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malikasbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Debunks the passion hypothesis: Working right trumps finding the right work. Instead, followed the career capital theory. The traits that define great work are rare and valuable, so you must first build up rare and valuable skills (career capital) to offer in return. Work hard through deliberate practice (stretch past comfort).
Traits that define great work are competence, creativity, impact, control and mission. There are two control traps: The first is you can’t sustainably gain more control without enough capital to back it up. The second is that even when you have enough capital to cash in to negotiate for more control, you will meet resistance. To navigate this use the law of financial viability: Will people pay you for this change? If not, shelve the idea.
Mission defines compelling careers. To find a good mission: Work hard to get to the cutting edge, then look in the adjacent possible (region just beyond the current cutting edge) for a new direction. Then try little bets: Small tasks or attempts that are easy (1 month or less) and low-risk and offer immediate feedback. Follow the law of remarkability: An idea should compel people to remark about it, and be launched in a venue conducive to such remarking.
Traits that define great work are competence, creativity, impact, control and mission. There are two control traps: The first is you can’t sustainably gain more control without enough capital to back it up. The second is that even when you have enough capital to cash in to negotiate for more control, you will meet resistance. To navigate this use the law of financial viability: Will people pay you for this change? If not, shelve the idea.
Mission defines compelling careers. To find a good mission: Work hard to get to the cutting edge, then look in the adjacent possible (region just beyond the current cutting edge) for a new direction. Then try little bets: Small tasks or attempts that are easy (1 month or less) and low-risk and offer immediate feedback. Follow the law of remarkability: An idea should compel people to remark about it, and be launched in a venue conducive to such remarking.
shanaenae's review against another edition
2.0
If you’re not a college student or fresh graduate, this book isn’t probably the best for you.
As an unemployed recent grad (going through the typical quarter life crisis), this book definitely had some interesting points.
I’m giving it a solid 2-stars because it was…fine. The writing was well-done, the research and profiles used were interesting, and I took note of some helpful insights. But it wasn’t life-changing (which most self-help/development books aren’t, however), and it didn’t motivate me to necessarily change my current job search efforts or career plans.
I won’t give any “spoilers” (not that there’s anything that mind blowing or unprecedented about the book’s contents), but it was a good reminder to focus on your personal experiences and skills—and growing those—rather than always going head-first with your heart and passions. The first two parts of the book were a bore, and I did disagree with many points, but the third part gave some good advice about building your career capital. Overall an OK read.
As an unemployed recent grad (going through the typical quarter life crisis), this book definitely had some interesting points.
I’m giving it a solid 2-stars because it was…fine. The writing was well-done, the research and profiles used were interesting, and I took note of some helpful insights. But it wasn’t life-changing (which most self-help/development books aren’t, however), and it didn’t motivate me to necessarily change my current job search efforts or career plans.
I won’t give any “spoilers” (not that there’s anything that mind blowing or unprecedented about the book’s contents), but it was a good reminder to focus on your personal experiences and skills—and growing those—rather than always going head-first with your heart and passions. The first two parts of the book were a bore, and I did disagree with many points, but the third part gave some good advice about building your career capital. Overall an OK read.