So good they can't ignore you

🐾 Skills trump passion; Attitude trumps existing skill level

This is a book written by Cal Newport.

I had some shallow expectations on what contents it might cover.

After getting through it, i like the positive gist from a very wise person. Cal emphasizes craftsmanship, instead of ‘passion’ which could be a bit empty and misleading.

I used to think and had believed for quite a while that my passion for supply chain was ‘natural born’ and came before my input to it.

Yet I do agree, after reading the book, it could be well the opposite. Passion is a side product along the journey.

By emphasizing the craftsman mindset, Cal made constructing our own career and life around it possible, actually better grounded.

The book advises us to hone in on a (or multi) skill(s) through deliberate practice to accumulate career capital.

Career capital is the fundamental resource for us to have the freedom to construct our careers, to turn jobs into career then a mission.

Develop ourselves (our business too?) to be someone who cannot be ignored. This requires patience and grit to put in long years of effort.

This is a very nice book for young people, who hope to identify their motivations and long-term career directions.

The book is quite in line with the great saying:

🪴 Everyone has their own superpower, just need to find it.

(more, to practice to make it visible).

Read an article about what types of people are suitable for joining startup businesses. While different types of startups and different types of roles could have their own specific requirements.

Standing from the opposite position, i'd generally favour people who could settle down, willing to put in the effort to seek excellence on the role with an open mind and as a team player.

One point from the book made me laugh:

🧨 Missions require marketing.

Great one! 😅🤓

P.S. The photo is credited to its creator (i don’t know who, but thank you!)