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The Dip

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About this listen

 Every new project (or job, or hobby, or company) starts out exciting and fun. Then it gets harder and less fun, until it hits a low point: really hard, and not much fun at all.

And then you find yourself asking if the goal is even worth the hassle. Maybe you're in a Dip: a temporary setback that you will overcome if you keep pushing. But maybe it's really a Cul-de-Sac, which will never get better, no matter how hard you try.

According to best-selling author Seth Godin, what really sets superstars apart from everyone else is the ability to escape dead ends quickly while staying focused and motivated when it really counts.

Winners quit fast, quit often, and quit without guilt: until they commit to beating the right Dip for the right reasons. In fact, winners seek out the Dip. They realize that the bigger the barrier, the bigger the reward for getting past it. If you can become number one in your niche, you'll get more than your fair share of profits, glory, and long-term security.

Losers, on the other hand, fall into two basic traps. Either they fail to stick out the Dip - they get to the moment of truth and then give up - or they never even find the right Dip to conquer.

Whether you're a graphic designer, a sales rep, an athlete, or an aspiring CEO, this fun little book will help you figure out if you're in a Dip that's worthy of your time, effort, and talents. If you are, The Dip will inspire you to hang tough. If not, it will help you find the courage to quit so you can be number one at something else.

Seth Godin doesn't claim to have all the answers. But he will teach you how to ask the right questions.

©2007 Seth Godin (P)2007 Audible, Inc. Career Success Motivation & Self-Improvement Personal Development Personal Success Time Management Time Management & Productivity Career Inspiring Business

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Seth Godin's writing and reading style is extremely interesting and his metaphors insightful. In this book "The Dip" he explains why, in his belief, some companies and individuals succeed and why others fail. By fail, Godin explains, they merely stop trying to get out of "The Dip". In everything we do we experience a dip, for example in the book, Godin gives an example of how many people would like to Snowboard but the Dip is the falling over, the sore joints, the cold etc and they give up. People face the dip and can hammer through and get to the other side or they can give up. Every professional in any field has faced this "Dip" but it's whether they've made it through or not that counts. Sometimes it's better to given in and accept that the Dip is too big, you don't have enough, time energy or capital to get through so facing it is the best option. Jack "the neutron" Welsh quit in the dip of many of GE's product lines. He decided that he would only allow GE to compete in an market where they could be place number 1 or number 2 in that market and devote thir time and revenue to those pursuits.

The book is full of little gems of information for such a small book and if you are interested in marketing then it's certainly a nice read. The book doesn't come out with anything very original except for the metaphors. One especially interesting one was that of the bicycle wheel and how starting to pump it is similar to starting the marketing process. The first few blasts of air/efforts are lost in the large market and it's not until we come to an equilibrium that it becomes effective.

In conclusion, it's a nice book to get in a sale but if you are looking for something on marketing with a bit of meat to it, then have a look at Godin's other titles "Permission Marketing" or "All marketers are Liars" both are excellent!

Please rate this review! Thank you!!

A nice little read!

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An extended blog post that contains a lot of repetition. I didn't blow me away.

Its ok.

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Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes, it was a message that made me think put forward in a very concise way.

What did you like best about this story?

Seth has one idea and instead of string it out into a long book with loads of repetition he just explains it in a clear way and that is good.

Do you think The Dip needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

The audio book just ends suddenly. It felt that there was more to say

Any additional comments?

This book is very poor value for money. It essentially feels like two chapters from a normal book taken to make into a short (1:45) audio book. Considering normal books of this type tend to be 5-7 hours. For one credit I could even have had something like Don Quixote at 36 hours so it is very poor value for money. I listened to it in two drives to work normally I would expect something to last me a week or two.

Good message but very poor value for money

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Wow! Seth has produced a kick-up-the-backside book! Blisteringly simple! On Point! What a read! Love it!

Mervyn Barrett
Inevitability Coach at 5sense Management Technologies Ltd

Forceful!

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this book was great to listen to, very clear idea and quite easy to follow

great message, to the point

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I like books that get to the point and don't pad, and this slim volume delivers it's message pithily and briefly. Basically, do more of what's important and less of what isn't, because you don't need to be good at everything.

The author does well-enough as his own narrator.

Short and punchy.

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Seth has a natural ability to make you aware of what in reality you already know, but infuses you with his insight, foresight and tools to raise your awareness and raise your game.

Being the Best Version of yourself

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Will listen again for sure. Perfect length with loads of value. Thank Seth for your wisdom

Gamechanging

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This book introduced me to a life changing paradigm that has almost immediately begun to change the way I behave for the better. By giving me permission and encouragement to “quit the wrong things” it has empowered me to be intentional about my precious time and resources.

The book itself isn’t incredibly written or always enjoyable, but the core principles it teaches are game changing (at least for me and, I suspect, many others). And so for this I’m extremely grateful to Seth Godin. If you are spread to thinly and would benefit from intentional smart quitting, then this book will change your life.

Life changing paradigm (for some)

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Accepting that you MUST face the dip is a real eye opener for me. Now I can decide strategically if I want to move on in a certain project or quit. Great advise

A real eye opener

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