Here is Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 and Part 6.
So, as I became more and more involved online and decided to try to make a go of this "make money online" thing (which, admittedly sounds so shady), I started brainstorming ways I might be able to earn some money.
Since I had designed all my own websites in the past, I naturally thought this might be a good avenue to pursue. So, I made up my design website, announced I was hanging out my virtual shingle and I was open for business as a web designer.
It didn't take me long to realize though, that I wasn't very good at it.
My clients seemed to be happy with my work for the most part, so that wasn't it. Mostly I lacked passion and I lacked creativity — coming up with ideas didn't ooze outta me like it did for other designer friends of mine. I had to really conjure them up. And sometimes it took a long (money-losing) time to do so. I also realized that there were a lot of aspects to running a design business that I really didn't enjoy at all.
It was hard to admit at first (read: I felt like a failure), but I eventually stopped taking new clients and closed my queue.
I'm not regretful (by any means!) that I gave it a shot. Not only did it help me hone my true passions and learn a ton about online (and offline) business, but it also gave me the opportunity to meet some other great designers (like Joy, Darcy, Shannon and Deanna). Now I just refer everyone to them! 
Lesson #7: Know when to bail.
I was listening to Dave Ramsey the other day and he said something like this (totally my non-verbatim recollection):
A lot of people tell me that winners never quit. IT'S NOT TRUE! Winners quit all the time! Part of being successful is knowing when something isn't working. If it's not working, then quit! Give it your best shot and don't quit prematurely, but if there's nothing on the horizon that you think might give you the boost you need, quit!
I love this.
It's not an easy thing to determine — when to quit — but don't get caught up in the idea that you "should" or "need" to keep going when something is clearly not going to fly.
Anyone who has reached any level of success will tell you they failed a lot more times than they succeeded.
One of the greatest basketball players ever, Michael Jordan, said this:
I have missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot…and missed. And I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why…I succeed.
Thomas Edison said:
I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.
I could go on and on with quotes and stories from famous people, but the point is, have the courage to move on.
Remove yourself gracefully from the situation, don't beat yourself up about it and by all means, recognize it as a stepping stone to success and not as proof that you're a failure!
Here at BloggingWithAmy you'll find tips, tools & tutorials about blogging and websites. In plain English. Want to 
What a fabulous post! Over the years I have tried so many different things and succeeded to a degree at some but only to realize that it was not what I wanted, I wasn't very good at it, or both
Just keep on knocking on all the doors and eventually one will be the right one for you. Thanks for the inspiration!
Exactly — gotta keep experimenting!
I have recently found you, and I have been enjoying your lessons. I really needed to hear this one today. It was just what I needed. You have been a true blessing in my life. Thank you for the treasure-trove of information you have been providing.
It's my pleasure, Kelly!
Aw, thanks! I make sure every client I have has a link to your site – it's become a goldmine of information for the new and not-so-new blogger… xoxo
Thank you Amy for another honest and encouraging post!
This post is just what I was supposed to read today, not really for myself, but for someone else who is struggling with when to quit something that they have been working hard at for years.
Thank you!
I had the same experience when I was a web designer! It took me forever to come up with an idea. This is OK when designing a site for myself; I even enjoy it, but for making a living, it wasn't as satisfying as I imagined. I especially had a hard time finding ideas for clients who didn't know what they wanted, but "would know when they saw it." Interpreting what the client wants, I found was almost more challenging than actually designing the sites.