By Mary Ann Faremouth, CPC

As back-to-school season arrives, I find myself reflecting on the second step of the Faremouth Method, “Ask Better Questions.” During times of change, we all find ourselves asking important questions about our careers, our goals, and our future. Whether you’re a student in the classroom or, like me, a lifelong student of life, a quote I recently heard from Charleston Parker, a self-taught theologian and scholar, offers a simple but powerful framework for approaching the new work world.

“In life, you have three choices:

Give Up

Give In

Or

Give It Your All.”

After more than 30 years as an Executive Recruiter, I’ve had the privilege of listening to employers, candidates, and fellow recruiters navigate countless workplace challenges. This framework inspired me to ask questions that encourage growth, resilience, and forward thinking. As you read, consider how these ideas apply to your own career and life.

1. Give Up

When I think of “giving up,” I don’t think about quitting. I think about letting go of the attitudes, habits, and beliefs that no longer serve us. We all have the ability to choose a new direction and create a better future through our mindset, our actions, and our willingness to grow.

One of the most valuable things we can give up is a negative attitude. We are the pilots of our own lives, and while we can’t always control turbulence, we can choose how we respond to it. Letting go of limiting beliefs is often the first step toward meaningful progress.

From a recruiter’s perspective, here are a few beliefs worth giving up:

Give up the belief that economic uncertainty or workplace change only creates obstacles. Challenging times often create opportunities to learn new skills, strengthen relationships, volunteer for new responsibilities, or become the person others rely on when change occurs. One of my clients recently shared how a senior sales representative organized regular meetings among colleagues across different regions to exchange ideas, share customer insights, and support one another. The collaboration strengthened relationships, improved communication, and ultimately benefited both the employees and the company.

Give up the belief of “Me” versus “We.” One client told me about an employee who volunteered to take on additional responsibilities during a period of organizational change. The employee also reached out to long-standing industry contacts to help generate new business opportunities. The vice president shared that this individual would receive the highest merit increase available and would be considered for rapid advancement because of that team-first attitude. When we focus on contributing to the success of others, our own success often follows.

Give up the belief that innovation only happens during easy times. History tells a different story. After the financial panic and recession of 1907, William Durant and Charles Stewart Mott expanded what would become General Motors. During the Great Recession, companies like Uber, Airbnb, Groupon, and Square were founded. Mailchimp was launched during another period of economic uncertainty. Sometimes the simplest idea becomes the foundation of something extraordinary. Ask yourself: Is there a product, service, or improvement your organization hasn’t considered yet? The next great opportunity may begin with one thoughtful question.

2. Give In

When I think of “giving in,” I don’t think of surrender. I think of collaboration, flexibility, and compromise. Sometimes giving in simply means recognizing that another perspective has value or adjusting our approach to reach a better outcome together.

In the workplace, compromise is often essential. If your manager asks for a recurring report early Monday morning and it conflicts with your normal routine, look for ways to collaborate with your family or teammates so you can honor both your personal and professional responsibilities. Flexibility often creates opportunities that rigid thinking cannot.

Employers may also benefit from giving in to new ways of evaluating talent. Rather than focusing solely on direct industry experience, consider candidates with strong transferable skills, adaptability, determination, and a proven record of achievement. In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, the ability to learn may be just as valuable as years of experience.

Giving in can also mean accepting that none of us succeeds alone. I recently came across a quote that said, “After all this is over, what will really matter is how we treated each other.” While circumstances continue to change, kindness, empathy, and respect remain timeless values. Regardless of where we live or what industry we work in, remembering our shared humanity makes every challenge a little easier to navigate.

3. Give It Your All

When I think of “Give It Your All,” I’m reminded that excellence is still possible, even during times of uncertainty. We can continue to perform at a high level while adapting to changing circumstances. We can redraw our mental maps, discover new paths to success, and create opportunities that didn’t seem possible before.

The world continues to change at a remarkable pace, but periods of change often create the greatest opportunities for growth. Invest in your personal development. Learn a new skill. Expand your network. Read more. Ask better questions. When uncertainty appears, choose growth instead of fear. Become a lifelong student who embraces every lesson along the journey.

I choose to view Charleston Parker’s words, “Give Up, Give In, or Give It Your All,” as an invitation to grow. Decide what you need to give up. Decide where you need to give in. But whatever path you choose, give it your all.

We can all earn our own “Ph.D. in Life” by continuing to learn, adapt, and apply those lessons in ways that improve not only our own lives, but also the lives of those around us. As another school year begins, perhaps the greatest lesson isn’t found in a classroom, but in our willingness to keep learning, growing, and giving our very best every single day.

Mary Ann’s award-winning first book Revolutionary Recruiting has been listed by Book Authority as Number #1 Best 100 Recruiting Books; #1 Best Seller, Non-Fiction, Amazon (2019); Top 20 Recruiting books, Recruitics; Readers’ Choice finalist (2019), Houston Literary Awards; Best Non-Fiction (2018), Best Cover (2019), and Best Self-Help (2018), Authors Marketing Guild. This was followed by “Revolutionary Reinvention”, a workbook for job seekers giving advice on how to rediscover your skills and passions and reinvent your career. Her most recent book is “Revolutionary Results” , a collection of life lessons about relationships, integrity and contributing to the world.