When should you quit and walk away from something? When should you keep going and push through even when things are tough? In his book The Dip, author Seth Godin explores these questions and many more that can be applied not just in the business world but also to our personal lives.
The Dip is defined as “the long slog between starting and mastery,” where a person can face challenges and resistance that can either make them want to run away and quit or push through and overcome the obstacles they encounter (17). During this time, growth can occur, and those who choose to keep going and evolve during the Dip will find the most success.
Godin makes it clear that to survive The Dip, one must choose their Dips wisely, know when to dive in and pursue something, and know when to walk away before starting. He emphasizes that quitting doesn’t make you a failure; it makes you smarter since you refuse to get stuck in a project or situation with no positive outcome, which he calls a Cul-de-Sac.
Most of us have stuck with something we didn’t really want to do, thinking it would all work out in the end, only to become frustrated and resent even starting. Godin challenges us to quit these meaningless endeavors and focus on pursuits that have an impact and will yield positive results in our lives.
Quitting is healthy. Quitting is wise. Quitting can give us more opportunities to reach our true goals, make it through The Dip, and succeed.
At only 80 pages, The Dip by Seth Godin is a quick but powerful read. I recommend it!