Do you want to be great?
I do. I recently read The Dip by Seth Godin. It’s a small book that has some fresh ideas about when to quit and when to keep going. I recommend it.
One idea in the book is that to become outstanding you need to go through a squeeze point. If a field doesn’t have a difficult stretch, there is no way to separate the great from the good. If the task is easy, it will be crowded at the top.
I’d like to take this a step farther. Imagine you want to become great. (You do, don’t you?) Imagine you know that it’s going to be hard. (Great news!) What will carry you through the rough spots?
Willpower? Sheer stubbornness? The support of family, friends, or a coach? Positive habits?
All of these help. Any of these might be enough. Better still — and making all of these easier — is love.
If you have a passion for academics, you’ll find it much easier and more fun to put in the extra hours and write that thesis for the degree with honors. If you love weightlifting, you will persevere through the plateau when no progress is visible. If you love your partner, you’ll stay through the hard times and become the greatest partner you could ever be.
Without love, why would you want to stay through the hard parts?
Now, I happen to love reading. I’m not sure reading has a Dip in Seth Godin’s sense. Maybe The Dip in reading is Faulkner or The Faerie Queen. Maybe it’s learning to read analytically or beginning to write. Maybe it’s continuing to find time to read as life becomes ever more busy.
In any case, my love of reading has served me well. I’ve had many hours of pleasure from reading, and now have many books to share with you. I’ve absorbed much about writing and continue to learn. I’m going to keep it up.
What do you want to be great at? Does it have a Dip? What do you love?
If you don’t know, call me and I’ll help you find out. If you do know, call me, and I’ll help you get more of what you love. Call 505-640-0979 and talk to me about what I can do for you.