Episode 10

10 - Talent is Better Than Passion

10 - Talent is Better Than Passion

I discuss the book “So Good They Can’t Ignore You”. The author, Cal Newport, argues that passion isn’t something you just follow blindly, but it’s a byproduct of acquiring mastery and developing rare and valuable skills.

What does that mean exactly? Well, it means that instead of constantly chasing after your passions, you should focus on becoming so good at what you do that you can’t be ignored. Newport calls this the “craftsman mindset” and it involves honing your skills and working towards self-determination.

But how do you get there? Newport emphasizes the importance of taking little bets and developing a plan to accelerate your skills. By focusing on autonomy, competence, and relatedness in your job, you can achieve success and fulfillment in your career or personal life.

https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2305

https://www.calnewport.com/books/so-good/

https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_the_puzzle_of_motivation/reading-list

Jill’s Links
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps

Twitter startwithsmallsteps

Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

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About the Podcast

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Start with Small Steps
Thoughtful personal growth through small, realistic steps you can use in everyday life.

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About your host

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Jill McKinley

I’m Jill from the Northwoods. Professionally, I work in Health IT, where I untangle complex systems and help people use technology more effectively. But at heart, I’m a curious lifelong learner—always exploring how things work, why people grow the way they do, and how even the smallest steps can spark real transformation. That curiosity fuels everything I do, from problem-solving at work to sharing insights through my creative projects.

My journey wasn’t always easy. Growing up, I faced a rough childhood, and books became my lifeline. They introduced me to voices of ancient wisdom, modern psychology, and the natural world around me. Those pages taught me resilience, gave me perspective, and helped me see that wisdom is everywhere—waiting to be noticed, gathered, and shared.