Have you ever read Seth Godin’s book The Dip? As described by Seth, it’s “a little book that teaches you when to quit (and when to stick).” Not long ago we had our Principals and key business development force read this as part of a series of corporate enrichment meetings. At the time it certainly generated a good deal of dialogue – discussions ranging from the tenacity and drive that it takes to remain successful in a fast-paced changing world to “what do you mean ‘quit’?!”

The premise of the book is pretty straightforward. Quit the wrong stuff. Stick with the right stuff. Have the guts to do one or the other. Of course there’s a bit more to it than that, but these are the fundamentals. And according to Godin, the superstars in the world – people, companies, you name it – have learned how to escape dead ends quickly while staying focused and motivated when it really counts.

With the never ending economic doom and gloom of late monopolizing news reports and blog discussions I’d say now’s a time when focus and motivation are essential. Those of us in leadership positions are certainly being challenged these days to make calculated and strategic decisions that will allow us to appropriately steer the direction of our companies. Panic (another topic covered in the book) is not an option.

So while unsettling times still lie ahead, sound planning and wise use of resources can help to smooth the road. And as we embark on setting business strategies for 2010, knowing when to call an end to damaging or unproductive efforts doesn’t hurt either.