Since I’ve posted the “tough decisions” post a few days ago, I’ve gotten an overwhelming amount of support via email, calls, IMs, and the like. That really does a few things for a guy like me.
1) It shows me that the decision I made was the right one. It was a hard one (as, I guess, the “right” ones usually are), but it’s one that will be a positive move. It’s the right move for me, my family, and my sanity. Sometimes you just have to let things go, and now was the right time. Thanks to everyone for reinforcing that.
2) I have the best group of friends that anyone could ever want. The kind words, encouragement, and just general niceties are more appreciated than all of you could ever know. I really do mean that.
So, now that that’s all out of the way, I want to recommend a book that did a lot to help me make that very tough decision.
I’ve been a fan of Seth Godin for a long time. He’s easily one of the most knowledgeable writers around when it comes to marketing, business, and the ability to reach a certain audience. If you’ve never checked out his blog, now’s the time to add it to your RSS reader. It’s a treasure trove of really cool (and useful) information.
One of his latest books, The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (And When to Stick) is a quick read. You could probably even finish it in a few hours. Don’t let the quantity fool you, though, as this tiny book is full of essential information about your business when things just don’t seem to be working. It’s not so much a book to tell you that it’s time to quit, but more a guide to see the warning signs that your idea/business/etc might not be working as well as it should be.
The Dip was an essential part of my coming to grips with my photography situation and really helped me see all the reasons why I should make that “tough decision.” I’d easily recommend it to anyone (even those who aren’t business owners). It’s a smart, little book that can help steer you in the right direction.
Funny thing is… The Dip isn’t even my favorite Seth Godin book. That honor goes to All Marketers Are Liars: The Power of Telling Authentic Stories in a Low-Trust World. Such a great book. Especially for PR/Marketing geeks like me.
More positive and fun posts this weekend. I promise!
