%% date:: [[2021-08-30]], [[2021-06-23]], [[2023-07-02]] parent:: %% # [[Be so good they can't ignore you]] "Be so good they can't ignore you" is a quote from Steve Martin, who famously responded with that when asked for advice on how to become a good comedian. It is also the title of a book by [[Cal Newport]], _So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love_, where Newport talks about why "follow your passion" is ridiculously bad advice, and how we should instead focus on getting good at something before we expect passion in our daily jobs. This ethos is compatible with the [[Open source]] movement, which seeks to compete by excellence rather than by cost. It emphasizes spending more time improving than dragging your competitors down. Many open-source apps make a point of integrating with competitors. ## Conflicting views Kleon points out that "being good" at what you do often isn't enough; you also have to be discoverable. [^kleon] ## Related - [[Being openly disparaging about a competitor may end up hurting you more than it helps.]] - [[Anti-marketing]] - [[The basis of anti-marketing is authenticity]]. [^kleon]: Kleon, A. (2014). _Show your work!: 10 ways to share your creativity and get discovered_. Adams Media. [[Show Your Work!|Highlights]] and [[Show Your Work|literature notes]].