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.

Olivia Mar | Jewelry Designer

As an entrepreneur forging my own unique path in an already well-established industry, uncertainty about the future just comes with the territory. I think it’s important to be present enough to celebrate your wins as they come along, and also to periodically look back to see how far you’ve come. When you encounter a new trial, no matter if you succeed or miss the mark, there’s always a lesson to take away and apply to the next bump in the road. It’s vital to approach it all with clear vision and optimism, and remind yourself that the success you’ve been working so hard for might be right around the corner, but you’ve got to continue down that path or you’ll never know. Read more>>

Alexa Herasimchuk | Product Designer and YouTube creator

Growing up, basketball was a huge part of my life and to this day, it still is.. I played competitively all throughout my childhood and decided I wanted to continue playing into college. I was recruited to play at a state school in Wisconsin where I grew up and I was incredibly excited and proud of myself for this accomplishment. After 2 years of playing there, I made the very difficult decision to quit. After giving my college experience there a try, I had found myself very unhappy, sad, and uninspired. So, simply put – I did something about it. The following year, I drove one way across the country to San Francisco to attend an art and design school and it changed my life. Read more>>

Evi Vamvlas | Stylist & Salon Owner

There’s a huge, emotional/anxiety-inducing component to this that can make a situation feel unresolvable. We know that we can’t be slaves to instinct and intuition, but at the same time we are emotional creatures. We get attached to information, and compelled by visions. Our stories explicit or implicit, pin us to a version of reality we must live and move through. There is no leaving that part of us behind, it is our orientation, our propeller. It becomes ever more important to understand that to intelligently include that part of us we must also welcome the struggle to manage it. I don’t believe anyone can know when to give up. Especially in regards to wanting to see something come to life despite the current flow of things. You can only know you don’t want to burn others, or compromise your dignity if you have it. That’s about it. Read more>>