""Nobody ever takes note of [my advice], because it's not the answer they wanted to hear," Martin said. "What they want to hear is ‘Here's how you get an agent, here's how you write a script,' . . . but I always say, ‘Be so good they can't ignore you.' "
- Steve Martin
I've heard this Steve Martin quote before, but I'm late to the game when it comes to Cal Newport's book titled after it.
Newport explains how this quote embodies the true path to having a job you're passionate about.
Moreover, he explains how you need rare and valuable skills in order to afford a career that's meaningful. In other words, you need to learn to do the stuff that others in your field don't want to.
I can't tell you how needed this book was for me. I needed to hear that I'm not blowing my comedy career by having it be my side project. I needed the affirmation that I don't need to quit my job and take away that safety net from my family for art's sake. Also, I needed to hear that I don't need to worry about making a website or learning what SEO means. I just need to buckle down and focus on getting good at my craft and creating value through it.
The courage to leap is not holding me back from being a full time comedian. Just like it's not holding you back from you finding a job that you love. The only courage needed, is the courage it takes to stay on the same path and put in the gut churning effort it takes to become undeniably good.
