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

In this book with unique perspective, professor Cal Newport debunks the long-held belief that "follow your passion" is good advice, and sets out to discover the reality of how people end up loving their careers.

A focus on passion over skill can be dangerous, leading to anxiety and chronic job hopping. Spending time with professionals who admit to deriving great satisfaction from their work, Newport uncovers the strategies they use and the pitfalls they avoid in developing their compelling careers.

Cal reveals 4 Rules for falling in love with your job:

#1: Don't follow your passion
#2: Be so good they can't ignore you
#3: Turn down a promotion
#4: Think small, act big

Cal Newport's manifesto is mandatory reading for anyone fretting about what to do with their life, or frustrated by their current job situation. So Good They Can't Ignore You 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.

Outstanding!

Any additional comments?

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.

I am going to quote the crap out of this

I am a member of the college recruiting team at my company, so I go to a college campus once or twice a year for career fairs and interviewing. While there, we usually give one or more presentations on our company and field a lot of questions on how we ended up there, what we like/dislike about the company, and how we use our college majors. Often we'll get the "how did you realize your passion and work toward it" types of questions relating to our careers or college majors. I have always believed the sentiments of this book but this has provided me with much more eloquent arguments to express them. I'm going to get my money's worth out of this one. Prepare thy selves, ye whippersnappers! Highly recommend!

Deeply Impactful

It is unknown just how impactful this book will be on my life. I loved every idea presented. My entire work worldview has changed to match what this book teaches. I could not be happier that I gave it a try. Highly recommended for any working person!

Its a great book!

I think that So good that they cant ignore you stablishes a New of thinking our lives.

Life changing

Just by learning what Cal Newport meant by So Good They Can’t Ignore You, my everyday working life has gotten a bigger meaning for my life. Good things are hard to get, but that’s where the real joy and fulfillment is.