So Good They Can't Ignore You 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

    • 4.4 • 236 Ratings
    • $14.99
    • $14.99

Publisher Description

In an unorthodox approach, Georgetown University professor Cal Newport debunks the long-held belief that "follow your passion" is good advice, and sets out on a quest to discover the reality of how people end up loving their careers.

Not only are pre-existing passions rare and have little to do with how most people end up loving their work, but a focus on passion over skill can be dangerous, leading to anxiety and chronic job hopping. Spending time with organic farmers, venture capitalists, screenwriters, freelance computer programmers, and others who admitted to deriving great satisfaction from their work, Newport uncovers the strategies they used and the pitfalls they avoided in developing their compelling careers.

Cal reveals that matching your job to a pre-existing passion does not matter. 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.

With a title taken from the comedian Steve Martin, who once said his advice for aspiring entertainers was to "be so good they can't ignore you," Cal Newport's clearly written manifesto is mandatory reading for anyone fretting about what to do with their life, or frustrated by their current job situation and eager to find a fresh new way to take control of their livelihood. He provides an evidence-based blueprint for creating work you love, and will change the way you think about careers, happiness, and the crafting of a remarkable life.

GENRE
Business & Personal Finance
RELEASED
2012
September 18
LANGUAGE
EN
English
LENGTH
288
Pages
PUBLISHER
Grand Central Publishing
SELLER
Hachette Digital, Inc.
SIZE
1.6
MB

Customer Reviews

Mustard Zoltar Podrowska ,

Wish there was a shortened version

95% of the book is anecdotes about unbelievable people.

The narrator is intensely boring and you’ll want to listen to it on at least 1.25x - 2x speed.

It is said to be 6 hrs 28 mins and it was a real grind to get through it.

It probably could have been 1-2 hours easy.

That being said, I give it 4 stars because the thesis of the book is eye opening.

KevinJones88 ,

Relevant

This book has greater relevance today than it did when written. That said, its claim is timeless and will stand up 100 years from now just as it can today. A definite must-read for anyone questioning their work and seeking to love what they do.

Coach Hobbs ,

Every college student and young professional should read this book

I read around 60 books per year and this might be my favorite in 2022. It is full of direct advice and interesting stories, and received an easy 5 stars rating.

More Books Like This

The Adversity Paradox The Adversity Paradox
2009
The Leap The Leap
2009
One Person / Multiple Careers One Person / Multiple Careers
2012
The Education of Millionaires The Education of Millionaires
2011
Crazy Is a Compliment Crazy Is a Compliment
2014
The Entrepreneurial Instinct: How Everyone Has the Innate Ability to Start a Successful Small Business The Entrepreneurial Instinct: How Everyone Has the Innate Ability to Start a Successful Small Business
2012

More Books by Cal Newport

Deep Work Deep Work
2016
Digital Minimalism Digital Minimalism
2019
How to Become a Straight-A Student How to Become a Straight-A Student
2006
How to Win at College How to Win at College
2005
Slow Productivity Slow Productivity
2024
A World Without Email A World Without Email
2021

Customers Also Bought

Ultralearning Ultralearning
2019
Effortless Effortless
2021
Think Like a Rocket Scientist Think Like a Rocket Scientist
2020
The Practice The Practice
2020
Rework Rework
2010
Give and Take Give and Take
2013