Don’t Quit, The World Needs YOU

Recently, I had the honor of speaking to a group of graduates about something we all struggle with the urge to quit.

Life has a way of stacking challenges right in front of us. Obstacles show up uninvited. Plans get derailed. Doors close. And in those moments, quitting can feel easier than fighting through the frustration, fear, or uncertainty.

But what I reminded those graduates and what I often have to remind myself is this:

Growth doesn’t happen in the easy moments. It happens when we choose to keep going anyway.

One of my favorite poems, “Don’t Quit” by Edgar Albert Guest, has always grounded me. It’s simple, honest, and timeless in its message. When life gets tough, when the path seems uphill, when everything in you says “stop” that’s when you have to keep moving forward.

Here’s the truth:

Hard times are inevitable, but temporary

Persistence often determines success

Success and failure are often separated by just one more attempt

To anyone reading this who’s facing a hard moment, let this be your reminder:

You’ve come too far to quit now.

Keep going! The world is depending on you.

You can read the entire Poem by Edgar Albert Guest below

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
when the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
when the funds are low and the debts are high,
and you want to smile but you have to sigh,
when care is pressing you down a bit , rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns.
As everyone of us sometimes learns.
And many a fellow turns about when he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow - you may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than it seems to a faint and faltering man;

Often the struggler has given up when he might have captured the victor's cup;
and he learned too late when the night came down,
how close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out - the silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
and when you never can tell how close you are,
it may be near when it seems afar;
so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - it's when things seem worst, you must not quit.