This quote is a metaphorical representation of the concept of incrementalism, which is the process of making slow and steady improvements or changes over time. However, Seth Godin warns that this strategy may not always be effective, especially when there are significant obstacles or challenges (the “cliff”) in your path.
The “cliff” can represent any major disruption that makes the current course unsustainable. It could be a sudden change in market conditions for a business, or an unexpected personal event like illness or job loss. When faced with such drastic changes, continuing to make small incremental adjustments might lead to failure because those minor tweaks would not be sufficient to overcome the larger issue at hand.
In today’s world, we see many examples where this principle applies. For instance, businesses during COVID-19 pandemic had to pivot quickly rather than relying on their usual incremental strategies because they were suddenly facing a “cliff”. Companies who relied on traditional retail had to shift rapidly towards e-commerce as physical stores were closed down.
In terms of personal development too, this idea holds relevance. If someone finds themselves stuck in an unfulfilling job or toxic relationship – these could be considered as ‘cliffs’. Incremental changes might not work here; instead one might need a more radical change like switching careers or ending relationships.
However, it’s important to note that while Godin’s quote warns about the limitations of incrementalism in certain situations; it does not suggest abandoning it altogether but rather calls for recognizing when different strategies are needed based upon changing circumstances.
