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Mastering The Dip: Knowing When To Quit Or Persevere

Writer's picture: Design ZindagiDesign Zindagi

Seth Godin’s The Dip challenges one of the most entrenched ideas about success: that persistence is always the answer. But here’s the truth: the world isn’t kind to mediocrity, and knowing when to quit can be as important as knowing when to stick it out.


This concept is extremely relevant for anyone who aspires or is already on the path of journey of entrepreneurship, innovating or designing products.


Let’s unpack The Dip and explore how understanding it can help you choose the paths worth fighting for and abandon those leading nowhere.



What is The Dip?

Godin describes The Dip as the tough, testing period between starting something new and achieving mastery or success. It’s the slog that separates those who settle for average from those who push through to greatness.


For example, when you start learning a skill, e.g. mastering user-centred design, you might experience rapid progress at first. But soon enough, enthusiasm wanes, the work gets harder, and results feel minimal. That’s The Dip.



The Dip... it goes deep.
The Dip... it goes deep.

However, not all dips are worth enduring. Some are “dead ends,” where no matter how hard you try, success will remain elusive.


Understanding this difference is crucial.



Recognising the Good Dip vs. the Dead End


The Good Dip

The good dip is difficult but worth the effort. It leads to excellence. Think about building a startup. The initial excitement fades when you’re stuck refining prototypes or navigating endless customer feedback. Yet, those who persist can emerge with a product that changes lives.


The Dead End

A dead end looks similar to a dip but offers no meaningful reward. Imagine spending years on a degree or business idea that no longer excites you or aligns with your goals. Pushing through for the sake of finishing might only waste valuable time and energy.


Practical Insight:

Ask yourself: Does this challenge have a meaningful upside? Does it align with my end goal? If the answer is no, it might be time to quit.



Quitting isn’t weakness, it’s strategy

One of the boldest lessons from The Dip is that quitting isn’t always failure. In fact, strategic quitting frees up your resources—time, energy, money—for pursuits that matter.


Take Steve Jobs. After being ousted from Apple, he could’ve doubled down on proving himself elsewhere.


Instead, he quit struggling for corporate approval and focused on building new ventures like Pixar and NeXT, both of which ultimately led him back to an even stronger Apple.


Did you know Steve Jobs was the main investor in Pixar? (Click here for source)
Did you know Steve Jobs was the main investor in Pixar? (Click here for source)

Practical Insight:

Write down your current projects or goals.


Next to each, ask: Am I invested in this because it’s meaningful, or because I’m afraid to let go?



When to push through The Dip?

So, how do you know when to stick it out? It comes back to clarity of purpose. Seth Godin’s advice aligns beautifully with Stephen Covey’s Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind. 


If you’re clear on your desired outcome, The Dip becomes a temporary hurdle, not an insurmountable wall.





For example:

  • A university student grinding through sleepless nights to complete a design portfolio for a top graduate programme.


  • An entrepreneur testing iteration after iteration of a product because they believe it will solve a real problem.


The common thread? Their actions are driven by a clear end goal, not blind persistence.



Practical Insight:

Revisit your goals and visualise the outcome. Are you working towards something extraordinary, or are you simply busy?



Overcoming The Dip: Tools to Keep You Moving

Once you’ve identified a challenge worth enduring, how do you push through?


  1. Celebrate Small Wins: Break your journey into smaller milestones. Celebrate each step forward—it’s how you stay motivated.


  2. Leverage Support: Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and resources that help you navigate rough patches.


  3. Focus on Mastery: Shift your mindset from immediate results to long-term mastery. Progress will feel more meaningful.



Conclusion: Success Is About the Right Dips

In the world of design, entrepreneurship, and innovation, challenges are inevitable. However, not all challenges are created equal.


Seth Godin’s The Dip reminds us that enduring the right struggles and quitting the wrong ones is how you achieve greatness.


So, as you set your goals, ask yourself:

  • Is this Dip worth enduring?

  • Am I chasing excellence, or settling for average?


Your answers will define whether you achieve something extraordinary—or simply get stuck.


What will you push through this year, and what will you let go? 


The choice is yours.


Until next time,


The Design Zindagi Team


 

For more information regarding The Dip, we recommend reading the full book by Seth Godin.


It is 76 pages long so short yet informative.

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