Biggest takeaway: So Good They Can't Ignore You

Although pre-pandemic was an age ago, I did actually read Cal Newport's So Good They Can't Ignore You in 2020.

When I was a kid, I was fed the line: "find what you love to do, and you'll never work another day."

Newport calls this the “passion hypothesis” - i.e. we all have a pre-existing passion and, if we find the job that matches it, we’ll be self-actualized and love our work.

I grew up believing this to be gospel.

And so, when I haven't loved what I've done (and I don't know too many lawyers who do), I've felt inadequate, short-changed, and angry.

Newport has some strong thoughts on the matter:

The passion hypothesis is not just wrong, it’s also dangerous. Telling someone to ‘follow' their passion’ is not just an act of innocent optimism, but potentially the foundation for a career riddled with confusion and angst.’ (his emphasis)

Well, that lands a bit too close to home. 😳

Instead he says that passion follows your skills. Develop your skills and you'll build a passion you'd be happy to follow.

It's refreshing advice. So, if you haven't discovered your passion, maybe it's time to give up.

And instead, just become so good they can't ignore you. 😊

So - what skill do you want to get so good at that they can’t ignore you?

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