So Good They Can't Ignore You
So Good They Can't Ignore You
Cal Newport
Jodie Cook
I love the focus on being unapologetically exceptional, putting the hours in and outproducing everyone else on your quest to becoming a true artist. - Jodie Cook
Ben Greenfield
Most Recommended Books reached out to Ben Greenfield directly.
Andrew Ng
Gives a valuable perspective on how to select a path for one's career. - Andrew Ng
Kevin Kelly
What you really want to do is to master something and to use your mastering of something as a way to get to your passion. - Kevin Kelly
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So Good They Can't Ignore You

So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love

Cal Newport
By
Cal Newport
4.1
4027
ratings on Goodreads

Cal Newport challenges the often romanticized and potentially misleading mantra of "follow your passion" with a compelling narrative that interrogates the essence of how true career satisfaction is attained. In "So Good They Can't Ignore You," Newport embarks on an investigative journey, drawing on insightful conversations with individuals from diverse fields—ranging from organic farming to venture capitalism, screenwriting to computer programming. These encounters reveal a common thread: passion is not a starting point but a reward for dedication, mastery, and the pursuit of something far more tangible—craftsmanship and excellence. Newport dissects the flawed premise of preexisting passions guiding career paths and instead, posits that the foundation of meaningful work is built upon skills, resilience, and the strategic application of effort. With an approach that is both analytical and accessible, Newport overturns conventional wisdom, presenting a blueprint for constructing a career that not only sustains but thrills and fulfills. Drawing inspiration from Steve Martin's ethos of being "so good they can't ignore you," this manifesto is not just a critique of career myths but a practical guide towards achieving work that resonates deeply with one's values and aspirations. It is a pivotal read for anyone at a career crossroad, feeling stuck in job dissatisfaction, or simply seeking to infuse their work life with a deeper sense of purpose and control. Through Newport's lens, we learn that the pathway to passion is cultivated through excellence, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of becoming indispensable in our chosen fields.

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Released
2012
1 Jan
Length
288
Pages

4

recommendations

recommendation

Most Recommended Books reached out to Ben Greenfield directly.
I love the focus on being unapologetically exceptional, putting the hours in and outproducing everyone else on your quest to becoming a true artist. - Jodie Cook
Gives a valuable perspective on how to select a path for one's career. - Andrew Ng
What you really want to do is to master something and to use your mastering of something as a way to get to your passion. - Kevin Kelly
Passion comes after you put in the hard work to become excellent at something valuable, not before. In other words, what you do for a living is much less important than how you do it.
— Cal Newport, So Good They Can't Ignore You

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