You can pretty much do it all if you want.
I am afflicted with generalis curiosis. In plain speak, I insatiable curiosity. Which begets many different interests. These interests flare up from time to time and then go back to a slow simmer. But squelched? Never. Even as I sought spend the required 10,000 hours to hone my craft. The one thing for which I choose to be great. But which one thing? That's been the conundrum.
You can do it all. You can't do it all.
Malcolm Gladwell popularized the notion of 10,000 hours to mastery. With that path, you simply couldn't be good at too many disparate things. I bought into that notion. And have also talked about going an inch wide and a mile deep. Specialization is a great differentiator. Except when it isn't. I've embraced specialization as much as I've pushed back against it.
Even with photography, a nearly life-long pursuit, I don't have one distinct style. One look at my Instagram and you'll see gritty suburbia mixed with objects coated with sprinkles. About as different as you can get.
There are many art interests I've not had time to pursue. Like mixed media collage and painting. Although I dabbled a few years ago. I've got a few Evernotes filled with image ideas.
It's not just art, either. It transfers to the work I do everyday building brands. To design. To writing. To home renovation. I even tried to flip houses once using those skills. Alas, couldn't get an offer accepted in a hot market.
Yet all of these pursuits cross pollinate. They add color and texture to who I am. The constant is an expectation of quality with a dash of quirk.
I share this because I ultimately believe that being a Jack of all Trades isn't a bad thing. It's kind of worked. They make me suited to creating multiple income streams. Even if I'm getting a later start on that than I'd like.
In fact it's good. Keeps you interested. And therefore interesting. Leonardo DaVinci was a jack of all trades. Or more eloquently, a polymath. Besides his painting, he invented the helicopter, armoured car, robotic knight (yes before what we know today as robots) and scuba gear. He created art AND invented war machinery. He was a painter, draughtsman, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor and architect.
Now that's diverse.
There are a few ways to approach being a generalist. First and foremost, you need to know what you stand for. Starting and quitting many things without anything to show for it misses the mark. The value is in how you package and link the things you do together.
From a work perspective, it's a great way to diversify your revenue sources. Especially if what you do feeds different categories that are not all impacted by the same market pendulum. Or maybe it's a stack of skills that are needed at various stages of a product lifecycle.
Buyers and employers, though, struggle with wrapping their head around someone who's good at a lot of things. When you look at resume with a list of skills from A to Z you get the impression that this person can't be good at all of this stuff. And you are hard pressed to know what exactly they ARE good at.
It's good to have multiple interests and capabilities. Diversification isn't a bad thing in an uncertain world. But you still need to package up your skills into a brand that resonates with those you seek to serve. In short, you need to be known for something.
You can't do it all. You can't be all things to all people.
What about me and my many interests? I could say I'm a designer, creative director, marketer, director, team builder, brand strategist, business strategist, photographer, journalist, home remodeler, landscape designer, and concrete artisan. Many of these skills are interrelated making them easy to link. Others, not so much. Yet such a laundry list is hardly memorable or inspiring.
Five years ago I took the "Fascinate" Test. This is a test designed to show you how the world sees you. Essentially flipping around how most personality tests work.
There are eight archetypes and my primary archetype is Mystique, My secondary is Innovation.
Based on those who've taken this test as of then, the 8 archetypes and percent of each are:
- Mystique - 18%
- Innovation - 13%
- Alert - 8%
- Power - 13%
- Trust - 13%
- Prestige - 16%
- Passion - 19%
Personality tests are often generic. Done with a large group there's going to be a lot of overlap, I know. I did find this test fairly spot on. I also did this with a prior team and most seemed to feel their's reflected who they were. We saw the similarities. And it still highlighted how you need to take the results and make it your own. It still requires interpretation. Check out this guide to reading these different personalities
Here's a glimpse from my report:
"You combine analytical and creative skills.
• You observe new situations and you are able to assess quickly what needs to change.
• Unhindered by traditional ways of working, you come up with your own ideas of how things can be done differently.
• You communicate without fuss. You provide rational arguments for your ideas.
WHAT IS NOT THE “HIGHEST AND BEST VALUE” OF THE SECRET WEAPON?
• While you rarely have a flashy personality, you have a sharp mind and keen observations.
• You do like to meet new people and encounter new situations, but often don’t enjoy overtly drawing attention to yourself, as Rockstars or Talents might.
• You are the quiet star of your team who outshines most others with your creativity and intelligence.”
Five adjectives that describe one who's a Mystique:
- nimble
- unassuming
- independent
- reticent
- autonomously creative
Famous people who are also Mystiques:
- Tina Fey
- Johnny Depp
- Malcolm Gladwell
- Stephen Hawking
- Michael Crichton
Based on what you know about them, does it fit?
Such tests can help you find the words to describe who you are and what you do. It can help you set yourself apart. Even as a jack of all trades. My words? Nimble problem solver.
I bet for most of you there's a thread running through your interests. Something that makes you you. These activities, while separate, have something in common. Maybe it's about solving problems. Putting the pieces together. Or maybe it's building physically and virtually. Whatever it is, that's what you need to uncover in order to find your jam.
Having multiple interests, directed well, is a good path towards diversifying your work and thereby your risks. It's insurance against gyrations in the market. Some say you gotta go all in to be successful. Entrepreneurs often do. Often they fail. Then get up again and rebuild because they have the gene. They know that if they fail they have the skills to rebound. Others say it's easier to take risks if you know there's a steady flow of money coming in. I'd say that's true for me. Depends on what you're made of. Either way is right. Just don't try to be someone or something you're not.