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Jack of all trades, master of none, though oft times better than master of one!
After hearing the "...master of none" retort from unctous specialists far too often it is refreshing to hear you champion the cause of jacks of all trades.
Here is one retention tip, a variant of the 80/20 principle, that works well when having to consume large pieces of information:
Take any string of information; a set of numbers; a lecture; a book; a skill; and invariably one finds that the average person retains the first and last pieces of information most.
Try it on 3 friends:
Read off the following string of numbers quickly and ask the listener to repeat back as many numbers as he or she remembers hearing: 79683841762438173 (obviously, any long string will do).
The vast majority of people are most likely to remember the first three digits and the last three digits, forgetting most of the ones in between.
Simple solution: Break any string of new information into many smaller bits to maximize "beginnings" and "endings."
Great words, great advice !!
I enjoy your blog and as an"old guy" it's never too late to learn. Great post and the quote:
"Be too complex to categorize"
resonates.
PS While it's difficult for a senior Naval officer to work only 4 hours a week, I sure have been able to incorporate many of your techniques and recommendations into my life. Thanks.
You're absolutely right that it's the generalists who run the show. A memorable quote from the "Millionaire Mind" says that the reason incredibly smart and highly talented people often stay relatively unsuccessful is that they "know more and more about less and less." It's one of those things I'm trying to come to terms with: getting amazingly good at one thing won't guarantee me outstanding success or fulfillment.
I can hang a shelf, write a set of standard operating procedures, re-arrange your childrens' toys, build a peg board from scratch, manage your household hazardous waste and recycling and translate it all from English to French and back again.
I don't think ONE DARN THING I learned about this business came from sitting on my behind in a lecture theatre. The only thing that my M.Sc. taught me was that I was perfectly capable of learning what I wanted to learn and from whom to learn it. Which I am sure that I could have figured out without spending $$$$ and many, many months.
This is of course separate from the individual choice each person should make with regards to financial return on investment, and I realize many people have college experiences drastically different than mine. :)
To the commenters who have come before me, though... I completely disagree with the notion that higher learning is a waste of time. Not everyone needs a PhD., or even a degree, but well-rounded learning that actually makes you think, exposes you to ideas you wouldn't be exposed to, and ways of looking at the world are never a waste of time. The list of things that I actually learned in university is fairly short (but includes the social history of the dildo) but it was that experience that broadened my horizons and ability to learn so that I could master things on my own.
I'd love to hear Tim's thoughts on the role of higher education.
"A teenage lawyer/budding author, however, wouldn't surprise John Taylor Gatto, an outspoken critic of compulsory education laws and a former New York State Teacher of the Year. Writing in Harper's Magazine, Gatto forthrightly argued that 'genius is as common as dirt.'"
http://www.mises.org/story/2682
Ryan - I agree that it is not a waste of time, but I do believe that it is a waste of money becuase it such learning can happen without spending thousands of dollars.
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
-Robert A. Heinlein
No matter how much I've wanted to become an 'expert' in any number of fields, I still find myself jumping into different projects and coming away with knowing a little something about a lot of things.
This certainly makes for a rich life . . . .
I was exposed to SO much while at university that I would not have been exposed to otherwise (and for that, I will always be grateful). However, I certainly learned as much from staying sober on the weekends as I did from advanced calculus and I definitely REMEMBER my weekends which is more than I can say of advanced calculus :)
I really enjoyed your book, and I applaud your enthusiasm for living life. But what's up with:
"Based on my experience and research, it is possible to become world-class in almost any skill within one year.[?]"
Is there a special definition of "world-class" I'm missing out on?
Although I agree with your premise that generalists get a bad rap these days, making a statement like that is just as bad, because it is an insult to people who truly are at a world-class level in their discipline. Take any pro athlete for example: Not one of them got to their level of play in just one year--not only that--but not all *pro* athletes are even considered "world-class."
By the way, I do agree with you that a world-class talent can still be a generalist. However, it's exceedingly rare to find someone at the very *top* of more than one discipline. More commonly you find a top-performer in one field who happens to be "pretty darn good" in another field--competent--but not "world-class."
Not trying to start a flame war, but some clarification would be appreciated. Thanks, and keep up the interesting posts.
And Tim - you hit the nail on the head and have caused a lot of my stagnant brain juice to stir around up in that unused area.
I get discouraged when people classify me because of my degree or 'job' ... if I am an engineer I can't be creative - if I am a great salesman I can't be good at technology - if I am a good inventor then I can't be very good with 'people skills - ... and the list goes on.
What is this? ... "the law of conservation of talent"?
I don't believe in it!
This type of thinking is deeply rooted in almost everyone you meet - that you automatically are 'watered down' in every other area if you have more than one talent.
b-sh*#T
Tim - Thanks for reinforing a new way of thinking that goes against the grain.
This is your best post so far, and really would make an excellent addition to The 4-Hour Workweek (even though you obviously go over these points in the book)
This was really a moving post, to be honest, and makes me want to strive for so much more out of life.
Thank you.
Now out of school, I have had about 13 paid gigs in 4 years. Still enjoying new experiences and "broadening my horizons". Just left the best paid job yet- salary, benefits, own office, and a window. It wasn't stressful, it just bored the hell out of me. I'm done with my cell (aka-office).
"The more bridges you build, the more options you have when the weather changes."
-Jake Peters
higher education (uncountable)
1. University education or higher.
2. Continued education after the point at which attendance of an educational institution is no longer compulsory.
Isn't the exploring we do online, or a marketing program from a guru like Mark Joyner, Rich Schefren, Eben Pagan, or Dan Kennedy even higher than that?
This post is really empowering for me and for my students/clients. I always hated that "jack of all trades" expression!
DOWN WITH THE "FORMAL HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM"!
Let the University of Phoenix burn!
~V.
For example, I began college as an economics major yet also studied math, journalism, Latin, constitutional law, literature, pop culture, film, and classical history. My first job out of college was as a webmaster although I have never taken an information systems course in my life.
If you choose a college that not only lets you but encourages you to explore other disciplines (or perhaps even design your own program with faculty help), the rewards are immeasurable. This article affirms rather than condemns the merits of a well-rounded multidiscplinary education.
I will have to disagree with the people eschewing going to school--in the past 7 years I've taken all manner of courses in various forms of art, dance, organic gardening, alternative building methods, aromatherapy, etc. in addition to all of the English, Philosopy, Anthropology, Biology and the like I've been accumulating toward an eventual degree.
Honestly I've found something from each core requirement class that manages to apply to and enrich my life experiences, as well as increasing my flexibilty and ever expanding "comfort zone", so perhaps I'm in the minority here.
Don't get me wrong--I too believe that there is no substitute for experience, but the vast majority of worthwhile experiences involve some degree of learning beforehand in preparation. I like to say I collect skills like other people collect stamps, and I have been accused of being a professional student. Consider me that as well as an artist/sculptor, realtor/bellydance instructor, wannabe permaculturist and alternative builder, among all of my other "weird" Jane-of-all-trades skills. Sign me up for the next class, as well as the next adventure!
This post also adds to the question on whether an entrepreneur should pursue a niche or a market. Perhaps all the marketers sell people on going after niches so they won't have to compete with them. Do as they say... not as they do kind of thing.
Learning lots of different things makes you a more interesting person too. In turn you can relate to more people and accomplish more through those relationships.
I would have to agree. This subject can be seen in so many lights, but I would argue that it is more exciting and memorable to do different things. I own my concrete co., trade stocks online, just started a t-shirt company, and am leaving Texas to move to NYC. Doing a variety of things allows me to expand my mental capacity while at the same time spreading risk over several different ventures. Kind of like mutual funds in a 401K. In any and all industries you have ups and downs. Some of the most diverse and exciting companies do this. Virgin, Google, and even Hulk Hogan have done this.
It is like you said finding your muse, rather finding your MUSES.
Moreover, I have noticed that you see this more with individuals whom have traveled. There is a direct correlation with travel and diversity in one's life. The action of seeing and experiencing multiple events keeps one's mind moving.
Have an Outstanding Day,
Jose
"Be too complex to categorize" - that is now my new motto! Actually I think it has always been my motto - I just never knew it.
I cannot wait to find out what your idea is to revolutionize education. I have always been fascinated by education and learning, but have always felt that the school systems in this country are inadequate in terms of providing truly practical and useful information for living in this world. In fact, it has always been a dream of mine to start a new type of school or educational system that allows students to learn about real life and living - on a global level.
I will be emailing Amy the details of my contribution to Amy - I hope you will find it as useful of a contribution as I believe it is!
Thanks for another great post!
"Be too complex to categorize." I love it!
There is another great quote from Dan Kennedy I love...
He talked about how many Entrepreneurs are guilty of committing "Industry Incest" (I can't remember the exact term) But...
It's basically how too many people get so narrow minded and focused that they ONLY associate with people, read books and publications etc. from their own industry.
It would serve us all to broaden our range and open our minds to new possibilties, ways of doing things and other points of view.
I'm all about freedom and limitless options. When we focus soley on one area of life we cut off other oportunites and experience for growth.
At the same time however it is Very important to "stick to our guns" when it comes to making money. spend the most time on what we know we do best and outsource the rest.
While many commentators are talking about higher education I'll throw in my 2 cents...
Education is KEY for any level of success in anything. Period. How you go about that education just depends on what you really want. (I'd never go to a Dr. who didn't finish school) Yet most Entrepreneurs I know don't attribute their success to what they learned in school. Although I'd have to agree to the benefits like Ryan Anderson mentioned in his comment...
"but well-rounded learning that actually makes you think, exposes you to ideas you wouldn’t be exposed to, and ways of looking at the world are never a waste of time... but it was that experience that broadened my horizons and ability to learn so that I could master things on my own."
May we all continually grow in all aspects of life...
-Travis Tolman
P.S. Tim- I'd be interested in learning any more tips on getting great deals on flights. (I don't know If I'd dare book an important flight 24 hrs before when I've got a set appointment I've gotta make.)
Thanks for everything ;)
I'm a generalist myself, in the way you describe, but I've lived with it long enough to know some of the prices I pay.
Aaron
"Based on my experience and research, it is possible to become world-class in almost any skill within one year."
I'm 47 and am interested in learning how to play tennis. Based on your experience, I should reach the Wimbledon finals next year, right?
###
LOL... precisely. Federer's days are numbered! I'll be posting a comment to explain "world-class" in a few hours :)
Tim
I do agree with a previous commentator. What ARE some of the disadvantages? When you look at highly paid SAP consultants or neurosurgeons, it's hard to argue against be specialists. They may have a narrow world view, but I wouldn't mind having their paycheck. Basically, what I am trying to say is that for the majority of society, it doesn't pay to be a generalist but it does pay to be a specialist. Having said that, I personally don't agree with that philosophy which is why I am what I am.
