Title The Dip

Author Seth Godin

Year Published 2007

Kind of Book Creative Process

How strongly I recommend it 6/10 

My Impressions This is a book helped me understand the trajectory that most projects and careers take. Godin argues that after an initial period of growth there tends to be a dip that lasts a while before progress is made again. The key is to understand this and to quickly decide on which endeavors are worth slogging through the dip and which aren't.

Date Read Dec 2019

Practical Takeaways

  • Quit the right stuff at the right time

  • Quit early and refocus your energy on something new

  • Quit the wrong stuff, Stick with the right stuff, have the guts to do one or the other

  • Be the best at whatever you do

  • Quit strategically

  • Lean into the dip. Push harder

  • Stick with the dips that are likely to pan out, and quit the cul-de-sacs to focus your resources

  • Quit cul-de-sacs right now

  • Don't start, waste lots of time and money and then quit right in the middle of the dip

  • Save your resources for a project you're truly passionate about

  • If you can't be #1 or #2 in the industry get out-Jack Welch

  • Before you enter a new market, consider what would happen if you managed to get through the Dip and win the market you're already in

  • Don't refocus your energy on anything else when you're in the dip

  • Don't settle for mediocre. Quit

  • If you can't make it through the dip quit long before you get there

  • Decide if you're willing to slog it out through the dip before choosing which journey to start

  • Quit before you start

  • Quit the stuff you don't care about and the stuff you're mediocre at

  • Don't play the game if you realize you can't be the best in the world

  • Either quit or be exceptional. Don't be average

  • Ask yourself 'is the pain of the dip worth the long term benefits of the light at the end of the tunnel?

  • Switch jobs before it feels comfortable

  • Look for a new job before you need one

  • Never quit something with great long-term potential just because you can't deal with the stress of the moment

  • Quit as part of a long-term strategy. Never quit as a short term strategy

  • Write down under what circumstances you're willing to quit. And when. And then stick with it

  • Decide before the race the conditions that will cause you to sop and drop out. Only drop out if those conditions are met and if they aren't keep running

  • Set your limits before you start

  • Don't launch a product in too big a market

  • Quiet everything else

  • Don't settle for mediocre

Big Ideas

  • Many Systems are set up expecting some people to quit eg. There are more BMA degrees than CEO positions. There are more airline tickets sold than seats on the plane

  • Quitting is harder than settling