This short book is an easy read but packs in many thought-provoking concepts and practical ideas. Godin believes that it is not only appropriate to quit at times, but essential. To be the best in your life and your career you must:
"Quit the wrong stuff. Stick with the right stuff. Have the guts to do one or the other." He discusses why it is so important to be the best at what you do and the benefits that result. Godin writes that, contrary to what most of us learned in school, being well-rounded is not the secret to success. The free market rewards the exceptional, so focus on what you’re really great at, or can be, and quit some of the other stuff. "Strategic quitting is the secret to successful organizations."
The Dip, then, is the period between starting something and mastery, when it’s really tough, and when most people or organizations quit. But successful people don’t just ride out, buckle down and survive the Dip. No, they lean into the Dip and push even harder. The opposite of quitting isn’t "waiting around", it’s rededication: trying harder when the Dip gets a bit deeper and the going tougher. Those that emerge and make it through the Dip will reap the rewards. Godin recommends having a plan before you begin, which details the conditions under which you would or should quit. So try your best, lean into the Dip, and quit strategically. "Quitting is not the same as failing", Godin believes, but "quitting smart is a great way to avoid failing." Makes a lot of sense to me!