Cover via Amazon
Although I really haven’t developed a routine since deciding to retire and dedicate my time to growing my own business, I do spend most of my time at home. Required service on my car made me break out of the house on Monday. Rather than coming home and returning later to pick up the car, I spent most of the day drinking coffee and browsing at Border’s.
It was an interesting break in my routine, giving me an opportunity to observe people and do some reading. I read The Dip by Seth Godin. Somebody recommended it to me but I hadn’t yet managed to get a copy. Border’s was happy to accommodate. I finished before draining my large coffee. It is a very short book but very powerful. If you have read it then you know what I mean. You already know a lot of what Seth says but he takes those things, shuffles them around a bit, applies a bit of logic and teaches you something completely different that you need to know – when to quit, when to persevere and when to double down.
Seth tells a story about how reading The Magic of Thinking Big changed his life. He doesn’t tell how and he confesses that he doesn’t remember what it was in the book that changed his life, just that it did. He modestly expresses the hope that The Dip will change the lives of others.
I am sure that Seth has changed many people’s lives with this book because it moves them past the cliches they have heard all their lives and gives them a process to understand the path they are on and what are the appropriate actions to take.
You could say that Seth is encouraging people to quit but it’s more about understanding a life mission and only engaging in activities that move you forward. I couldn’t do a greater injustice than to attempt to distill the message of The Dip. It is short and so well written that you need to read it. Well you need to read it so long as you are prepared to make a decision about your life and take action. If you won’t make a decision to change your life no matter what circumstances you find yourself in, then don’t waste your time. Otherwise, read The Dip. You might just be surprised to learn what you need to quit.
If you have read The Dip and it has changed your life, please share.
