I just finished Seth Godin’s book, “The Dip” and for those of you who read this blog often, you’ll be hearing a lot about it. This book has single handedly changed my perspective of how valuable quitting can be.
Without going into too much detail, in “The Dip”, Seth Godin challenges the commonly believed mantra, “winners never quit and quitters never win.” Instead, Seth encourages you to quit the right things at the right time. Seth argues that if you aren’t going to be “the best in the world” at something, then you might as well quit before you start. If you have a shot at being “the best in the world,” then prepare yourself for an intense rough patch (which Seth calls “the dip”). But, “whatever goes up, must go down,” right? Therefore:
If, Huge Dip = Huge Competition
Then, Surviving “The Dip” = Huge Reward and Few Competitors
But this post isn’t about defining “The Dip.” It’s about being “the best in the world.”
How would you feel if Starbucks started a pet supplies division? Or, if Apple started making clothes?
I would feel that these brands are getting too big for their britches. I would tell them not to waste energy and resources on something that will distract them from being the best in the world at what they already do.
Is your next question, “what if I am in the wrong dip?” In other words, what if you hit a wall and are in a situation that isn’t bringing you ANY closer to your long-term goals (remember, dips yield awesome results if you are in the right one!). Well, friends, I don’t know what Seth calls this, but I call it a wall. My guess is that you are wasting your own energy, time and resources. Just like those brands were in the hypothetical example above.
Consider these Real Life “Dips”
- Dating the wrong person who you know you have serious foundational issues with and can’t see yourself marrying.
- Working in an industry you hate, at a job you hate, just because you get a paycheck or studied the subject in school.
- Starting a business thinking you’ll be the best in the world, then stopping at the 1st sign of defeat. Then repeating the cycle many more times.
In all of the situations above, the person is holding themselves hostage and robbing themselves of the opportunity for something better, something successful.
Sometimes admitting you’re in a dip is tough. Admitting you’re in the WRONG dip is even tougher; that requires immediate action. Taking immediate action is beyond tough.
I was in the wrong dip a few months ago. I was (unintentionally) starting to build a following as a “career expert” online even though I am not a recruiter, I do not work in HR, nor do I plan on it. This title made me very uncomfortable. I didn’t have the desire to pursue “career expert” stardom. This path wasn’t aligned in my 5 or 10 year goals/vision. But I was putting a hell of a lot of time and energy into it. I can’t tell you what a relief it has been to get out of that dip when I did. It wasn’t easy, and I had to cancel a few big projects and opportunities. But now I can focus on being the best at something I love instead.
What do you want to be the best in the world at? Are you doing it?
Have you been in a dip that you pushed through resulting in extraordinary results?
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If anyone can relate to where you're at in your career, it's Nicole Crimaldi: Nicole spent 5 years in corporate America, switched career paths, worked at a start-up, survived a layoff and is now self-employed. Nicole believes that career satisfaction is a huge part of overall happiness. Therefore, she started Ms. Career Girl to help other women get off the treadmill and onto a more fulfilling path.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I admire your ability to realize that one path wasn’t the path you wanted to walk down and you had/have the guts to go down the path that makes the most sense for you. You’re going to do some amazing things by this time next year.
The point I struggle with is the ‘being the BEST at one thing’. I completely see where Godin and the vast majority of people are coming from – but how do we define “best”? There are very few companies that I can say are the absolute best at what they do – and even then, what am I measuring? Sales? Customer Service? Manufacturing? I don’t know how to define “best” and thus, I’m not really sure how to define MY best…I don’t know if this is making any sense, but, just some of the thoughts going through my head.
And, I need to get on the bandwagon and finally read this book myself.
Yes, as you know there are a few more dips I need to escape this year. This morning I was building a Wordpress site in a bit of frustration. I told myself that this was a dip VERY worth pushing through. I felt handicapped at times, but I knew that this is only a temporary feeling that was part of a much bigger goal.
GREAT POINT about questioning how “the best in the world” is defined. Perhaps that’s why he left the term so loose: so that each individual can determine their own definition of “the best.”
I think each of us know deep down what we are really good at. We might be shy about vocalizing it or acting on it at times, but we know. I don’t think that can be quantified in sales numbers or even a system as accurate as six sigma. I also think that you must know what you are good at regardless of what anyone in the outside world says. Chances are, someday they will be proven wrong.
