So Good They Can't Ignore You

Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love

By: Cal Newport

Narrated by: Dave Mallow

Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2012 Cal Newport (P)2012 Hachette Audio

what matters when making career decisions

This book showed what matters when making career decisions. Things such as financial backing, skills and knowledge, networking and exposure of your ideas, etc... What really matters besides your general passion....

practical advice

loved it! a book I will definitely go back to. provided great examples that you can instantly apply to your own career

Amazing must read

Absolutely a fantastic book must read! It really should be read by every young person to older adult!

Good ideas. Still a little frustrating.

I get it. "Follow your passion" is bad advice. Pick a track early, and practice. Wish I was hearing this at 18 rather than 35.

So good for you, Cal Newport, Derek Sivers, and everybody else mentioned herein, with your Midas touch and autonomy and success and fulfillment. GOOD FOR YOU.

Any ideas for somebody who is ten years into their career? I'll be sure to pick a career when I'm 15 years old in the next life. Thanks.

A worthy read

Excellent material. He does repeat concepts a lot to drive them home, but overall I am very satisfied.

brings a new perspective to career success

Newport discusses why "following your passion" is a bad career move, and explains a better way by building rare and valuable skills and then using that to find the job of your dreams

A must for anyone who wants to be of service

A must for anyone who wants to be of service to others while becoming a master of their craft.

succinctly put principles of a successful life

beautifully written book, seems like author has put a lot of effort in thinking, to figure out shortcut to find patterns in any successful venture, then put them in words. one of those books that I will reread, and put on monthly reading list for next 6 months,.

Great advice for any career!

As I was listening I not only thought about my own career but other people close to me as well. How it could apply to them or help in some way.

Life changing

Very well written.
Captivating. Not dry at all.
Impactful if implemented.
If you’re on the fence let this be the review to make you get it. Well worth it.