If not giving up was always the right answer life would be so easy. History shows us that sometimes quitters prosper and sometimes they miss out.  Knowing when to quit and when to keep going is one of the most difficult questions and so we asked folks we admire to tell us how they think through this question.

Ci Majr | Songwriter

If you have a dream that is truly your dream or a passion that is truly your passion, there’s no way you could give up on it. Dreamers can’t stop themselves. It’s like a compulsion. And of course we have hard days where we might walk away from it or just need to rest. But I don’t think dreamers ever truly give up. I think we suffer minor defeats. Like that quote “lose the battle but win the war”. Sometimes it’s necessary to concede. There are the times where 1) something is completely out of your hands, 2) you’re wasting a lot of time, or 3) your mental health is suffering. After knowing I’ve given all that I can, this is when I usually step away from whatever or whoever it is. This is when I tell myself it’s ok to take a breathe. It’s ok to take a break. You’re human of course. But for people like me, artists, the fight never stops. We swim upstream, we enjoy the process, we learn from our mistakes, and we keep it moving. Read more>>

Charlie T Thomas | Actor & Producer

Oh that’s a tough question. Part of me always wants to give up, in some way. I guess that’s the nature of doing big things in life–there’s usually a shred of doubt, a panging voice, something. At least in my experience. It’s hard work, and a part of you wants to take the easy way. You know, to find something that’s less taxing, less risky. I have a phrase that I use in my personal life. “Do what you can, right where you are”. Basically, there’s always something to do to improve yourself and the world around you. I apply that to my art as well. There’s always something to do. Someone who’s life is going to be better by hearing/seeing a story. Someone who will grow from opening them to a new experience. Someone you could always be connecting with through your work and experiences. This world is large and vast, and filled with people and perspectives. One person, one theater, one city–it’s impossible them to collect them all. So I tell myself, “There’s still something I can do to help”. I’ll quit when that stops being true. Read more>>

Kayla Heard | Experience Curator & Creator

The battle of continuing or giving up is one that can be very tricky and trying for different reasons.. Majority of the time, giving up comes from not having the finances to build or invest in your brand and/or company. Giving up becomes the solution when you’ve exhausted all of your resources and it starts to feel like a job instead of a passion. You should keep going, when you feel it in your heart and spirit. When you wake up, the first thing you think about is your business goals. You may have tried other endeavors and the one thing that keeps coming back is that idea or dream. No matter how many times you want to give up, you still want to accomplish the goals you’ve set for your business, that’s when you know to keep going. You keep pushing and using all your resources until you’ve reached success. No matter how many fails or times you’ve had to start over, it’s all worth it at the end. Read more>>

Kristy Ventre | Business Owner

I like to think that no one ever really gives up. Giving up means settling or stopping the dream. In my own experience, you have to keep going. If you don’t. Read more>>

Anthony J. James & Sean Gloria | Actors, Writers, Directors & Producers

You really have to tune out the outside sources influencing you. Family, friends, and whoever or whatever. Really it’s best to just listen to your heart. Stay true to you, always. At the end of the day all you can do is keep going. Giving up isn’t an option. If you get warn out, take a nap. Always time to squeeze in a nap, if really necessary. Read more>>