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So Good They Can’t Ignore You
Book

So Good They Can’t Ignore You

Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love

Cal Newport
Business Plus, 2012

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Editorial Rating

8

Recommendation

Cal Newport, an assistant professor of computer science and frequent author, discredits the popular myth that following your passion will lead automatically to a successful, fulfilling career. He suggests that developing valuable skills and becoming “so good they can’t ignore you” is far more effective. He says pursuing your heart’s desire can lead to disappointment, including a lack of jobs in your chosen field and an underdeveloped skill set. He draws on the success of such notables as Steve Jobs, who perfected his skills as part of his relentless efforts to refine his craft. Newport frequently revisits the theme that nothing replaces hard work and persistence. He believes that if you become great at what you do, passion will follow. Using case studies, he highlights ways to focus your professional efforts and to create a meaningful career by working toward a mission. getAbstract recommends his advice to anyone intent on developing the right skills for career advancement.

Take-Aways

  • Workers may pursue their passions in hopes of success. Alas, failure often ensues.
  • You do not need passion to find happiness at work; you do need an opportunity to gain the crucial “career capital” of “rare and valuable” skills.
  • The longer you do your job, the more likely you are to excel at it and to develop good relationships with your colleagues, both factors that contribute to job satisfaction.

About the Author

Cal Newport is an assistant professor of computer science at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He also wrote How to Become a Straight-A Student, How to Be a High School Superstar and How to Win at College. His blog, Study Hacks, discusses his efforts to “decode patterns of success.”

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    O. M. 6 years ago
    This summary is not available as a PDF file?
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    A. 6 years ago
    Pertinent to what I am doing with The American Writers & Artists Inc.
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    K. S. 6 years ago
    Very cool content