I do have a belief that people who are specialists are ill suited to be entrepreneurs. They are too limited in their world view and cannot function with the aid of others because they cannot or will not embrace all the other necessary roles that are required when having your own company.
Eventually I just decided to go with it regardless, and it turns out that, though I might be slower, I'm not terribly bad and I have some good ideas.
These are the first reasons I've seen for wanting to know some in a lot of different areas instead of all in one area.
My philosophy is that the more you learn about, the more you can appreciate. Career-wise, there are disadvantages of not specializing in something, but there are no disadvantages to learning new things. Period.
###
Hi Jeff!
I do all of the writing because I enjoy it. I sketched the design/architecture of the blog and then had a Wordpress expert code it for me. My VAs do some of the moderation, and I pop in once in a while to moderate. I like to interact with my readers but can't always answer every personal question, which is why I'm so happy to have readers who participate and help each other!
Hope that helps,
Tim
Life's too short to be bored why what you do.
For years, I've let myself be guided by this Heinlein quote:
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
In adopting a completely liberated lifestyle that allows me to simply follow my passions and explore new opportunities, I've had one challenge emerge: I quit my job and no longer have the "luxury" of defining myself by my job title. I realize I'm not alone on this. In the US especially, "So what do you do?" is asked far too often, and it's always been easy to just spew off a flashy "I'm a (job title) at (killer company).." followed by an inflated one-liner about what that actually means.
I am decidedly undefined right now and love having no canned answer to that unavoidable conversational question. I'm a traveler, an investor (of time, thought & capital), a serial entrepreneur, designer, etc. The list goes on -- and I can truly say I excel in each area. Jack of all trades, master of many. A generalist, as you say.
At the end of the day, though we all want to be somewhat fluid in our definition of who we are - there is always that moment, in a loud crowded lounge or a 30-second chat with mere acquaintance -- where the fully enlightened response just isn't appropriate.
In that setting, for those that are truly living the 4HWW -- "what do you do?"
###
Hi David,
Here are four popular choices of the time-liberated:
-"I'm retired." Then just let them think on that.
-"I'm a (travel) writer." If you write, you're a writer. Legit answer.
-"I'm an entrepreneur." Entrepreneur is further reaching than just income and business creation. It's just someone who makes things happen.
-"I'm a consultant/investor." Both are true of most people on some level.
Hope that helps!
Tim
Thanks for the great comments and contributions to the discussion. I love the Robert Heinlein quote.
A few clarifications:
1) "World-class" to me is being the top 1-5% most proficient of all people who practice a certain skill.
2) I stated you could become world-class in almost any skill, not all. There are some limits on sports (powerlifting, etc.) that require massive physical adaptation of connective tissue, but motor skills can be learned quickly. I had never done ballroom or partner dancing of any type before training 5 months to set the world record in tango and also get to the semi-finals of the world championships, for example.
3. It IS possible to be both a generalist and a specialist. When I did tango, I did it for 6-8 hours a day. Did I specialize? Yes, but I only did so for a total of about 8 months. Thus, I'm a macro-generalist and a micro-specialist.
4. There are pros and cons to both being a specialist and being a generalist. This post was just a few reasons on the "pro" side of generalists. I'll let you guys battle out the rest ;)
5. I believe education, including formal education, can be extremely valuable. I wouldn't trade my liberal arts education for the world. There are crappy teachers and good teachers both inside and outside of institutions. The prizes go to those who seek out the best teachers.
Hope that helps, and keep up the comments!
Tim
by Barbara Sher (Author). She gives great encouragement and practical strategies to us DaVinci types, allowing us to be released from the "dilettante" label forever!
This is obviously this post is powerful noted by the nearly 50 comments in just a few hours.
I agree that we put too much attention on a single focus in our careers. Having many interests and many skills allows one to adapt to changing circumstances.
I have worked in many industries, and some people frown on this....trying to discredit the amazing amount of experience a person can get if they work in many fields. I think the more experiences you have (in a career and in life's journey) the more colorful the tapestry you weave along the way.
thom
You ask about effective education.
I am a 37 year old father of two who grew up attending about a dozen educational institutions in 9 countries: public schools with the middle class; boarding schools with wealthy expatriates; 1 on 1 tutoring with a blind man; classes of 3 students in the rainforest and sessions of 40 students in suburbia; and later a state school and Harvard.
Based on my experiences, what did I decide to do for my own children?
I decided to combine the hard knocks of public schools with the rigors of boarding school. Combine the attention of 1 on 1 tutoring with the social enrichment of large groups. And combine the breadth of state school course offerings with the depth of an Ivy League education.
I decided to homeschool.
There are so many reasons not to send your child through conventional schooling that I will not even attempt to list them here (read "The Well-Trained Mind" for the most authoritative book I've found on the subject; and the works of John Taylor Gatto). But I will mention two:
1) Learning is only possible when the motivation comes from the student, not from the teacher; and
2) Homeschooled children repeatedly outperform their conventionally-trained peers in conventional, standardized tests. Consider Switzerland, a country with the world’s highest per capita income and yet only 23% of the student population attends high school.
"But what about socialization?" detractors protest.
One does not merely sit at home. Like the "Four Hour Workweek," the objective is not simply to work four hours, but rather to free time to variegate one's range of experience into other areas.
So my recommendation for the perfect education is the following 4 step program:
1) KILL YOUR TV: Yes, remove it from the house. Shakespeare will never compete with Bart.
2) BUY LOTS OF BOOKS: They'll take care of the rest. We formally "teach" our kids no more than a couple of hours a day and now they're already a few years ahead of their peers. The wealthy class of centuries past simply bought books and hired home tutors. Does it take a lot of brains to parrot a teacher's workbook? Nope.
3) TRAVEL: Not unfamiliar to the great thinkers of ages past, the refinement that comes with international travel is simply not possible sitting in your hometown. There is something magical about experiencing new cultures, exotic languages, breathtaking sights, and intoxicating smells that is simply not possible sitting in your home country. And by travel I don't mean getting a 3 week Eurail pass. I mean relocating to a new, preferably poor, country. Why poor? Because the poor usually have more to teach.
4) VENTURE CAPITAL: Starting from an age when your kids can act responsibly with money, usually 5 or 6, give them a hundred bucks and ask them to double it. Then ask them to give it away (intelligently). Sit back and watch them learn more in a couple of weeks than their peers would have learned in a semester.
These 4 steps don't require a lot of money and certainly the 4HWW makes it completely possible. Besides, all the money that you previously wasted on school is now spent traveling with the kids.
Is it replicable? Easily. Is it cost effective? How many billions of dollars are we going to save by converting decrepit school buildings run by the government into community centers run by families?
By the way, on a completely different note: is it coincidence that your first name stands for "Time, Income, Mobility" and that your family name resembles one "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" who used brains, wit, and technology, to defy convention and authority?
Im so excited to see some positive reinforcement for the jack of all trades :) That definitely describes me. Its always viewed so negatively, but I really wouldnt be happy if I decided to specialize in one area and continue to do that one thing for the rest of my working life. I can't choose any one degree program, or decide on the type of business I would like to run, etc. Really I want to be doing at least 5 different things at once.
You are also much more likely to discover things that you have a natural talent for, if you are always learning and trying new things.
I think your article is great and couldn't agree with you more about the benefits of being a generalist. I am curious, though, about your statement that "what I prefer to call a 'generalist,'; is making a comeback." Being a generalist is arguably better, but I believe that it's far from making a comeback. In the last two years, for example, I've seen job postings become increasingly specific about candidates' past experience and expertise, most probably to help recruiters deal with the effects of the increasingly ubiquitous technology that surrounds a previously manual process (resume databases, people mass-blasting applications, etc.). Also, as companies become larger and larger, experience and skillsets are becoming much more one-dimensional with little room to dabble and showcase a range of skills. In what areas have you seen a growth in either appreciation or practice of generalist mentality?
One other thing (and this is for the peanut gallery, too), what professions have you found to be particularly well suited to generalists?
Thanks!
-i
I just say I`m a writer and leave it at that. If asked again I say I write and sell my work online.
The last thing I want to do is impress strangers with my work or lifestyle because when you retire "too young" it really annoys a lot of people or gets the the other reaction - I want to be you best friend because you are successful. Neither of those responses does anything for me.
Over time, you end up hanging around with other people in the same boat - my best friend works very little, takes the summer off etc. You can go nuts if you don`t find some like minded people to hang around with.
This hasn't generated the "sh*t storm" I expected, as you might say.
Mmm. Yes, varied experiences are good. But are you saying it is better to be "average at many things" rather than excellent in one thing.
Arguably, one could possibly live a more fulfilling life but, in the traditional sense, would one likely achieve greater success...ie. better jobs, promotions, better pay?
Tim, to be successful in corporate America and to climb the corporate ladder, doesn't one have to be GREAT at something. A "micro-specialist" as you like to call it, in at least one very narrow field?
Although you might consider yourself a "jack of all trades" you are VERY, VERY good at many things ...among them, creating sh*t storms!! O.K., we can call it marketing.
Ernst
The message in Tim' s blog is success in life. Not just making a lot of money because you can do one thing well at corporate america. Many of today's society is brainwashed like this and which is why they live unfulfilled lives. There must be a clear purpose at to why, reasons come first. Greater success in what sense? More hours, because usually a promotion in corporate america means more hours with maybe a 10% increase.
And not to mention 90% more stress of which wears on your body and mind, this tears down your body.
Its not about the corporate ladder of a company, its about the ladder of life. The experiences are what count. There is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Chill out on the language and realize this is all self expression and ideas that can be applied. Try it first and then leave a comment
BEst
Jose Castro-Frenzel
You eloquently state what I've been trying to explain to others about myself for many years. It is my broad knowledge of topics from sociology to electrical engineering, from theatre to mathematics, that has enabled me to hold conversations with PhD's in Physics as well as PhD's in Comparative Religion. I enjoy that about my life and have always found repetitive activity of a specialization to be a prison.
I must disagree with some, above, who have argued that college is a waste. A liberal arts college gives a person opportunities to be exposed to new ideas and sample dozens of subjects in one place. With that base of knowledge, then is the time to go out into the world and expand and experience the world first hand.
Thanks Tim.
Agree on all points; especially "the lack of urgency typical of those who claim that something 'takes a lifetime to learn.'"
The term "renaissance man" needs to become an honor again.
