Finding My Way Through the Dip

I’ve been thinking a lot about perseverance lately. 

It’s a word you hear a lot especially with respect to leadership and team management. Keep going. Push through. Dig deep. But when things get truly hard, when you're in what Seth Godin calls The Dip, that advice can feel vague at best, and exhausting at worst. 

If you haven’t read The Dip, I highly recommend it. It’s a quick read that helped me reframe how to evaluate when things get hard and I may feel like walking away.  When you are in the Dip, quitting isn’t always bad. In fact, as Godin explains, strategic quitting is essential. It allows you to focus on the things that will lead to success and reward if you power through." But the real thing lies in knowing what to quit and what to double down on. 

That message hit me right in the middle of a season where I’ve been asking myself hard questions about Ready Set GC. We’ve built something real and authentic. We’ve built a community for women sitting and future GCs that offers leadership growth, empowerment, and deep connection. And yet, like many mission-driven efforts, we’ve hit a few bumps lately. Conversations about single-gender spaces, the increasing scrutiny of our legal profession, and the role of the firms who deliver services and sponsor our programs have prompted real reflection and challenge. 

Lately, I admit it, I have been stuck in the Dip. But I’ve leaned in. I’ve felt defeated. I’ve done some real soul searching and then I leaned in again and decided to find a way through it so RSGC continues to thrive, and our community continues to grow. But here’s what I’ve learned about getting through it and what I want to share with anyone else navigating their own version of that tough middle place: 

1. Pause and Clear Your Head 

It’s tempting to power through. But I found comfort and power in just taking a step back. I tried to quiet the racing thoughts just stopped. Give your brain room to rest, both actively (go for that walk, do some yoga, or read a romcom) and passively (let your subconscious process while you sleep, journal, or simply be). Clarity comes when we create space for it. 

For me, stepping back helped me find my way back to my north star. It reminded me of why I started RSGC in the first place, the impact I’ve seen it have, and the drive to find ways to ensure its continued success. 

2. Get Organized and Ask the Right Questions 

Tune out the noise. Focus on defining the problem you’re facing and ask yourself why it seems challenging at the moment. In other words, why are you in the Dip. Be honest—and then ask the big question: Is this a Dip I need to push through, or is this a sign that it’s time to let something go? 

As The Dip reminded me, quitting the wrong things is a mistake. But quitting the right things, at the right time, is how you create room for the things that matter most. The power is knowing how to tell the difference. Sounds easy, right?  

For RSGC, the challenge has centered around our partnership model with law firms. These firms are not just sponsors; they’re part of our community. They support RSGC and the women we are trying to connect with.  As such, we have to keep asking: Are these the right partners for our mission? Are we in alignment? Are we staying focused, clear, and values-led? 

These aren’t easy questions. But they’re the right ones.  

3. Give Yourself (and Others) Grace 

We’ve all got a lot going on. And when you’re deep in the weeds, it’s easy to lose perspective. That’s when grace becomes essential; grace for yourself, your team, your partners. I have found that this short and quirky phrase has so much power. Give grace. It might be that easy. 

Reach out to people you trust. Let them speak into the situation. Sometimes what you need isn’t more grit but more guidance. I relied on the amazing RSGC Advisory Board and trusted colleagues to help give me clarity.  

4. Once You See the Path—Stay the Course 

This is the part where all the clichés show up: Stay the course. Trust the process. Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. (Or as my middle daughter lovingly reminds me, “That’s so cheuggy.”) 

But here’s the thing: just because it’s a cliché, even a cheuggy one, doesn’t mean it's untrue. Once you’ve done the work to pause, assess, and recommit, that’s when perseverance matters.  

That’s where I am now—with fresh clarity and renewed energy to lead RSGC through the Dip. We’ve got some exciting news on the sponsor front, a webinar series launching, updates to our websites, a second Ascend program for the fall of 2025, and continued connection with women who’ve been through the program and remind me every day. 

If you’re navigating your own Dip—whether you're a first-time GC, building influence in a complicated environment, or simply trying to figure out your next move, I hope this helps. And I highly recommend you pick up a copy of the Dip or listen to it. It’s a quick read or listen and well worth the investment. 

Deborah Solmor Founder, Ready Set GC General Counsel, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation