibility and a willingness to rethink your approach can often lead to better outcomes. Read more>>

Jack Kenway Cheng

There are constant struggles in life, there will be so many moments where we question if we should keep going or not. Is it worth it? Does this make me happy? Does this actually sustain my life? These are all questions that we constantly ask ourselves throughout our career and pursuing our dreams. Sometimes our dreams aren’t able to sustain a living for us and sometimes when we do sustain a living, it’s not what we wanna do. Read more>>