I'm reminded of a some favorite quotes from my favorite book series, Dune:
"Any path that narrows future possibilities may become a lethal trap. Humans are not threading their way through a maze; they scan a vast horizon filled with unique opportunities. The narrowing viewpoint of the maze should appeal only to creatures with their noses buried in the sand."
and especially:
"Above all else, the mentat must be a generalist, not a specialist. It is wise to have decisions of great moment monitored by generalists. Experts and specialists lead you quickly into chaos. They are a source of useless nit-picking, the ferocious quibble over a comma. The mentat-generalist, on the other hand, should bring to decision-making a healthy common sense. He must not cut himself off from the broad sweep of what is happening in his universe. He must remain capable of saying: 'There's no real mystery about this at the moment. This is what we want now. It may prove wrong later, but we'll correct that when we come to it.' The mentat-generalist must understand that anything which we can identify as our universe is merely part of a larger phenomena. But the expert looks backward; he looks into the narrow standards of his own specialty. The generalist looks outward; he looks for living principles, knowing full well that such principles change, that they develop. It is to the characteristics of change itself that the mentat-generalist must look. There can be no permanent catalogue of such change, no handbook of manual. you must look at it with as few preconceptions as possible, asking yourself: 'Now what is this thing doing?'"
- The Mentat Handbook
Although I own a small business and consider myself a "jack of all trades", I am scared stiff I might one day have to get a real job from corporate America. I wear many hats which makes the work interesting, but I am not particular good, honestly, at anything. Where need be, I hire experts (ie. accountants) to help me from going bankrupt.
Frankly, I don't think I have the specific, proven skills/resume required to get a decent job in a field I would like (ie. marketing) that pays $70,000-80,000 a year (ie. flipping fries at McDonalds is always an option but won't pay for college for my 2 kids).
How about a jack of all trades and a master of (at least) ONE? And the ONE should, ideally, be something you enjoy.
Ernst
Cal Banyan
Author, Trainer, Blogger, Podcaster
You are one of the best arguments for a liberal arts education that I've come across in some time. 4HWW seems like a pragmatic tutorial on not doing what you're told but thinking about how you think and coming up with better solutions. Long live the generalist. Thanks Tim.
-Dane Sanders
As an example, I'm training for IT, I could spend all my life becoming the master IT guru and getting a CCIE (an expert level certification that is limited to about 100,000 people world wide). In return i would never have the time to realize my dreams such as traveling the world, learning martial arts such as Judo, speaking other languages, becoming a better cook, play the guitar like a rock star, and so on.
To Tim, great article, I've always been more of the jack of all trades type. constantly trying new things out, reading about a range of how things work and so on. I'm a huge fan of the "how it works" shows common on History channel and discovery channel.
I've finished your book, and have been trying to brainstorm ideas for the start up business, but i cant seem to come up with a niche idea that meets the requirements yet. I've come to the conclusion I'm not looking at the bigger picture enough yet. Any other suggestions for resources to help with the muses?
He said Two things I well remember today and have guided me well.
1) There are two ways to get a good general education: Naval Officer training, and Architecture School. Naval Officers before radio had to represent their country and its interests all over the world by dint of their own abilities and knowledge. Similarly architects in history had to carry out the diverse wishes of the King from war machines to tombs (more recently Albert Speer for Hitler).
Given we now have radio - I went for Architecture, a diverse mix of social, artistic and mechanical knowledge and abilities.
2) You don't have to work for a living (or more accurately - for someone else). Bucky threw in his job writing for a science magazine, and with a family to feed, went out inventing on his own. Never patented anything and knew money would follow if he did his 'job' well. Wrote a bit of poetry on the side too!
Consequently I have never had a job, but always managed to make a living, and have a wide range of abilities and interests. The best of those you learn through learning - the ability to self-educate.
There are a lot of ways to learn quickly including some excellent accelerated learning skills, but the best way is through mentoring - apprenticeships.
I have heard the approximation that to master a skill or technique takes 10 000 hours. So if its your job/goal and you do 100 hours a week, two years might cut it out!
Then there is the TV show where people get a couple of weeks to learn a skill and fool the 'experts'.
Regarding the Competition, I think most schooling is 'baby sitting' and treading water until most teenagers get maturity. In that way it serves a social role rather than an intellectual one.
The other thing we have got going for us is that most of those old generalists were dead before 50 - we get a bigger bite of the cherry if we can keep learning alive.
Dr. Michael Merzenich, a professor at the University of California at San Francisco, say that the brain's ability to change -- its "plasticity" -- is lifelong...
the key is keeping up the brain's machinery for learning... Unless you work on it, brain fitness often begins declining at around age 30 for men, a bit later for women. "People mistake being active for continuous learning," Merzenich says. "The machinery is only activated by learning. People think they're leading an interesting life when they haven't learned anything in 20 or 30 years. My suggestion is learn Spanish or the oboe."
I could not agree more, I to want to do so many things and people have actually been generally mean to me about how many things I do, talking behind my back "I do not by she can do all those things.". But hey what do people know? Unfortunately, the specialty mentality is abundant. I have never claimed to be the best at anything but I want to experience as many things that appeal to be as possible, writing, photography, philanthropy, and the list goes on. How do you explain a girl that has worked in a funeral home, a teacher as a photographer, as head of the under cover agents, a poet, and for the Associated Press. Yes this is me and proud of it.
One of the hard parts though is managing and deciding everything you want to do. The possibilities are endless. The HOW of it and organization of it is what Tim's book and Margaret Lobenstein's book have helped me get to.
I think I may be writing a new entry of this very subject on my own blog. http:www.rosaleelaws.com.
Rock it brotha'!
I must admit that at times I envy my friends who specialize, but the jack of all trades has a far greater ability to adapt. I would have been the 5th generation of lawyer in my family. I just could not bring myself to live in a daily adversarial enviornment.
Thanks again for a great book!
PS.
Tim, I emailed our company's donation to your contest.
A specialist can (and usually does) rely on an employer or society (in the form of government opportunities) to keep him/her working and content.
The upside is limited - specialists are rarely (if ever) CEOs or heads of anything beyond a "department" - but then their downside is also limited. There's always a generalist out there looking for a specialist to do work for him ;)
It is quite possible for a generalist to find himself with no employment opportunities and no "handouts" waiting for him. In those times the Jacks of All Trades either make their own opportunities or perish.
The upward potential for a generalist is unlimited, but there's one hell of a downward spiral if you aren't up to the taking responsibility at all times.
But the real geniuses, the family practitioners who diagnose everything for an HMO penny and have to refer (often) to the SPECIALIST at the patient's insistence, really get the shaft.
The reality is that employers these days are looking for people who are practical, flexible, responsive and in possession of enterprise or "soft" skills (ANTA study 2001).
In the scheme of things, the capable generalist who can meet a business' various needs in a timely manner is often more valuable than the one-eyed specialist with his truck-load of degrees...
Richard Branson is one of the most amazing generalists I know of - and he loves learning about new businesses and launching them. It's far more interesting than doing the same old thing day in day out.
I've got to go now but will continue this comment later.
Thanks!
I would not call it master of none, but jack of all trades, master of a few. The master of none probably would not be doing too good if everything he knows is half baked(jack of all trade). You'd still want to master something, just don't be clueless in other subjects.
Nice to see a post on this issue in an age that pressures us to find our "one true passion" and focus only on developing a single skill. Many of us have broad skills and interests and need the intellectual stimulation of multiple pursuits to keep us going.
How does a generalist demand specialist wages?
BD
As a 46 year old former corporate manager, I have seen a trend taking place in recent years in corporate America that seems to indicate specialization is the key. The generalist seems to be unable to penetrate the job market effectively for lack of a label that HR can understand. I myself have struggled in promoting myself within the corporate structure for this reason.
I now have my own business and my general knowledge is more of an advantage.
After reading your book, I have decided to put into practice your methods of automating a business and freeing myself and family for greater things. My problem is, As a generalist, I am having trouble defining a market and product to build my business around. I NEED MY MUSE! Can you give some methods on narrowing down the possibilities?
Thanks Brother,
Cole
As a full-time technical writer and part-time web designer, I'm interested in software UI design, Information architecture and all the tools of my full-time trade as well (typography, illustration, information design and writing). There is so much crossover between all these areas that being a specialist in one would leave me, essentially, professionally crippled.
There are other aspects which have led me to "embrace Jack" but I'll write them up on my blog once I've given them a little thought.
Great post.
What my co-workers have called "brilliant" in a number of different settings isn't brilliance at all. I have often taken a technique or tool from one world where it has crystallized into absolute uselessness and plopped it unchanged into a different context where it is just what the doctor failed to order.
I just got your book on audio (iTunes)... I just wanted to say thanks for putting it together... what an eye opener.
Sincerely,
JF Grissom
San Diego, CA.
I bought the book AND the audiobook.
I appreciate this refreshing look at the jack of all trades, and your whole contrarian viewpoint on the world.
Scott
I believe what you say holds true for those with high IQ but not those with lesser IQ's.
I have seen that fact reported and as a holder of a high IQ have seen it in daily practice.
I used to believe everyone could do anything because I can but after years of encouraging others beyond their limits I sadly realize it simply isn't true for most people.
With a higher IQ comes an almost insatiable NEED to explore many topics. I often wonder if those with lesser IQ's and needs aren't happier and more content with their mastery of a small part of the universe.
When people ask me what I do, I counter their question with what did Leonardo da Vinci do? Was he a painter? Was he a sculptor? Was he an inventor?
Leonardo wasn't pigeonholed, so what's with the modern preoccupation with defining us all by a single occupation?
I think I'm a "jack of all trades" myself. My interests and activities range from writing, singing, playing the guitar, martial arts (Aikido, Jujitus, Kali, Kendo, etc.), technology , business, travel, psychology, languages, among other things. I definitely wouldn't consider myself a "master of none" since I'm doing some of these activities at a world-class level, too.
Just like what you wrote, it is excitement and fun that motivates me to pursue my interests. I get bored easily and my different activities make me feel alive.
One thing I'm working on right now is becoming an entrepreneur. Your book has provided me some great ideas.
Vielen Dank und viel Erfolg!
Ton
Really looking forward to your blog on the explanation of "world-class" as you mentioned in one of your replies. (below)
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###
LOL… precisely. Federer’s days are numbered! I’ll be posting a comment to explain “world-class” in a few hours :) Tim
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Thanks
--
Hi Manan,
I think I gave my thoughts in one of the comments to this post? If not, my apologies, but this will be something I'll explore more in future posts regardless.
All the best,
Tim
Manan
Now it's time to be the entrepreneur that has been simmering inside of me! Thanks for the insightful post.
Because the product I support is *SO* f'ing complex, I feel that becoming an expert in it is the only way to be successful in my position.
But then I read your blog from time to time and find posts like this. You are one seriously sharp knife. You cut through the b.s. and go to the heart of the matter. This sentence struck me severely, and I had to stop and internalize it for awhile:
====
Lack of intellectual stimulation, not superlative material wealth, is what drives us to depression and emotional bankruptcy. Generalizing and experimenting prevents this, while over-specialization guarantees it.
