Don’t persevere if it doesn’t feel right. Far too many ambitious souls have lost themselves trying to pursue an avenue that doesn’t work for them. But this doesn’t mean you should stop because you haven’t yet developed the right tools to succeed.

Look at it this way. If you’re climbing the ladder of a Fortune 500 and find out mid-step you aren’t a fan of office politics, you may want to reconsider your choice. Becoming a manager isn’t for everyone. Being a travel journalist may sound appealing, but the self-control needed for self-employment isn’t easy to develop.

The point? Just because it sounds nice doesn’t mean it is. Working from home may seem like a great lifestyle change, but it isn’t for everyone. Just because someone else can do it well, doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for you.

Ambition is worthwhile. Passion, drive, heart, optimism – these are the emotions that keep our world turning. Without them, there would be no doctors. Researchers would have quit before finding cures. Teachers would’ve given up at the first student outburst. The reason people stay in these professions is because of ambition.

Still, we have a diverse population for a reason. It takes time to figure out the best path for yourself. It’s okay if you don’t choose the path of another. It’s okay to change your mind a few times – or 10 – before sticking with a passion or job you love. You are your own person. And no one else knows you better than yourself.

To Persevere Isn’t Always the Best Option

The moral, here? Persevere if it’s right. But if it isn’t, stop while you can. You’ll know if the road ahead feels sour. You’ll feel it in your gut. Your subconscious will do all it can to stop you from pushing ahead. And sure, if you’ve almost reached the top of that ladder, backing down may feel silly. But is it wise to stay in a place that makes you feel unhappy?

If you’ve got a choice, and you’re comfortable going back to the drawing board, you should at the very least consider it. It may take you out of your comfort zone. But if it’s the right choice for you, you’ll feel it in your bones.

Don’t persevere if your heart isn’t in it. Your happiness is far more important than a path you aren’t satisfied with.