Two reasons in particular drew me to Cal Newport’s book, So Good They Can’t Ignore You:
1. His more recent book, Deep Work, was one of my 3 favorite books read in 2016. (FYI, I read a lot of books.) I had the privilege of hearing Newport speak at a coaching conference that spring and was impressed with his knowledge, ethic, and sense of story.
2. I knew the title of this book came from a line by Steve Martin, one of my all-time favorite actors (not to mention, banjo players). I figured any book inspired by the incomparable Martin had to be pretty amazing!
I was not disappointed.
I was, however, challenged, and in a way that I have been challenged for the past 18 months. I’ll get back to that in a moment.
The Overarching Premise
Newport makes his thesis clear before his book even hits page 1. “The conventional wisdom – follow your passion – is seriously flawed,” he writes in the introduction. “It not only fails to describe how most people actually end up with compelling careers,” he goes on to say, “but for many people it can actually make things worse: leading to chronic job shifting and unrelenting angst when…one’s reality inevitably falls short of the dream.”
What? Aren’t we supposed to do what we love?
Not according to Newport. But fortunately he doesn’t just tell us what not to do; he offers an alternate plan of action, too. A couple of his suggestions:
Be so good they can’t ignore you. In an interview, Charlie Rose asked Steve Martin his advice for aspiring performers, to which Martin replied:
What they want to hear is ‘Here’s how you get an agent, here’s how you write a script’…but I always say, ‘Be so good they can’t ignore you.’
And how might we go about doing that?
Develop your skills to mastery level. Shift your mindset to one of a skilled craftsperson. Don’t just practice, but engage in deliberate practice – the type of practice that stretches your skills and requires focus, concentration, and intentional effort.
That last part is significant: Many of us mostly practice what we already know because competence feels nice. From psychologists like Anders Ericsson, however, we’ve learned that mere practice isn’t enough to reach a level of mastery. We must practice deliberately, challenging ourselves and continuously stretching beyond what we know, which is often unpleasant and unenjoyable but massively skill-building.
Establish a sense of control. Autonomy goes a long way toward professional development and career joy. “Giving people more control over what they do and how they do it,” writes Newport based on his research, “increases their happiness, engagement, and sense of fulfillment.”
If you’re an employee, ask yourself where you have control in your profession. (Side note: “Nowhere” is an unacceptable answer. If nothing else, you always have control over your attitude, effort, and personal growth.)
“Think Small, Act Big.” This still has me spinning a bit. Perhaps since some of my frequently-used hashtags on Instagram and Twitter are #dreambig #startsmall!
But the story Newport offers in this section, about a Harvard biology professor named Pardis Sabeti, is perhaps my favorite in the entire book. She is an incredible example of someone who connects her work to a greater purpose, and she is changing lives – and the world – as a result. “Her happiness comes from the fact that she built her career on a clear and compelling mission,” writes Newport, “something that not only gives meaning to her work but provides the energy needed to embrace life beyond the lab.” She is a biologist, teacher, guitar player, volleyball player, and more. Her mission brings purpose to her days and energy to her life in a way no supplement could, and it allows her to work with enthusiasm and joy in a very demanding, often high-stakes position.
Accepting The Challenge
Newport, as well as my own research and book writing in the past 18 months, has challenged one of the foundations on which I built my business nearly 15 years ago – something I’ll share more about at Spark. His theories are valid, based in sound research, and explored through wonderful stories of musicians, athletes, business leaders, farmers, and everyone in between. So Good was both enlightening and entertaining to read.
So how might you apply some of these learnings to your own work and life? My favorite part of the book (aside from the stories, like Pardis Sabeti) is, interestingly, the conclusion: Here, Newport takes what he learned through his research and applies it to his own experience. While still a work in progress – as we all are – making shifts in his daily actions, focus, and mindset have impacted his life experience in very insightful ways.
Now it’s your turn: How can you bring more meaning and growth into your own work experience? How might you become so good they can’t ignore you? Share your ideas below or on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! And to create a full action plan around your core values and meaningful work, be sure to join us for Spark – limited seats left!