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

Mr. Specific | progressive rock

Every musician has had to decide this at some point. People that are destine to do some thing will continue to do it until the desired result is achieved. Success or failure is almost meaningless, the act of doing it is all that matters. Even if we can’t fly, falling with style is better than not jumping at all. -inspired by B. Lightyear Read more>>

Bob Younger | Professional Photographer

Keep going or give up??? If you are an entrepreneur you may ask yourself this question 10 times a week. That’s not a bad thing. Think about this. – every successful business person has spent time and energy re-assessing, making plans, experimenting with new ideas. Why do they do that? It’s because there is always a little doubt. What isn’t working, what can I do better, what is the market asking of me? These questions will undoubtedly create doubt, doubt creates decision points which often lead to the idea of quitting or moving forward. The real question is, as a small business owner, do I have the vision of a future where I am comfortable and doing what I enjoy? If the answer is yes, then those quit/no quit questions are so much easier to answer. For me, I constantly assess where I am, where do I want to be and what is it going to take to get there. You should do the same. Don’t be afraid of those times you feel like giving up, embrace them, get creative and move on. You’ve got this! Read more>>

Stephanie Hall | Teacher

I feel like my journey to mindfulness really took a Timothy Leary to Ram Dass road. Being introduced to mindfulness and making it part of my daily life has really formed my positive outlook on life. I can honestly say getting an OWI when I was 22 was one of the most positive experiences of my life. In fact I can say my outlook on life that has kept me going instead of giving up has really stemmed from that experience. I was driving drunk everywhere at that time and I needed to get pulled over. I was lucky enough to get popped at a point where I hadn’t injured anyone around me or myself. My life could’ve turned out very different had I not gotten arrested that night. Read more>>

The River | Vocalist, Artist & Performer

I imagine myself on my deathbed and ask her if I would regret giving up at any point I feel weak. There are moments where we have to switch directions within our art and try something new, but that’s not giving up, it’s being innovative. Taking breaks is respecting our minds, bodies, and creative stamina, not giving up. If we are always stepping on the gas we burn out. This is something I’m still learning but my art has gotten better because of it. I have less moments where giving up crosses my mind because I allow the burnout less and less. The reason I embarked on my artistic journey in the first place is because I didn’t want to watch my life go by and look back wishing I had listened to my desires or wishing I had chosen a different path. People doing what they think others want from them over what they want out of themselves is commonly what makes people bitter. I see it in my own family. Giving up at the end of the day has never and will never be an option for myself, music is apart of who I am. Read more>>

Lori Greenly | Founder of Denver High-Rise Living / Ex-Banker in Private Wealth Management

I guess I don’t really understand what “giving up” is. That means one would just “stop doing” in the middle of an action. Whether that’s seeking a loving relationship, building a company, providing the best client experience, setting up a health plan, or attempting to reach any personal or professional goal. Can you just stop? What happens to everything you started? I like this question, it’s really making me think. Instead, I make decisions when to pivot in life, but I guess I don’t necessarily see any moment as a time of “giving up.” That seems so absolute and final. Read more>>