When things don’t turn out right on the first try, it’s easy to give up. But usually, it’s wrong.

So why are we tempted to give up so quickly? Perhaps it’s because we’re afraid that we might embarrass ourselves if we tried hard but didn’t succeed.

Here’s something to remember: if you’re having a little trouble getting something done, don’t get mad, don’t get frustrated, don’t get discouraged, and don’t give up. Just keep trying … and keep believing in yourself.

When you try hard — and keep trying hard — you can do amazing things. But if you quit at the first sign of trouble, you’ll miss out. So here’s a good rule to follow: when you have something that you want to finish, be brave enough (and wise enough) to finish it. You’ll fell better about yourself when you do.

Winston Churchill: He Didn’t Give Up!

During the early days of World War II, before the United States entered the war, England stood alone as the sole defender of freedom in Europe. An evil German dictator named Adolph Hitler had already conquered most of western Europe. But he still wanted to conquer Great Britain. Some leaders in Britain were in favor of giving in to Germany demands, but Churchill was determined to fight for his nation’s future.

In 1941, during a time when the future of the war was in doubt, Churchill returned to his old boarding school and gave a speech to the students. That speech became famous, and it’s now known as the “Never Give In Speech.”

In that speech, Churchill said, “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never—in nothing great or small, large or petty—never give in except to conviction of honor and good sense.” Churchill understood the power of perseverance. You should understand it, too.