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

Yes. Good advice. Thought-provoking ideas.

Some of Peter Drucker's works on knowledge workers and second act careers.

Cal Newport's work is an important contribution to career-planning books. Unlike the reviewer who recommends not to buy the book if you are over 30, I would heartily recommend it for those new to the world of work as well as those who have many years under their belt. Cal's advice on mission plan and good use of career capital can be put to good use by someone who has been in the knowledge working world for a while. If there is a shortcoming, it might be that Cal's perspective is at times narrowed by his academic career. Some of his advice could use refining or evolution for those of us in business. But it is a very good start and, hopefully, not his last contribution to this important area.

I do take note of fellow reviewers' input to make buy decisions. But something made me override their advice this time.

I've now listened twice, beginning to end. And certain parts three or four times in quick succession. It will be more in the future. I've decided on this re-listening strategy to get the muck out of my mind, planted by passion preachers. I, however, take full responsibility for following that message.

Cal reminded me of my success method of the past. A method I did not name, or put the required weight on, or thought about, it was just done - deliberately. But it sadly was forgotten, droned out by passion evangelists.

Thank you for writing this book. It helped me GREATLY!

Narration never bothers me. I always have a little chuckle when reading reviews on narrators. I'm just glad someone exerted the effort, saving me the time. The background to that statement: I used to buy computer voices to read text for me. Obviously that was before I discovered Audible.

I bought this book despite having read the review cautioning about it if you're over age 30 (Im 40). The book's premise was so compelling that I had to judge it for myself. This book suggests a solution, based on a shift in perspective, to the challenge of finding what path is right for you. Its a discussion between chasing your dreams and what I'll call "working" your dreams. Its a wonderful contrast that attempts to answer the question whether chasing passion or whether dedication to improvement is responsible for career success and fulfillment. This discussion is applicable whether you're just starting out searching for answers or find yourself later in life wanting more out of your choices. Its apparent that a tremendous amount of research, along with examples, had been done by the author and used to articulate his theory, which I appreciated. The premise of this book can be debated endlessly, but for me it was outstanding. The knowledge gained from this book will serve me well. Thanks Cal.

This is exactly the book I needed to listen to. I've felt stuck for more than 10 years because I've been searching for my "calling" or my "life's work", and I've not invested myself into what I WAS doing with my life because I was waiting to discover the passion that lived inside of me before I chose a path in life.

This book explained that I was doing it all wrong and what to do instead. I now realize that diving fully into what I'm doing and becoming really good at it is what will lead to feeling passionate about my career... not waiting for some innate secret wellspring of inspiration to be discovered and then I'll finally "take off". This book really saved me from another 10 years of wasting my life. Highly recommended!

The audiobook was performed really well. I listen to mine at double speed using the Audible app, but I kept having to pause it because the lessons in this book were so incredible that I had to write them down for later. I enjoyed listening to it, and I intend to make this one of the books I listen to every year.

This audio delivers on its title. He argues against following your passion to find the ideal job and instead believes that passion comes after you already become excellent at something.
Very easy to follow and I like how he ties ideas from many other contemporary authors into his work.
I was surprised by how young the author is. Highly recommended for anyone who is planning their career.
A few good summaries of the audio.

I often listen to books in the business/ career genre, and have long been troubled by the fact that I really had no idea how to change the downtime activities I enjoyed into my career. I really don't know how to transition from video games and reading sci-fi/fantasy fiction into a sustainable career, and I wasn't sure if I even wanted to try. This book made me realize that maybe I don't have to.

I felt as though the book was a little slow getting into it, but in the end I am glad that I listened to the full book. I really enjoyed that each point he made was tied to a real person interviewed by the author, it made it easier to implement the information in the book. The book's conclusion, in which the author describes the application of his findings in his own life, gave me a lot of ideas about how to improve my own work.

If you have been told by someone that you won't be happy at work unless you "find your passion" and have been discouraged by such mantras, you will enjoy this book. And you won't continue to feel like an un-passionate weirdo in this passion-oriented culture.

I took a chance buying this since it is a new book with few reviews. It is a refreshing break from the "passion" based literature that is popular now. It teaches what has become uncommon sense these days - you get out of life what you put into it. Its backed by some research and good anecdotes, and gives needed perspective if you start thinking that you have to "find your calling". Few people find it without investing time, effort, an open mind, and patience, first. Saying that, I still find lots of motivating and helpful ideas in the passion based approach, so its not all black and white to me, but still this book adds a refreshing perspective.

While it was refreshing to hear someone saying "follow your passion is too general", the 20 something author lacks life experience to back his claims. This book may be good for someone in high school or college, but if you plan to take charge of your life and choose rebirth in a new chosen field, do not get this book. It's a total let down. He tells you stories of successful people who worked at perfecting themselves since they were teenagers in their chosen line of work. He fails to do the same with the "failures". He mentions a woman who lost everything because she opened up a yoga studio. The woman ventured into a brand new path. Everyone is terrible when they first try something. After years of practice, of course, you become better. He failed to follow her for years and then document her subsequent success or failure. There are many people who reinvented themselves and became great in their chosen path. For example: Julia Child, Martha Stuart, Harrison Ford, Andrea Bocelli, etc.. This author still needs many years of practice and I must say that this book was a big disappointment. This is my summary of this book: read Malcolm Gladwell & Derek Sivers (since a lot of his research comes from them) & start something (anything) when you are a teenager, stick to it, and you will grow to love it. Everything else = failure. Also, take a shot for every time he says" in order words" and whatever you do, don't lose your career collateral!!!!!

I would put in fewer stories! The author tries to follow the Malcolm Gladwell approach of presenting research then a real life example of that research in action, but the implementation of this technique is done poorly and too often.

I loved what Mallow had to say about Steve Martin in this book and I wish he would have dug deeper into that aspect.

I found the premise wonderful, become so good at what you do that you stand out, but a lot of the practical advise was really depressing and uninspiring.

Very well written, I appreciate Cal's analytical perspective and approach to research. This is a must read for anyone looking to find fulfillment at work.