So Good They Can’t Ignore You - Cal Newport

[Solar]

I've recently read a book that was very thought provoking so I thought I'd share some information taken from the authors own blog. Perphaps some of you find it interesting enough to read. The book basically presents an antithesis to the popular and somewhat new-agey idea, that to find the work you love, you have to find your passion.

So Good They Can’t Ignore You

Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love

“FOLLOW YOUR PASSION” IS BAD ADVICE. HERE IS WHAT YOU SHOULD DO INSTEAD…

In this eye-opening account, Cal Newport debunks the long-held belief that “follow your passion” is good advice. Not only is the cliche flawed—preexisting passions are rare and have little to do with how most people end up loving their work—but it can also be dangerous, leading to anxiety and chronic job hopping.

After making his case against passion, Newport sets out on a quest to discover the reality of how people end up loving what they do. 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.

Matching your job to a preexisting passion does not matter, he reveals. 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.

Some elemens of his manifesto:

A CAREER MANIFESTO

Career advice has fallen into a terribly simplistic rut. Figure out what you’re passionate about, then follow that passion: this idea provides the foundation for just about every guide to improving your working life.

The Career Craftsman rejects this reductionist drivel.

The Career Craftsman understands that “follow your passion and all will be happy” is a children’s tale. Most people don’t have pre-existing passions waiting to be unearthed. Happiness requires more than solving a simple matching problem.

The Career Craftsman knows there’s no magical “right job” waiting out there for you. Any number of pursuits can provide the foundation for an engaging life.

The Career Craftsman believes that compelling careers are not courageously pursued or serendipitously discovered, but are instead systematically crafted.

The Career Craftsman believes this process of career crafting always begins with the mastery of something rare and valuable. The traits that define great work (autonomy, creativity, impact, recognition) are rare and valuable themselves, and you need something to offer in return. Put another way: no one owes you a fulfilling job; you have to earn it.

The Career Craftsman believes that mastery is just the first step in crafting work you love. Once you have the leverage of a rare and valuable skill, you need to apply this leverage strategically to make your working life increasingly fulfulling. It is then — and only then — that you should expect a feeling of passion for your work to truly take hold.

The Career Craftsman thinks the idea that “societal expectations” are trying to hold you down in a safe but boring career path is a boogeyman invented to sell eBooks. You don’t need courage to create a cool life. You need the type of valuable skills that let you write your own ticket.

The Career Craftsman never expects to love an entry level job (or to stay in that job long before moving up).

The Career Craftsman thinks “is this my calling?” is a stupid question.

The Career Craftsman is data-driven. Admire someone’s career? Work out exactly how they made it happen. The answers you’ll find will be less romantic but more actionable than you might expect.

The Career Craftsman believes the color of your parachute is irrelevant if you take the time to get good at flying the damn plane in the first place.

Chronic job hoppers like me, who are desperately trying to figure out what's wrong with their (professional) life will probably jump on this as I did. I found it inspiring, it even gave me a push to start exploring other areas of my life, and start reading some of the recommended books on this forum.

 

[edwardthefirst]

Hi Solar,

I also thought it was a very good read however, I would caveat my recommendation by saying that the book basically only has one big idea, all be it a good one.

The idea being that a 'Craftman' mindset is better than a 'Passion' mindset, as the terms are defined in his book.

 

[Solar]

Hi Solar,

I also thought it was a very good read however, I would caveat my recommendation by saying that the book basically only has one big idea, all be it a good one.

The idea being that a 'Craftman' mindset is better than a 'Passion' mindset, as the terms are defined in his book.

Hi edwardthefirst,
nice to see someone reading this book. I am still applying the principles of the 'Craftman' mindset. Although I cannot identify with my profession anymore, which means, one of the requierements of its applicability is not met. This didn't make it completely worthless for me though, it actually helped me to persevere.