In the Week 4 lectorial, the key question asked was ‘How do we become Media Practitioners?’
Cal Newports video we viewed describes the 3 step process on ‘How do people end up loving what they do for a living?’ :
- DO NOT FOLLOW YOUR PASSION
- BE SO GOOD THEY CAN’T IGNORE YOU
- GO DEEP
Through analysing Steve Jobs as a case study, Newport displays that Jobs only stumbled upon APPLE. The successful computer software company he entrepreneurs wasn’t at first seen as his lifelong career but a lucky accident. Newport declares that Jobs ‘built up a rare and valuable skill and used it as a leverage’. Through a Deep Work ethic, Jobs was able to hone his skills and succeed. This passion for Apple that he evokes, was not through having a need/ passion to become an entrepreneur or in technology but was a side effect due to his work ethic and success.
Therefore Newport thoroughly believes that the art of focusing is crucial for improvement and cultivation. Once an opportunity arises, strive to become obsessive in building skills to shape your career choice in order to succeed in your work lifestyle.
Another important quote to remember in reference to Newport’s idea; ‘Genius is 1% Inspiration and 99% Perspiration’ – Thomas Edison
In the lectorial we also covered upcoming important events such as the census date, project brief 2 due date and also discussed how to do well in assignments yet reiterating that you are not your final grade but what media content u can produce.
Therefore today not only did I learn key events in my university calendar and subtle inspo on assignments but I learnt about the need for Deep Work and that handwork guarantees success, passion is a mere side effect.
Nakita xx