In the book “The Dip” by Seth Godin, he mentioned that for everyone wants to excel something, he/she will experience “the dip”. Think of the days when you just started to learn climbing - everything is so fun and you can feel your progress everyday. From struggling 5.9 in the gym to be able to send 5.11-; from top-rope 5.7 outdoor to lead 5.10s,… until you start to project 5.12s.
It takes more and more tries to redpoint; you need to do hangboarding to make your finger stronger; maybe lose some weight? or do some core workout? You even feel your progress become negative. It’s frustrating and not fun anymore… That’s the dip.
Most people quit at the dip. That’s why there are not many climbers go beyond 5.12s.
Apply to the business - most companies are struggling; most startups failed; only very few made it to the top.
Why? Can I be the second, or somewhere in the middle?
The problem is the first few best companies have the majority of the market share. People like “THE BEST”. The best of their own world. People know Daniel Woods, Alex Puccio as the strongest boulderers, Hazel Findlay as the best trad female climbers, Pamela Shanti Pack as the off-width expert. People care about the first accent, not the second accent. (Unless it’s the hardest route in that category.)
If you foresee the effort will be too big that you can’t afford, quit before you even start. If you’re already in the dip, it’s the worst time to quit.
If you’re experiencing the dip, you know it’s hard and frustrating. As a climber, I’ve experienced the dip in the past couple months as my fingers have been injured. Still trying to keep training and doing isometric workout. My business is experiencing a dip due to COVID-19 quarantine. There’s a lot uncertainty in the future. If you’re experiencing the same thing, you’re not the only one.