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 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

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.

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.

Such a great read!!

I really enjoyed the concepts of this book. it was a refreshing take on career advice in this instant gratification, fast paced, passion focused culture we currently live in. The advice given was practical and I believe everyone can take something aways from it.

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.

Light on content but a good message

The amount of content here is more appropriate for an article than a book but the message is good. Because the actual content is so thin there is A LOT of repetition in this book. Maybe that works for some people to beat the message into their brain but I found it tedious.

Basically, I'd summarize this book as:
There are no shortcuts or quick paths to a happy, fulfilled life. It involves a lot of boring and monotonous work so stop fantasizing and get to work.

Overall I'm glad I listened to it and I think it's message is a good one to consider.

A must ready for new grads

It totally reshaped how I view and approach work.
There is great value in this book specially if you are young and entering the corporate world.

Useful advice, memorable stories, well presented

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

- Good, interesting, fulfilling type of work is rare and requires skills/experiences (Career Capital) which is equally rare.
- Control is the elixir of job satisfaction
- Leverage your Career Capital to gain more control

Any additional comments?

"what should I do with my life?"
"why do some people keep progressing in their careers while others stagnate?"
"which characteristics make certain jobs more enjoyable than others?"

This book gives you a framework for answering these type of questions.

A Must if you are searching your passion

What did you love best about So Good They Can't Ignore You?

Most of us don't or didn't have a passion, now this book make it clear; don't waste time searching for your passion, instead become good at something the things that are the easiest for you. Your passion will become " to be good and to do good". I lived this way and I had a great life, full of adventure and accomplishment that give me a great satisfaction.

What did you like best about this story?

Very well documented with many life experiences. I had in mind the content of this book, before I read it, the elaborate approach of Cal Newport make it clear.

Have you listened to any of Dave Mallow’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

What insight do you think you’ll apply from So Good They Can't Ignore You?

I will apply it with anybody for the young generation that is 'searching for a passion".