To persevere or to pivot is a question that do-ers have been asking themselves since the beginning of time.  It’s never a straight road when you are doing something new, blazing a trail, breaking a ceiling, or pushing boundaries, so it’s only natural to wonder whether to give up midway.  How do you know whether to keep going or to give up?

Myster Craigory | Songwriter & Traveler

For efficiency, I believe our heart and intuition are constantly sending us weather updates, “This feels weird”, “Stop doing that”, “This is exciting!!” “I’m nervous but I like it”. English isn’t my intuition’s first language so there are often times where my intuition and mind’s interpretations are at strife. Because of this, it may also be tough deciding on whether something is for you or it isn’t. Our mind begins to interpret these messages and rationalize why we should keep going (“winners never quit!”) and, just as easily, rationalize why we should stop (“maybe this isn’t for you”). Like a water bottle filled with sediment, our truths seem intertwined with other realities. Sometimes, in an attempt to better understand our truths, our rational minds inadvertently shake up the bottle. Read more>>

Michael Vitovich | Professional Actor & Forensic Consultant

You have to be crazy or a level of functioning insane to achieve any goal that is tough. You have to be crazy with passion because that drives you when things don’t go your way or are easy. Your passion is something that needs to be cultivated, developed and maintained. It is totally a fire that burns within you, and when that fire starts to burn out ….. you must question, is it worth it……. and if you pause too long then maybe it is not for you any more. For me I have set limits and small achievable goals and I have given myself a time limit to examine my career. I went from a long career in forensic pathology and many years of working with the dead and I reached the top of my profession. I stepped back and now I do it on my own terms while I put all of my passion into performance and acting. Read more>>

Marilu Cristina Flores | Marine Conservationist

When it comes to marine conservation and the work Surfrider does, I’ll be honest in saying I do have moments where I’ve thrown up my arms in despair and wondered why I am doing what I am doing. Especially in Florida, where we it is a constant battle to protect our environment from bad lawmakers and private interest groups. When I feel all is being lost, I make it a point to go out to the sea, spend time in nature and remind myself that one person can in fact make a difference and if I loose hope, I’d be letting down many people who turn to individuals like myself at Surfrider to educate and inspire them. The volunteer activists who commit their time and passion to Surfrider are my daily inspiration as a marine conservationist to continue to forge change in our imperiled State. Read more>>

Heather Knickerbocker- De La Torre | Owner, Personalized Perfectly

The answer to that is…you never give up. You can adjust your plan, make changes to your direction, and switch focus with the challenges that arise. But you never give up. Read more>>