====
You made my confront my main issue: while the product I support is complex, it is no longer intellectually stimulating or fun. I do it because it brings in a paycheck.
I suffer from medical depression and I think the position I am in goes a long way towards keeping me 'down'. We're a single income family of 6. I make enough money to support my family and we're comfortable, but I hate my job and my lack of zest for life that I used to have several years ago.
HEEEEEELP!!!!
p.s. I live in Austin but couldn't afford to get an Interactive badge for SXSW. I truly wish I could have come. All the best.
DL
Set aside the issue of whether "IQ=smart" and consider that THIS "syndrome" is a normal one for some portion of people who score high on IQ tests -- that compared to others in the population, this group includes folks who a) can learn a broader spectrum of things than average, b) enjoy learning and feel driven to it, c) learn rapidly, and d) have learning achievements that may be less than focused specialists but are much greater than average. Why demonize it!
Why not just accept it as one in the array of human possibilities, and provide kids who display these traits with appropriate career direction FOR THEM. Barbara Sher has said that "dumb" companies fire such people while "smart" companies let them move around the company tinkering with and solving the problems no one else can solve!
My apologies.
Yes, you had posted your thoughts on being "world-class" earlier as a comment. I missed it as I was searching for your replies only through Ctrl + F and "###".
Loved your thoughts on the same.
Thanks.
Hey how are? I would definitely suggest balance. Academics are always good but I can tell you from personal experience that you want to have fun while you are in HS. Don't miss out on doing all the fun things there are to do. I for example started martial arts in hs and am glad I did, otherwise if you wait till you are older it may be more difficult for you to start new hobbies/sports.
I hope this helps. I noticed your comment and felt compelled to throw in my thoughts.
Cheers
Jose Castro-Frenzel
Generalization. The All you can eat buffet of Life.
On a positive end-being dynamic, curious, cultured, and multifaceted is very attractive and affords you the opportunity to "play" with others. Banter. Explore. Surprise. Inspire. And most treasured experience of all is the exchange of insight and experience and inspired creativity-dealing in the multiplication of value rather than merely addition. Afterall-any animal added to another animal can make an additional animal.
But what animal can throw a really great party?
I didn't read all the commenting posts to this-I had to generalize-even though I'm sure I missed some awesome one. But the spirit of each one of them is largely the same grand feeling.
Here's a quote I was reminded of, from Robert A. Heinlin's Time Enough for Love:
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
My name is Braden Loader. I'm currently a commerce student at the University of Manitoba, and to be frank, I'm tired of being 21 and not sailing my own boat off the coast of Costa Rica!
I have a prospective business idea in the form of a self-guided adventure travel company, yet feel my business plan and concept are loose and undeveloped. I believe some serious strategic aid is to be sought if I'm not to be one of the several thousand internet sites that bite the dirt immediately. Realizing this may be an atypical request, I can only hope you'd humour me, as a newcomer such as myself could learn a lot from your business savvy. Where and when may we meet?
As urgency is a matter of opinion, I'll leave it up to you!
Regards (I just can't do the "cheers" thing),
Braden Loader
P.S. Apologies to those with intellectually stimulating comments, all I can do is try!
As someone who's been called a Renaissance Man more than once, I feel like I've just found a second home!
I've only just started the book and I'm loving it.
As a kid, I thought I'd like to be James Bond, able to draw on whatever skill is required to handle any situation. I wanted to be McGyver, to solve problems logically and instead of shooting them or blowing them up. Leonardo Da Vinci became my idol. Learn the art of science and the science of art. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on since the age of four in pretty much every field imaginable. Martial arts, basic military training (I'm Irish so no danger of going to war!), playing the guitar, singing, working as a potter, a stint in McDonalds, an IT Diploma and 9 years and counting living in Paris, France married to the love of my life.
Yet something's missing.
And I'm still trying to find it. How do you tie it all together? How can you use that generalist non-specialist mindset to get ahead?
Too complex to categorise.......I love that. And I'd rather be familiar to competent in a dozen fields than a world leader in one single area with little or no knowledge in any other.
When your aim is to establish a unique position in the minds of your audience, being "the ONLY _____ that _____" (read 'ZAG' by by Marty Neumeier) gives you a distinct competitive advantage. "Being the best in the world is seriously underrated" (Seth Godin), because your message cuts through clutter and gets noticed quickly.
But there two primary functions of business: innovation and marketing.
Being *perceived* as a specialist makes sense for marketing.
Being a generalist is crucial for innovation.
Specialists who only know how to market fail to innovate.
Do you think that someone will soon base a comic book character on your lifestyle and persona?
What's your own personal opinion on wearing your underwear outside of your pants?
Seriously though, your achievements are amazing, inspiring and very possible for those willing to adopt them. I've done intensive training and gotten excellent results in such a short time that you get the inevitable, "You're so lucky" or "You're so gifted" comments. All nonsense of course, it's just dedication, a few street smarts and effective leverage of time and resources that does it. I have to say that you do all of this with a great amount of style. Hats off to you!
The point about knowing 20% of a language and being able to communicate with 80% of the people is really true.. not just figuratively speaking of language.
I follow all sports just enough to have an intelligent conversation about them, same with politics, stocks, and music.
