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  • So Good They Can't Ignore You

  • By: Cal Newport
  • Narrated by: Dave Mallow
  • Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (804 ratings)

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So Good They Can't Ignore You

By: Cal Newport
Narrated by: Dave Mallow
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Summary

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 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 audiobook.

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 this advice Pollyannaish 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 and where you have built up your 'career capital' and then to put all of your efforts in that direction.

©2012 Calvin C. Newport (P)2016 Hachette Audio UK

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

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Detailed roadmap to a meaningful successful career

It starts by dispelling feel-good myths about passion, and substitutes those myths with more nuanced decision making "career rules". Very well written, clear and clever.

On the weaker side: Advice is based on the experiences of the author and his interviewees, so evidence is anecdotal.
I didn't like the term "career capital", because its definition is simply "valuable skills". This change of words doesn't add clarity, but hints at inaccurate implications.

Overall, fantastic book!

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A Perfect Reminder of How Success is Achieved

This book is for anyone who has the desire to be highly successful and recognized for their success. Do what you do well and people cannot fail to recognize the work ethic that is required to operate at the level of success you create.

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Clear and powerful

Straightforward and actionable. The best book on the topic by some margin. Gives a solid roadmap applicable to any career.

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Don't listen to the sample

This book is well thought out and very helpful in its message. The sample didn't do the book justice at all

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takedown of the popular "passion hypothesis"

Would you consider the audio edition of So Good They Can't Ignore You to be better than the print version?

must read especially for people leading lives of quiet desperation & actively aware of it.

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Compelling

The book makes a compelling argument for its way of approaching a fulfilling career. Some may find it lengthy towards the end, but for me it was useful to hammer in the point and leave me with a clear view of the books message

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It gives a good overview and disciplines

the stories are good and interesting, but sometimes repeated the same content with other words, which is not always entertaining

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Its a good read

Excellent advice on career planning and methodical approach for both beginners as well as for those who want to make a major move.

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Must read book for loving your work

love it. A sensible and scientific approach to loving your career and transforming it into a mission.

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Drags on but worth sticking with till the end

Probaby what most professionals should hear when they're at a dead end. Accumulate career capital! So you are free dictate your terms. Read Deep work, which will help with accumulating said capital in a methodical way.

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