Rule #1. Don't follow your passion : The "passion" of Steve Jobs
Passion is rare
Passion is dangerous
Rule #2. Be so good they can't ignore you (or the importance of skill) : The clarity of the craftsman
The power of career capital
The career capitalists
Becoming a craftsman
Rule #3. Turn down a promotion (or the importance of control : The dream-job elixir
The first control trap
The second control trap
Avoiding the control traps
Rule #4. Think small, act big (or, the importance of mission) : The meaningful life of Pardis Sabeti
Missions require capital
Missions require little bets
Missions require marketing
Conclusion
Glossary
Career profile summaries

In they eye-opening account, Cal New port debunks the long-held belief that "follow your passion" is good advice. After making his case against passion, Newport sets out on a quest to discover the reality of how people end up living what they do. Spending time with organic farmers, venture capitalists, screenwriters, freelance computer programmers, and other who admitted to deriving great satisfaction from their work, Newport uncovers the strategies they used and the pitfalls they avoided in developing their compelling careers. Matching your job to a preexisting passion does not matter, he reveals. Passion comes after you put in the hard work to become excellent at something valuable, not before. This will change the way we think about our careers, happiness, and the crafting of a remarkable life