Seth Godin’s “The Dip” is in my Moleskine

Recognize your curves

Know what to do in the Dip

Average = YUCK!

Don't quit at the wrong time

Posted on September 16, 2008 - Filed Under Reviews, Simplifying

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Comments (14)

Brett Legree

Tue 2008.09.16

As per my tweet, I just have to say Lode, that is really cool. I’ve got dozens of quotes and things like this in my Moleskine too - when I need to know I’m on the right path, or for a kick in the behind - it’s right there.

If a picture is worth 1000 words, then your blog post is 4001 words (4 pictures plus your signature!)

Thanks for the pictures/words - Brett

Brett Legree’s last blog post..eyes.
Marina Martin

Tue 2008.09.16

This is genius! I’m doing this with my Moleskine right this second. Thanks so much for sharing.
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome

Tue 2008.09.16

Great summary of The Dip - I haven’t read the ebook yet, but will definitely do so now while I’m still on that first curve.

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post..A Life Without Somedays: Erin Doland Interview
Lodewijk

Tue 2008.09.16

@Brett - In that case this must be the longest blog post I have ever written

@Marina - I wanted to write a blog post about The Dip, looked in my Moleskine and thought: “It’s already there”. So this was a real efficient way to “write” this post!

@Alex - Thanks for stumbling! I read the paper version of The Dip, I wasn’t aware that there’s an eBook version as well. It’s a quick read, fun and thought-provoking.
Matt Ellsworth

Tue 2008.09.16

great post. Sums things up quite nicely.

Matt Ellsworth’s last blog post..Google Launching Quality Score Changes in Days
Michael@ Awareness * Connection

Mon 2008.09.22

Hey Lode,

Thanks for the executive summary. That is an inspiring take on slumps. Also I love Moleskines. So this was a great combo.

What exceptions do you see to Godin’s advice from The Dip, or do you think he nailed it and there really aren’t any?

BTW you have unusually nice writing for a guy.
Coaching Employees

Wed 2008.09.24

Great post! Some of the greatest successes in my life have come after elongated periods of strain and stress during which the decision to quit becomes so appealing. There are times when it is not only good to quit, but wise. However, in my life the efforts toward success tend to be rewarded with great gratification.
Paunchiness

Thu 2008.09.25

That is an excellent book. I am going to go home tonight and read it again. Thanks for sharing your insights.

I also use a moleskine but unfortunately it doesn’t have the same wealth of knowledge in it as yours does.

Paunchiness´s last blog post..Running - Day Three of Torture
David | beplayful

Fri 2008.09.26

Lodewijk,

I decided to visit after you commented on my blog, then I realised that I’d stumbled upon this blog post recently and was very impressed!

I love how you’ve drawn it all out.

David

David | beplayful´s last blog post..The A-Z of Playfulness
Paunchiness

Fri 2008.09.26

I read the book again. It was a good time in my life for it. I am in the dip but going to push through on this one. Thanks for reminding me of a great book.

Paunchiness´s last blog post..Win an Apple® iPod® Shuffle
Lodewijk

Tue 2008.09.30

@Michael - I can’t stop wondering whether the spike that follows the dip isn’t going to result in a new dip. But in general I think Seth Godin did a great job.

Technically one could assume that there is the possibility of a straight line going upwards at a steady pace. But I think that people would follow the dip curve psychologically in that case. Thoughts like ‘Could this be true?’, ‘This is far too predictable…’ or even ‘There’s no dip here, we must be on a Cul-de-Sac’ might just appear when faced with a predictable future
Lodewijk

Tue 2008.09.30

@Coaching Employees - Sometimes you just have to hang in there. It sounds like you picked the right things and surfed the dip curve successfully.

@Paunchiness - You’re most welcome. I’m glad you liked the review and read the book again. And as far as wealth of knowledge is concerned…knowledge is worthless when not put into action. Ultimately it’s about what you do, and not about what you know.
Lodewijk

Tue 2008.09.30

@David | beplayful - Hi David! Welcome (back) to my blog. I love writing and drawing in my moleskine. I’m really glad that it’s received so well. I’m definitely going to use this more often
Morgan Coudray

Mon 2008.10.13

Great post! The dip is definitely a theory that can be applied to a project’s lifetime. The only part that is missing is the possibility of “burning out” at the bottom of the first dip. I have used this curve to demonstrate the lifetime of start-up creations…many end up burning out at the end of the curve.