 | So Good They Can’t Ignore You – Cal Newport Following your passion can be dangerous advice as the proverbial grass is always greener in other areas. The potential of a big career change is so appealing because you only see the fantasy view of the positives. Instead of lusting after finding the perfect career, you can focus on building the perfect career within the one you already have. When you become a craftsman in your trade, your performance will stand out and you can shape your job around your own desires. I also love the title. Career progression can sometimes feel arbitrary and out of your control. Being so good you cannot be ignored is completely within your control. | |
 | Range – David Epstein Early specialization or specialization in general may not be all that it is cracked up to be. In a “wicked” (dynamic) world, a breadth of experience leads to better performance and more innovation. Use the power of analogy to leverage all the experiences to find novel ideas in your work. | |
 | Blue Ocean Strategy – Kim / Mauborgne This is a book about business strategy, but it applies just as well to career development. Do you want to slog it out fighting to advance against your competition or define your own unique value where there isn’t yet anyone to compete against you. | |
 | Love and Work – Markus Buckingham Find you “Red Threads”, the work you love, and find ways to do more of that. Create a role for yourself that maximizes your loves and minimizes your loathes. | |
 | Do More Great Work – Michael Bungay Stanier There is Bad work, Good Work, and Great work. How do you do less bad work and more great work? I love the topic. This book is mostly worksheets and activities, which I don’t love. | |
 | Mindset – Carol Dweck Everything in modern work and education is based on the concept of Growth Mindset, you should know where that concept came from. Become a Learn-it-all. | |
 | The Good Enough Job – Simone Stolzoff Examine how your personal identity is tied to what you do for work. The right perspective on work’s role in your life will make the work more fulfilling as a part, not the whole of your identity. A more balanced and broad life will often translate into better performance in your work. | |
 | Average is Over – Tyler Cowen Are you going to be able to compete in the modern digital economy and up as a high earner taking advantage of efficiency tools. Or not. This was written way before ChatGPT but is even more relevant with the recent rise of AI. |