To pivot or to persevere? Or more bluntly – to give up or to not to give up? This is a haunting question, a question that has ramifications far after an answer has been chosen and it’s also a question that almost everyone in our community has had to face at one time or another. How do you know when to give up and when to keep trying?

Malia Arrayah | Actress, Creative, Author

I think that when you stop having fun with what you are doing, it may be a time to look into another direction. Never give up on temporary setbacks, or roadblocks those are the moments that make you stronger and help you grow. Read more>>

Armontae Harris | Indie Game Developer & DJ

Determining whether to keep going or to give up is a challenge every creative and entrepreneur faces. For me, it boils down to passion, feedback, and adaptability. Read more>>

Yiling Zeng | Independent animation director

Take a break, step back from what I’m currently on. Ask myself two questions. First off, am I creating anything that surprises me? Or am I just doing repetitive work? And more importantly, will I eventually enjoy the experience? If the answers are yes, then keep going. Read more>>

Craig Greiwe | Business Executive

We live in a world where there’s almost an overwhelming amount of “inspiration” from influencers, paid speakers, and self-proclaimed thought leaders. Every one of them tries to paint this model of perseverance based on some type of “it will all work out if you put the work in” mentality. And while I endorse perseverance, culture today has progressed to a point of “toxic positivity.” The answer is sometimes it doesn’t always work out, and sometimes it’s not always for the best. Read more>>

Karma Lush | Makeup Artist/Drag Queen

When asking yourself whether to keep going or give up, you’re not going to get a simple answer. You have to dig deeper and ask yourself, “Does this align with my goals and desires?” Read more>>

Christian Bowman | Private Chef Christian Bowman

As a private chef, I believe knowing whether to keep going or to give up boils down to passion, resilience, and dedication. From the start, I knew that being a chef was what I truly wanted to do, and I accepted that it wouldn’t always be easy. The culinary world demands hard work, long hours, and constant growth. But for me, the key was loving what I do. Every dish, every challenge, and every opportunity to learn kept me motivated. Read more>>