194 Skill Trumps Passion

Once in a while you come across a concept that really changes the way you think and approach things.  This is true of Cal Newport’s book, So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love.   Basic concept: Passion follows mastery.    Coaches love things like “passion.”  Maybe too much.  We’re not saying passion doesn’t matter; we’re just saying that sitting around waiting for passion is a poor strategy.  Try things and see what stirs your interest. Let the interest develop into skill, and then mastery will unlock passion.     Usefulness in coaching: ·      When a client is trying to “discover” passion. ·      Career coaching. ·      When faced with a challenge that’s a bit too much, passion is lacking.