How to Push Through the Dip: Lessons from Seth Godin That Changed the Way I Work
How-to-Push-Through-the-Dip-for-Entrepreneurs-Seth-Godin-Tips
Introduction: My Love for Seth Godin’s Advice
Let me start by saying: I’m a huge Seth Godin fan. His books, his blog, his perspective on entrepreneurship—it’s like he’s speaking directly to me.
Seth doesn’t sugarcoat things. He doesn’t tell you what you want to hear; he tells you what you need to hear. And one of the most powerful things I’ve learned from him is the concept of the dip.
The dip is that messy middle where you’re grinding, spinning your wheels, and questioning everything. It’s where the excitement of starting fades, and the real work begins. It’s also where most people quit.
But here’s the thing—Seth teaches us that the dip isn’t a sign to stop. It’s a challenge to push through, focus on what matters, and come out stronger on the other side. That message? It’s been a game-changer for me.
So, if you’re in the dip right now—whether you’re overwhelmed with your business, stuck in old-school methods, or just tired—I want to share what I’ve learned from Seth Godin and how his advice can help you find your way through.
1. The Dip: What It Is and Why It Matters
Seth describes the dip as the point where things get hard—really hard. It’s the gap between beginner’s luck and mastery.
Signs You’re in the Dip:
You’re doing all the things—posting on social media, updating your website, reaching out to clients—but it feels like nothing is working.
You’re exhausted and questioning if you’re even cut out for this.
You’re comparing yourself to others and wondering why they seem to have it all figured out.
When I first learned about the dip, it hit me hard because I’ve been there. That feeling of spinning my wheels, doing everything I thought I was supposed to do, but not seeing results? Yeah, that’s the dip.
Why the Dip Is a Gift:
Seth says the dip isn’t failure; it’s a filter. It’s where most people quit, which means those who push through become the best in their field.
"The dip is the long slog between starting and mastery. It’s what separates those who try from those who succeed."
2. Stop Being Busy; Start Being Intentional
Seth’s advice that truly changed the way I work is this: stop confusing activity with progress.
When I started out, I thought being busy meant being productive. I’d spend hours tweaking my website, posting on Instagram, and trying to learn new tools, but none of it brought me closer to my goals.
What I Learned:
Focus on the few activities that truly matter.
Let go of tasks that don’t move the needle.
Done is better than perfect—launch the imperfect website, send the email, and refine as you go.
Example: Instead of spending weeks perfecting my branding, I focused on getting my services out there. Guess what? Clients didn’t care if my website colors were “just right.” They cared that I could help them.
3. Build Systems That Work for You
Seth talks a lot about creating systems that simplify your life and business. This hit home for me because, like many of you, I was doing everything manually.
Game-Changing Systems I Swear By:
Automate Repetitive Tasks: Tools like Flodesk save me hours by automating email workflows.
Batch Work: I write multiple blog posts or social media captions in one sitting to save time.
Delegate: I learned to outsource tasks that aren’t in my zone of genius, like bookkeeping or advanced tech fixes.
“You can’t scale chaos. Build systems that let you focus on your genius.”
This advice is pure gold. Once I stopped trying to be a superhero and embraced systems, I had more time to focus on what I truly love—helping people build their dreams.
4. Your Online Presence Is Everything
Seth often says that your online presence is your story. It’s where people go to learn who you are, what you do, and why they should trust you.
What Your Online Presence Needs to Do:
Clearly explain what you offer and who you serve.
Make it easy for people to contact you or book your services.
Build trust through testimonials, case studies, or a compelling “About Me” page.
For a long time, I was guilty of overthinking my website. But the truth? A simple, clean design with clear calls-to-action is all you need to start. Don’t let the fear of “not being ready” hold you back.
5. Stop Trying to Be for Everyone
This is one of my favorite lessons from Seth: you can’t please everyone.
“If you’re for everyone, you’re for no one.”
How I Applied This:
I got clear on my ideal client: female entrepreneurs who want beautiful, functional websites and practical coaching.
I stopped trying to do everything—social media, blogging, websites, coaching—and focused on what I love most.
Example: Instead of being a general business coach, I became someone who helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses with strategic coaching and website design. This focus changed everything.
6. The Power of Consistency
Seth would remind us that showing up consistently is more important than being perfect.
What This Looks Like:
Posting one valuable blog a month is better than posting 10 mediocre ones sporadically.
Sending a short, heartfelt email is better than waiting until you have the “perfect” newsletter.
Taking one small step every day adds up over time.
7. The Dip Is Where You Grow
Seth Godin says the dip is hard because it’s supposed to be. It’s where you learn, adapt, and find what works. It’s where resilience is built.
Examples of People Who Pushed Through:
Sara Blakely: Faced countless rejections before Spanx took off.
J.K. Rowling: Wrote Harry Potter while broke and raising a child.
Airbnb Founders: Struggled to get funding and almost gave up before they hit their breakthrough.
8. Know When to Quit (The Right Things)
Not everything is worth pushing through. Seth teaches that quitting strategically is smart—it frees you up to focus on what truly matters.
What I’ve Quit:
Offering services that didn’t align with my long-term goals.
Trying to master every single tech tool instead of sticking to what I know.
Quitting the wrong things made room for me to double down on what I love and what works.
Conclusion: Seth’s Wisdom, My Journey, and Your Next Step
Seth Godin’s teachings on the dip have shaped the way I approach my business and my life. They’ve taught me to:
Focus on what truly matters.
Build systems that simplify, not complicate.
Show up consistently, even when it’s hard.
If you’re in the dip right now, know this: you’re not alone. You’re not failing. You’re growing. The dip is where breakthroughs happen, and I believe in your ability to push through.
And remember, you don’t have to do it all on your own. Seth’s advice has helped me, and I’d love to help you too—whether it’s building a website, simplifying your systems, or finding clarity in your next steps.
Keep going. The other side of the dip is waiting for you. 💪
