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?

Levi Petree | Songwriter & Actor

I feel like that can change from day to day. But if it’s in you, it’s always gonna be there bugging you to get out. If you create something you’re proud of and then take a chance putting it into the world, It’s hard if you don’t see the results you hoped for. But I keep going and think others should because it means you’re following through on what unique thing you have to offer to the world. If we’re lucky, maybe it’ll speak to other people and find them in the time they need it. But at the very least, you’re doing something you can proud of. That’s a treat we maybe don’t give ourselves enough. And any time self-doubt starts to creep in, I do this little trick of putting one thing on the calendar to be excited about. Whether it’s a release or a show, that’s how you keep momentum going and makes me feel good about whatever is coming next. Read more>>

Alexander Kussovski

I live by the principle “always keep going”! Whatever life puts on your way you have to keep pushing because your dream is stronger than any obstacle. I even wrote and acted in a movie called “Keep Going”. It’s about a lad that doesn’t give up and becomes an actor. For me giving up is not an option. There is only one path and it goes up, it’s called success. Read more>>

Naoko Tamada

Sai Zen products were initially created to help my mother combat hair thinning, a struggle she faced for many years. Yet, as fate would have it, she developed Alzheimer’s and dementia, and our close bond began to unravel as she became increasingly aggressive toward me. The woman who had once been my source of love and strength started treating me as though I were an enemy, and my family’s harmony was torn apart. I was consumed by despair, crying daily, and even questioned my will to keep going. The passion I had for this product, born out of love for my mother, began to fade away. Read more>>

Brandon Spring

I think all creatives probably feel tempted to give up at some point. When things don’t go as expected, especially when you’ve worked hard and tried to have your ducks in a row, you start to question things. And it gets easy to compare and wonder if you’re on the right path. I’ve felt that. What’s kept me going as a creative is learning that my life and trajectory are my own; everyone has their path and the one I’m on is unique to me. Also, I don’t think I’ll ever give up as long as I’m breathing because I don’t plan on stopping pursuing art and filmmaking; I’m a lifelong student. Read more>>

Alexandra Bonner

My answer would be God, my family, and my friends. God has placed so many dreams in my heart for a reason, and I will always be actively and efficiently working toward those dreams until they happen. My friends and family also consistently encourage me to keep working hard. So, to be honest, giving up is not an option for me, because God would never want me to give up. If I run into problems, I will find every possible solution to work through them because anything is possible with a positive mindset and a belief that you can do anything you put your mind to. Read more>>