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

Book review by Deane Barker tags: productivity
An image of the cover of the book "So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love"

Absolutely brilliant book that anyone in their 20s or who is just starting out their career should read.

It lays waste to the idea that we need to “pursue our passion,” and instead promotes the idea that we need to ravenously acquire skill and either (1) find passion through the expression of that skill, or (2) use the “career capital” we gain through having that skill to then springboard into something more meaningful.

This book is a slap in the face to the entitlement mentality that expects your career to give you fulfillment. Instead, we should approach our careers with a service mentality – ask ourselves what value we can provide the world (not the other way around, as is common), and use the answer to that question to guide us into meaningful work.

I loved, loved, loved this book. Every college student on Earth should read it.

Book Info

Author
Cal Newport
Year
Pages
288
Acquired
  • I have read this book. According to my records, I completed it on .
  • I own an electronic copy of this book.
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