"Almost everything in life worth doing is controlled by the Dip."
Would you agree?
In 2007, Seth Godin wrote The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick). Godin talks about the importance of being "the best in the world" when pursuing long-term pursuits. Being "the best in the world" in this context is not so much being the #1 person in the world at a particular craft but rather being a top person in a particular customer's/market's world of access.
Much like his other books (and other authors' books), he provides numerous examples of "the dip" at work in various industries and activities. "The dip" is the lengthy learning curve and performance curve between first exposure to something and becoming an expert. Godin distinguishes this from "the cul-de-sac" (endless efforts going nowhere) and "the cliff" (long-term efforts initially seeming good that eventually drop off and go to waste in a hurry). While "the dip" leads to success, "the cul-de-sac" and "the cliff" lead to failure.
This may sound like an easy distinction to make, but Godin believes that people regularly struggle to tell the difference between dips, cul-de-sacs, and cliffs. As a result, people waste a lot of time and effort (and perhaps money and stress as well) pursuing unattainable goals, sticking with dead-end or fading journeys, and giving up too early on meaningful, impactful opportunities.
Throughout the book, Godin argues how quitting something can be an important step to career and life success. He also notes important questions to ask oneself before quitting something (no spoilers given here on these, please refer to the book).
Afraid that quitting a job may be the end of your journey down your desired career path? Godin distinguishes between 'strategy' and 'tactics' and notes how a person's job is tactical (at the 'detail' level) while one's career path and longer-term career goals are strategic (at the 'big picture' level). If it makes sense to leave and move on, do so with confidence (and adequate preparation, of course).
In the spirit of Seth Godin, I recall wise words that a much younger version of myself wrote down years ago and have carried with myself since:
"Sometimes you have to let go of some dreams so that other dreams can come true."
As we move on from 2020 and move forward in 2021, I hope that each of you reading this has a blessed and prosperous year in which you are able to leave behind 'cul-de-sacs' and 'cliffs' en route to confronting 'the dip' on meaningful, impactful journeys in your careers and lives.