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.