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Welcome to Deep Questions, I’m your host. Today we’re talking about Cal Newport’s strategy for escaping mediocrity and getting ahead of 99% of people. Newport argues that most of us fall into the “passion mindset,” chasing what feels good instead of focusing on what we can offer. Instead, he recommends the “craftsman mindset”—“offer be-low market value, then increase your worth,” he says.
That means identifying rare and valuable skills, then committing to deep, uninterrupted work to master them. Newport calls this “skill stacking”—combining complementary abilities so your unique profile stands out. He warns against distraction, urging us to “embrace boredom” and schedule regular stretches of focused effort.
Over time, these small investments in skill building compound. You become someone people can’t ignore because you consistently deliver exceptional value. Newport’s latest book, Slow Productivity, explores how to balance intense focus with real work-life boundaries. If you’re ready to break free from average, shift your perspective: stop asking what the world can do for you, and start asking how you can serve the world with your growing expertise.
Link to Article
Welcome to Deep Questions, I’m your host. Today we’re talking about Cal Newport’s strategy for escaping mediocrity and getting ahead of 99% of people. Newport argues that most of us fall into the “passion mindset,” chasing what feels good instead of focusing on what we can offer. Instead, he recommends the “craftsman mindset”—“offer be-low market value, then increase your worth,” he says.
That means identifying rare and valuable skills, then committing to deep, uninterrupted work to master them. Newport calls this “skill stacking”—combining complementary abilities so your unique profile stands out. He warns against distraction, urging us to “embrace boredom” and schedule regular stretches of focused effort.
Over time, these small investments in skill building compound. You become someone people can’t ignore because you consistently deliver exceptional value. Newport’s latest book, Slow Productivity, explores how to balance intense focus with real work-life boundaries. If you’re ready to break free from average, shift your perspective: stop asking what the world can do for you, and start asking how you can serve the world with your growing expertise.
Link to Article