How do you know when you should keep going versus when it makes sense to cut your losses and try something new? It’s a difficult decision most entrepreneurs and creatives have faced along their journey and so we asked some brilliant folks from the community to share their thoughts.
Amy Gross | Fiber Artist
When I was younger so much of my identity was attached to being good at what I do. I was very focused on making sure the artwork I made matched as closely as possible the idea I had in my head, my preconditions. I judged my success that way, and my failures. Of course, I still want what I make to be successful, to have my work be intentional, something I made well and can be proud of. But I’ve become far more interested in beginning in an intended place and then seeing where the creative process takes me. It’s not just about my telling the materials what to do, now they inform me, take me in directions I haven’t planned. This makes it a journey, an actual experience. Read more>>
Hector Fontanet | Member of Phantom Phunk
Well, it’s really about knowing how to separate your passion from your profession. It’s great when the two are the same, but if something’s not working out in a professional way, and your brand isn’t making the money it needs to survive, it might be time to switch to something different, but that doesn’t mean you ever have to give it up. When you do something you love it becomes a lifestyle, and making it work as a profession is the best way to maintain that. Read more>>
Daniel Bauer | Musician
This is a question I ask myself often, and from time to time is something I struggle with greatly. Ultimately, I think it can be essentially boiled down to this: my desire to create and share music/art is greater than my fear of rejection. Both of which are pretty substantial- but if I really, truly, measure both the former and latter- I’d rather try and possibly fail than not try at all. I’ve always been a risk taker, usually to my detriment, but in this instance it can pay off to be spontaneous as opposed to impulsive. Read more>>
CHAN A-V | Artist
When you are so invested into something and you put so much of your time and energy into what you do, it’s hard to give up. You’re in so deep and you’ve come so far, there’s really no turning back. Read more>>
Golden Flora | Music Producer/Beat-Maker
This one is a hard one to get right because it’s a factor that never stops showing up. My thought process is always to never give up but there at times that moving on is the right choice. If a song isn’t right, I do my best to work on it to make it shine. However, the hope for this idea is bigger than the idea itself and we get caught up on the challenge before realizing that the time spent on this would be more productive with one that’s more exciting right off the bat. Read more>>