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?

Poshay Holland | Artist & Songwriter

There will always be an internal conflict wether or not your dreams and passion are worth pursuing and trying to create or own reality. Honestly it all depends on your self discipline, determination, and belief in yourself. For me giving up is not an option, you get one chance in this life to leave your mark on this world, even if you don’t succeed, at least you can say you gave it a shot and in my opinion that’s better than giving up. Read more>>

Stacy Queen Patton | CEO & Founder

I have strong faith and I always seek understanding from GOD. There are days I feel defeated and exhausted. So, I pray and I simply ask in my prayers should I stop? The answer has been a constant no. Read More>>

Desiree’ Lewis | Counseling Graduate Student & Future Mental Health Therapist for Children & Adolescents

What helps me to keep going is realizing that everything I go through in life is not just for me, it’s for the people that I will encounter while being on this journey. Praying and keeping God first helps me to remember that my steps have already been ordered, I just have to actually STEP. Even when I don’t know what is coming next, I must have crazy faith to keep going (Shout out to Mike Todd and TC Nation). If I’m being 100% honest, there are times where I have so many thoughts about giving up. I mean I’m human, who doesn’t?! That’s when I have to go back to the what the Word says and not go by what the world suggest. Read more>>

Ashley Te’Arra | Budding Author

I try to remember why I started. I’m a strong believer in everything happening for a reason. God puts us in certain positions because He knows that we’re qualified for the job. Self-doubt and fear often try to trick us into thinking that we aren’t. But if you weren’t, you wouldn’t find this sense of unknown strength to continue doing it… even on those days that you really don’t want to. I’ll be honest; there are a lot of times where I feel defeated and start to question whether writing is for me anymore, but I find comfort and joy in knowing that I’ve been blessed with the gift that keeps on giving. The gift of creating is something that will never leave you. Read more>>

Lynell Sprauve | CEO of Nellz Clozet, LLC

Faith, Time, and Smart-work! I’m the type of person that has always lived by the motto, “Do what you love and Love what you do”. The only person that has the authority to persuade you to quit or to continue going is YOU. It is super important to have reflective moments in your life, because it allows you to look inward and decide what actually matters to you! The most challenging, yet exuberant feeling is when we come to the realization that we don’t have to be perfect in-order to be profitable and successful. Throughout my journey, what I came to understand is that always striving for perfection delayed me from following my dreams. So rather than trying to be perfect, I started being present. Read more>>

Makai Maholmes | Dancer & future entrepreneur

For me, giving up on my goals and what I want for my life isn’t an option. Even when challenges arise, as long as you stay focused and motivated, you’ll realize there is little that is beyond your reach. Read more>>