I'm not a fanatic of any of these... and wouldn't miss them if you took them away.. but by taking a half hour every day to read up on these 4 topics, I can talk to just about anyone.
Great post
I'm writing a book on this subject, advice for people juggling many talents and passions. Can I get an interview with you? Or cite part of this post? Thanks! enjoying following you on Twitter
Lisa
P.S. I have an apartment in Paris you could use
No problem if you want to cite a few quotations from this post, as long as you attribute it to me and provide the blog URL (www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog). I'm taking some time off of interviews, I'm afraid.
Best of luck and perhaps we'll bump into each other in Paris :)
Pura vida,
Tim
At the same time, a teenage passion for cars now has me able to lube points, change water pumps, and do all sorts of things under the hood I wouldn't have been able to do otherwise. The same for computers. I was a geek then, but now I get to be the hero who can fix most people's tech problems.
I wrote for fun. Now I do it for a living (and a good one). I paint, first not so well but now not so badly. I draw (always have) and had a published weekly cartoon strip for a couple of years.
I cook, sometimes pretty well and sometimes badly. I play the guitar. I juggle. I'm learning right now about photography. I've learned how to travel and now live overseas (Paris) a good part of the year. My French is coming along. Next, my wife and I plan to tackle Spanish.
I say this not to brag (well, maybe a little... because I'm proud of how these skills piled up) but because I never would have imagined, when I had few or none of these skills under my belt, that I'd get this far. Nor did I realize how much each newly mastered and divergent skill would give me both the energy and the zeal to tackle the next thing on the list.
For instance, I'm learning Wordpress. For years, I couldn't get anyone to create a site for me that was quite right. Mostly because I didn't know the possibilities myself, and couldn't direct them. Finally I just decided, I have to learn to do this... and it's coming together. Not perfect. But a year from now, I'm guessing I'll be pretty good at it.
Anyway... great post.
You've got a quick wit and you're clearly a clever thinker.
Good stuff.
P.S. And no, at this point I haven't read your book yet. But what I've seen on this site convinces me. I'm going to go check it out right now.
Thanks for this post Tim!
how does one know what 20%
of the information they will need
(example when learning guitar there are
dozens of cords but for the sake of
idea lets say there are 10 which 2
are most used? do you really need to know
that augmented F sharp cord? but what of the g cord?)
so how does one go about finding the 20%?
What if everyone was a generalist? If everyone was a generalist, we would still have people who mastered some occupations better than others. How would one generalist give up his skills to another?
Why the obsession with specialising.
As such I've thrown myself into learning more and more. Some of my personal goals include ju jutsu & iai jutsu, poetry, philosophy, break dancing, yoga, Spanish and Japanese.
Since expanding my horizons like this the world and my life has become 1000 times more fulfilling. I'm re-discovering lost hobbies and interests. I love it. I love the fact I've found someone who so successfully displays this too. One hell of an inspiration.
If you have a discovery in your main field of expertise, other fields can be improved with the same type of thinking or similar concepts. Many developments in a wide range of fields can achieved by using "cross procedure." Here is an example. Computers! They have been integrated into every facet of our lives however they certainly did not start out that way.
I've always believed this, though my personal reasoning is most in line with the boredom argument. As soon as I understand something with any depth, I'm ready to move on. It's not the destination of knowledge but the journey of learning that I enjoy.
Seth Godin has tried to make me question that, but it's one of the few places he is short-sighted. As he writes, [paraphrased, badly] if you are looking to hire somebody, you hire the absolute best your money can afford. My retort: who then does that hiring?
I recently switched to Google Chrome as my web browser and all of your blog postings come out with a black background and gray text, barely readable. I don't know much about web design to offer specific suggestions, but you may want to look into it. Thanks.
Thanks! I'll send this on to the designer.
Best,
Tim
After reading your post I have to admit, i did recognize myself deeply, many thanks.
But lately, i do not know, i have read your book with shiploads of interest and inspiration, i found it hard to outsource duties to third parties. Maybe due lack of trust to others & feeling too important to my own duties. I feel a bit awkard to my own lifestyle.
My activities are with creative skills; I am a graphic designer, powerpointpimper, making animations, helping people out with visualizing their dreams and goals in life, i create paintings, storyboards, sell & design T-shirts & rebuilt furniture, organize events for people to share their passions, goals in life & inspirations along a bonfire, i do vj-ing at dance-parties i.e. all very nice to meet nice people and do my thing along the way.
I go on holiday three times a year and learn a lot and see interesting people and their cultures. I follow courses in kitesurfing,
The 'generalist'-thing is making me a bit chaotic and i have noticed in the years that friends of the second circle are changing rapidly, it is all dynamic. But sometimes it really is making me tired. Questions as; should i move on like this, why is there not more money coming into the pocket from all the things i undertake? I eventually would like to buy a house, at least a place for myself. ( i am living for 4 years in properties of friends or people i met along the way).
My request for your advise is; how can i outsource some of the duties within my 'jack-of-all'-trades so i 'work' less and not feeling tired of 'having a loads to do'-voice in my head & how can i make more of a living out of it (maybe more business-like, a side i have to develope probably) by doing so?
And beyond that, i have the feeling of having a lifestyle to make some jealous with but why is there not the consiousness within me that says it is all ok like it is?
My greetings from Holland
Armand
Take Tim for example, who's knowledge of how many different aspects of life work makes his lifestyle approach work.
This is far more interesting and effective that the standard self-help folk who churn out the same material again and again.