So Good They Can't Ignore You

[nsarwark]

It's not strictly Mustachian, but Cal Newport's "So Good They Can't Ignore You" is a good book on finding work you love by reversing the standard career advice to "follow your passion."  It turns out that one is better served by developing career skills in the job you have and leveraging those skills into greater control over your career and better opportunities.  Passion then comes as you have greater control and better opportunities.

I wrote a slightly longer book review on my blog.

-Nick
 

[deltaecho]

I really like Cal Newport.  His blog inspired me to study for some hard exams and not give up on my career a few years ago.

[Noodle]

I had often heard Cal Newport's take on work and passion referred to in the forums, and was familiar with his ideas in general, so was interested in reading the book version.

Overall, I found it well worth reading (possibly because I have accidentally been doing a lot that Newport recommends...always nice to be agreed with!)  Although a lot of it is directed at people at the beginning of their careers, I thought the section on deliberate practice was very interesting and worth some thought even for a mid-career person. I would definitely give it to a younger person trying to figure out their work life.

Anyway, I recommend taking a look...it is a quick and easy read. I finished it in a couple of hours.

[Schaefer Light]

I just finished this book, and I've got one question on my mind - can the principles that Newport endorses be applied to a management position?  More to the point, does he feel that managers have "rare and valuable" skills?  And can manager's use "deliberate practice" to improve their skills?

[grantmeaname]

What do you mean by a management position? Are you wondering if hiring, budgeting, setting unit goals are skills you can be good at and improve with practice and study?