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Thinking about Craftsman and Passion MindsetsPoured1connected(Jump)
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Thinking about Craftsman and Passion Mindsets

In “So Good They Can’t Ignore You”, Cal Newport spends time debunking the common advice that you should ‘follow your passion’. Cal claims that this is bad advice, and I am inclined to agree. Cal offers an alternative way of thinking, something he calls the craftsman mindset, where you focus on being “so good they can’t ignore you”—terminology he borrows from Steve Martin, the prolific comedian.

I actually think a lot of the advice is pretty good. It is a mindset shift away from thinking about what the world can offer you, and toward what you can offer the world. I think Cal makes some great arguments, but if someone picked up his book and read just this part, they might make something that the world doesn’t actually want! Just like in product realization, it is important to start small and iterate based on feedback. Coming from a product development background, I wanted to share a few strategies which might be helpful for those pursuing the craftsman mindset but are nervous about going in the wrong direction:

  • Decide who your customers are: While you are crafting your future, you do need to consider that the skills you develop need to be marketable and meet the needs of others. Decide who you are crafting for, and keep them in mind as you move ahead. Understanding their needs can ensure your efforts are aligned with what is wanted, not just what you assume is needed. Seek feedback as you go to ensure you track the desired course.
  • Incremental Improvements: Focus on small, incremental improvements rather than attempting to perfect an entire skill or produce the final product overnight. This approach allows for easier adaptation and course correction if the initial direction isn’t quite right.
  • Prototyping: Create prototypes or examples of your work to test concepts before over committing. Keep it simple at first because it can be hard to walk back an idea that looks fully baked but that is raw on the inside.

The craftsman mindset offers an empowering alternative to the conventional advice of following your passion. By concentrating on developing skills that make you invaluable to others and forging a path that centers on contribution, you become equipped to navigate the complexities of today’s world—building resiliency and career capitol. This mindset encourages continuous learning, adaptability, and the ability to absorb constructive feedback, which is essential for personal and professional growth. It is this growth that leads to opportunities.

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