NC
Being the best is all relative, I think. The most important thing is for you to be at YOUR best. Being THE best…I’m not even sure what that means.
We do all know what we’re good at – or at least – know where our interests lie. I sat down with a friend and mentor earlier this week and she asked me what I thought I was “best” at…and I didn’t have an answer. That’s not a bad thing, it’s just a part of learning as you go, trying new things, and figuring out what you do and don’t like.
And you’re right – in reality the only one you have to prove anything to is yourself. We’d be lying if we said we didn’t care what anyone else thinks, but you can’t allow what other people think to drive and define you.
Nicole,
Great post! I echo Seth Godin’s belief that something the smartest thing to do is know when to walk away from something. I haven’t read the book yet so I’m not sure if he mentions this but to be the best at something you must also be doing something you love. This is especially important during those “dips” from where you are to where you want to be. If you are strictly pursuing something for financial gain, ultimately you will end up unfilled and disappointed. Those who are the best all have a sincere passion for what they are doing…Just ask Gary Vaynerchuk! Keep up the good work.
Oh absolutely- you must love what you do! I like BMW’s and spa services as much as the next girl, but they can’t get you through tough times.
Random thought-I should tackle the dip from Napoleon Hill’s perspective in a follow up post. And then adress how the dip applies to marketers…it absolutely does!
I hope you and your family are well. Perhaps we can meet for another coffee soon!
Nicole
This idea is very relevant to me both now and in the past few months, as I’ve been actively trying to focus on what matters (whether it be personally, financially, business-wise, etc.) and stop worrying about the rest.
I’ve always been a big fan of this idea. I haven’t yet read “The Dip” but I’ve read Good To Great (which I highly recommend to all), which has the Hedgehog Concept and the idea of figuring out what you can be the best in the world at.
I love companies/people/organizations that focus on what they’re REALLY good at and not worry about things they’re not. And I love that you’re figuring out your dips right now as I am. Feels good to see there’s others out there.
When are we meeting, by the way?? You’re in that bucket of Chicago people that I still haven’t met, and that needs to be changed! Next week sometime?
Tim-
I think that’s what being in our twenties is all about. It’s a bit of a roller coaster but the hope is that if we keep facing enough dips, eventually we’ll get into the right one. I think people should search and experiment as much as possible until they feel right about things.
I too love people who are so authentic to their own brand. I think most people just don’t know what their brand IS, which is where the problems start.
I vote that we organize a Chicago Tweetup next week. I’m looking to organize a local mastermind group and this might be a great way to meet some new people. Ps- how was startup weekend?!
Nicole
“I think people should search and experiment as much as possible until they feel right about things.”
Amen! I’m such a fan of just doing it and experimenting. To me, there’s no better way to learn.
I think you’re right about people and brands. Some people don’t necessarily even view themselves as a brand (nor should they necessarily). But as long as you know who you are as a person, I think you’re on the right path.
Startup Weekend was cool! I was only there for a bit on Saturday but there were some really interesting ideas being worked on. Let’s do a Chicago tweetup next week! I’ll send ya a DM.
Hey Nicole,
The best thing is to focus on the positive things in every situation and follow our passion in life. We have to keep improving ourselves all the times and going after our goals. I haven’t read this book yet, but maybe I will give it a try. Thanks for sharing
Interesting post Nicole. I’ve not read the book yet, but I’m going to have to get my hands on it. As far as my personal dip you know my story. I’ve walked away from some big things in my life last year and that has lead to some extraordinary results. The most notable one was leaving a job in two weeks. Relationships are an interesting one for me. That’s the whole reason my personal development journey started. I’ve been in 2 relationships and both I would say I stayed in for far too long out of fear of being alone. I think that getting past the dip can be really rewarding when you’re on the other end. If we spend more time focused on process rather than outcomes then we’ll get there.
This post is perfect for what I am going through right now. I’m going to print it out and put it in my entrepreneurial journal.
Dear Career Girl,
Do you think that young professionals that have just entered the workforce or internship verse or whatever industry will suffer from their first dip?
How hard to you think it is to get out of a dip when you have been labeled wrong and how easy is it to get a new dip, which would be the right label?