Every creative, leader, and entrepreneur knows the fear: running out of steam, losing the spark, hitting ‘the dip’. It’s that moment when enthusiasm wanes, doubts creep in, and the path forward seems shrouded in fog.
In his book The Dip, Seth Godin describes it as “the long slog between starting and mastery.” Many give up at this point, but the truly successful find their edge.
Consider Airbnb’s early days. Co-founder Brian Chesky recalls when they were making just $200 a week and drowning in credit card debt. That was their dip. But instead of folding, they used it as a catalyst to refine their idea and push harder.
As author Steven Pressfield puts it, “The professional has learned that success, like happiness, comes as a by-product of work.”
So, how do we ride the dip?
- Recognize it: Acknowledge you’re in a dip, not a dead end.
- Reframe it: See it as a filtering process that weeds out the uncommitted.
- Use it: Let it fuel your creativity and push you to innovate.
- Rest in it: Sometimes, a creative break is exactly what you need.
Remember, the dip isn’t a sign of failure; it’s a rite of passage. It’s nature’s way of stress-testing your commitment and creativity.
Are you ready to stop fearing the dip and start using it as your secret weapon?
