some stuff

I just finished reading “The dip“.  It is a really small book and the  material is light. You could finish reading the entire book  in 3 – 4  sittings if you want.  I think it is a good read but honestly, I was expecting more out of it.

Here is what I got out of the book.

1. You have to quit doing things which you know you can’t be best at so that you can focus all your energy on something you can excel in.

2. Majority of the people quit when they are in a dip. So, don’t quit when you are having trouble staying afloat.

3. If you keep quitting, it becomes a habit. Don’t get into that mode. Think hard before even getting into something.

At the end, I was still disappointed with this book. No doubt, it gives some good anecdotes about how people quit things to concentrate on something they badly wanted and how they succeeded  in it and stuff. But it never tells you how to recognise that you are in a culdesac and not a dip. You cut when you are in culdesac and you don’t quit when you are in a dip. The million dollar question is,  when you are in the middle of something and you are having a hard time, how do you differentiate between the two?

Update: I forgot one big point he makes in the book. People who are experts in one thing are so much more valuable than generics (jack of all trades).  He gives some compelling examples for this. I completely agree with it. Quit everything else to become a master in one.

If there is anyone out there who has read this book, you are welcome to answer my question.

Seth – If you happen to run into this blog post, feel free to answer my question

Have a good weekend!

Mahesh Murthy