Are you great at one thing or good at many things?

March 3, 2009 by JR Farr

I want to throw out a thought that has really made me think. Are you great at one thing or good at many things?

Occasionally, I like to take a step back and think about where my focus is, my motivation is and if I’m moving in the right direction. If you don’t know me you have to understand something about me. I’m the type of person who wants to know how to do everything and if I don’t know how to do it I want to know how. At my work I sometimes think of myself as a “Utility” guy. Almost like a human Swiss Army knife. I know how to do many things and I think I am good at them but am I truly great at something?

My brother Clayton hit home when I read a post from him the other day.

I got the message early on that I can do about anything. However, it wasn’t until quite a bit later that I realized I can’t do everything.

This made my mind start thinking about great at one thing or good at many things. I have heard this before but my brain just can’t seem to understand it. Especially nowadays right? I mean think about how fast things change? I find myself worrying if I spend all of my time focusing on becoming great at something that by the time I perfect that “thing” it could be out of date. Is anything really scalable anymore besides Google?

I commend anyone who has perfected one thing in their life. My hat’s off to you my fellow friend. The problem for me is my brain just isn’t programmed that way. I am truly a life learner. If I can learn something new everyday I feel like I grow as a person. (Geez this is getting deep huh? Sorry we’re almost done.)

Anyway, just a thought that you should really take a step back and look at. The one problem I see with trying to be good at SO many things could lead to not having a enough time to focus on things that actually create value. To me it’s a balancing act.

I say, don’t limit yourself but just be carefull to not strecth yourself too thin. It can’t hurt to learn new things because you naturally grow as a person.

What about you? Are you great at one thing or good at many things?

3 comments on ‘Are you great at one thing or good at many things?’

Nick — 27 April 2011 21:45: I think the expression goes "jackass of all trades,master of none." my dad taught me that one. I suffer from the same condition. I keep waiting for that one thing I can truly love and focus on but it never comes. There are too many awesome things in the world to just focus on one!!
Leslie — 30 July 2009 10:09: Sam, that expression has always haunted me, but I'm like JR. I'm just too interested in exploring and learning. I wish I could be a Georgia O'Keefe and be singularly focused, but I just can't. That's what I love about creating an online business, there is so much to explore and learn and implement. When I first started learning about New Media, I thought - man - everyone will be doing this. Curiously, of all the people I've evangelized to - even bought books for - only one other person actually acted on the information. I've realized that not everyone is wired like like me - for whatever reason, they just can't reach beyond their own sphere of knowledge. So maybe the way I'm wired is not such a bad thing, after-all.
sam — 12 March 2009 19:50: Haven't you ever heard of that age old expression, "jack of all trades, master of none?"

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