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

Newport, Cal

ISBN 10: 1455509124 / ISBN 13: 9781455509126

Published by Grand Central Publishing, 2012

About this Item

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Publication Date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1455509124
• ISBN 13: 9781455509126
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

Cal Newport's clearly-written manifesto flies in the face of conventional wisdom by suggesting that it should be a person's talent and skill -- and not necessarily their passion -- that determines their career path. Newport, who graduated from Dartmouth College (Phi Beta Kappa) and recently earned a PhD. from MIT, contends that trying to find what drives us, instead of focusing on areas in which we naturally excel, is ultimately harmful and frustrating to job seekers. The title is a direct quote from comedian Steve Martin who, when once asked why he was successful in his career, immediately replied: "Be so good they can't ignore you" and that's the main basis for Newport's book. Skill and ability trump passion. Inspired by former Apple CEO Steve Jobs' famous Stanford University commencement speech in which Jobs urges idealistic grads to chase their dreams, Newport takes issue with that advice, claiming that not only is thsi advice Pollyannish, but that Jobs himself never followed his own advice. From there, Newport presents compelling scientific and contemporary case study evidence that the key to one's career success is to find out what you do well, where you have built up your "career capital," and then to put all of your efforts into that direction.

About the Author

Cal Newport's background is in computer engineering, and is currently on the faculty at Geogetown. He runs the popular advice blog, Study Hacks, and has a tremendous presence and following online.