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So Good They Can't Ignore You: Summary

Everything you need to know about Cal Newport's So Good They Can't Ignore You, in 1 paragraph.
An illustration of a reader enjoying So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport in a cosy interior
A reader enjoying So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport
In So Good They Can't Ignore You, Cal Newport argues that the old saying ‘follow your passion’ is misguided and instead encourages readers to develop their skill set and expertise in order to build a meaningful and fulfilling career. He points out that passion often follows from quality work, rather than the other way around, and that if you focus on acquiring skills and doing excellent work, opportunities will arise for you to turn your job into a vocation.

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So Good They Can't Ignore You: Key Points

  1. Focus on developing your skills, not finding your passion. Instead of trying to find a “dream job” or a “perfect fit”, focus on becoming good at something through hard work and practice.
  2. Passion comes from mastery. By becoming an expert in something, you will naturally be more passionate about it and enjoy it more.
  3. Build career capital. Develop your skills, network, and build a reputation in your field so that you can get better opportunities and command higher salaries.
  4. Control your career. Take charge of your career by strategically planning out what you want to do and how you want to do it instead of relying on luck or someone else’s advice.
  5. Embrace reality instead of fantasy. Don’t chase after unrealistic dreams; focus on building up realistic skills that can help you make progress towards your goals.
  6. Have an ambitious mission. Find a larger purpose for your work that inspires you and gives you a sense of purpose and direction for your career.

What to say about So Good They Can't Ignore You

  • "So Good They Can't Ignore You" was an eye-opening read that highlighted the importance of developing a meaningful career trajectory.
  • This book offered valuable advice on how to craft a career that is both personally fulfilling and professionally rewarding.
  • Cal Newport's insights into the power of focusing on what you can offer in terms of your skillset, rather than simply chasing after money or prestige, were particularly illuminating.
  • I found it especially interesting how Newport described how long-term satisfaction comes from cultivating a compelling narrative about one's career journey.
  • I appreciated the author's emphasis on the importance of developing genuine expertise as opposed to settling for a superficial understanding of any given field.
  • One of the key takeaways from reading this book was that we should focus more on building our unique strengths, rather than trying to compete with others in areas where we lack a clear advantage.
  • The concepts discussed in this book gave me a better understanding of how to pursue meaningful work and find true success over the course of my career.
  • This book was an inspiring reminder that there are no shortcuts when it comes to achieving professional excellence; instead, we must be willing to put in the hard work necessary for success over time.
  • An important lesson I learned from So Good They Can't Ignore You is that success comes from having a clear vision and relentlessly pursuing it over time - something that often requires us to step outside our comfort zones and take risks along the way.
  • Reading this book helped me gain a deeper appreciation for the value of being passionate about one's work and taking ownership of one's professional development journey - something that I think is essential for anyone looking to find true fulfillment in their lives and careers.

What to post on LinkedIn or Twitter about So Good They Can't Ignore You

  • Just finished reading 'So Good They Can't Ignore You' by Cal Newport - a must-read for anyone looking to make a change in their career and find true passion in their work! #careerdevelopment
  • A great reminder from 'So Good They Can't Ignore You' by Cal Newport: do the work that's most meaningful and important to you, not what's popular or trendy. #passiondriven
  • Picked up some helpful tips from 'So Good They Can't Ignore You' by Cal Newport on how to build Career Capital, a good strategy for long-term career success. #careersuccess
  • Learned some valuable lessons about finding your dream job from 'So Good They Can't Ignore You' by Cal Newport. Don't settle for anything less than what you truly want out of your career! #dreamjob
  • An inspiring read - 'So Good They Can't Ignore You' by Cal Newport is full of advice to help you discover your true calling and build the career of your dreams! #calling #careergoals

Top 5 Quotes from So Good They Can't Ignore You

  1. "Career capital is the currency of the new economy."
  2. "Focus your energy on becoming so good they can’t ignore you."
  3. "The key to developing rare and valuable skills is to develop your craft, not your career."
  4. "If you don’t create ‘career capital,’ you won’t have many options for advancement in the New Economy."
  5. "The craftsman mindset is focused on what value you can create for others, rather than what value they can give you."

Other books by Cal Newport

  • Deep Work
  • Digital Minimalism
  • A World Without Email
  • Study Hacks
  • How to Win at College

Did you know?

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The book has been featured in the Time Magazine, Forbes Magazine, and on National Public Radio.