Never give up. It’s advice that is thrown around daily – but is it always right? We asked some folks we admire about their thoughts around how to know when to give up and when to keep trying

Sarah Puett | Atlanta Restaurant & Business Promoter

Ask yourself “does this thing that I’m doing resonate with who I am to my very core?; does this business or this goal reinforce my most deeply-rooted morals, values, and the impact that I truly want to make in this world?” I believe that with any goal, it is crucial to of course begin with a strong “why,” but to also continuously reinforce that “why” throughout the different stages of reaching your goal, running your business, or performing a lengthy project. Your “why” should determine whether to keep going or to give up the idea and start on a new one. If your “why” is not strong enough, you will likely not feel the proper level of motivation deep down to continue towards your goal, you might procrastinate, you might not put in the necessary level of hard work, and you might not be able to truly stay focused. Read more>>

Tamara Gilchrist | Founder & Physician Assistant Student

There was a point in my life where I was about to give up on taking professional photos. I felt as though I wasn’t good enough and I surely didn’t have the time with being in school. I started giving away and selling my photography equipment and time had passed by without me picking up my expensive camera. Then when my schedule started clearing up, I picked up that expensive camera and started taking pictures for my leisure, enrolled into online photography courses, and met up with friends; creating together. I started enjoying taking pictures again and started taking on client work. Four years later, I have found my niche, balance out my time while in my master’s program to take photos, and I have a photographer apprentice! What does all of this mean? Sometimes taking a pause is needed, it will allow you time to evaluate what it is you’re wanting to do and what is needed to obtain it. Read more>>

Dr. Jada Moore-Ruffin | Wellness Physician, Coach & Speaker

Knowing whether to keep up or give up is every entrepreneur’s dilemma at some point along the journey. That is one of those questions that keeps you up at night. I’ve certainly contemplated that query on several occasions. In my view, that deliberation has four questions in one: . 1- Do I have the stamina to keep up? 2- Do I have the resources to keep up? 3- Do I have the knowledge to keep up? 4- Do I have the motivation to keep up? You may find that you ask yourself at least one of these questions several times a month, several times a week and in some situations several times a day whether consciously or subconsciously. However, I don’t think we seriously sit down and ask all of the questions at once and create what would be a “Can I keep (this) up” strategy vs a “Should I keep (this) up” discovery session. The clear alternative to not keeping up is giving up, a place where almost every entrepreneur has found themselves negotiating while staring at a bunch of broken numbers, or stack of unsold products or unpaid bills in the wee hours of the night. Read more>>

Ken Rizza | Entrepreneur

One of my all time favorite photos I have is a cartoon of large big billed bird that has a big frog which is head first in it’s mouth. The only thing sticking out of the birds bill is the frogs front “arms” and hind legs. The “hands” of the frog are firmly clenched around the long throat of the bird and the caption reads “NEVER GIVE UP” I have learned a long time ago that the harder you work the “luckier” you get. While you can’t always control your circumstances or things that may affect you what you can control is how you react and respond to them. Sometimes taking a different course of action could be viewed as giving up by some but in reality the change in course of action may very well be in response to weighing all the options. I have always worked for myself and never giving up but rather taking a different course of action has been how I have operated my whole life. If I felt I was at a “dead end” in one pursuit I would re-invent myself and keep forging ahead. Read more>>