Is It Ever Time to Just Give Up?

© Milles Studio

I love the image on the left, because it's the way so many of us have felt at times. We're simply out of ideas and the old "bulb over the head" just isn't shedding light on much of anything!

In order for any of this to make sense, you probably should read the post from last week. One of my favorite people in the industry, Chuck Arlund, posted a comment on a day when he was feeling particularly frustrated and wondering when it was time to change careers.

I want to take a shot at answering Chuck's question.

Right off the bat, there are times when you should move on, but I don't believe you ever should give up. It might mean a particular dream needs a makeover to be more in line with reality, but then you get into the importance of defining reality. It's not an easy question. I believe so much in the dreams many of you have of becoming great artists, but that doesn't mean I think it's easy to do.

"If you build it they will come," isn't always true. While it worked for Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams, Hollywood isn't reality. However, when you "build it" there's something amazing that happens. You start to believe that dream you have might really be possible.

Joe McNally is one of my all time heroes in this industry. At a program in Chicago a few years ago he couldn't have been more open about some of his challenges, right down to talking about the roller coaster ride in running a profitable business. He mentioned times when he didn't have the cash flow to pay his staff.  

Sandy Puc in a Weekend Wisdom completely broke down on me last year when she talked about feeling like she had lost everything. It's a pretty inspirational podcast and worth taking the time to listen to. (We had dinner with her two nights ago after spending a day recording an SPTV episode, and she couldn't be more on top of the world today.)

So, I guess the only way to answer Chuck about when is it finally time to give up is to simply say you NEVER should give up. But, there are times when you need to analyze what you're doing, seek out the support and honest feedback from friends and then decide how to change the path you're on.

Chuck you're a talented artist and my blog isn't the place to try and "pump you up". LOL However, it is the right place to remind you that we've all felt exactly what you're feeling.  

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