Jack of all trades…

There was a time when I watched a short clip on WhatsApp. It was about a lady trying to explain that there are a lot of things that are hidden and are not so clear to us, and this might have in some way brainwashed our thinking and perspective about some things we do in life.

Some quotes we know nowadays are not complete. Some of them might have a few parts well known while the remaining parts are not widely known. An example is the popular quote “Jack of all trade is a master of none”.

I have believed in this quote for a long time, not until recently when I watched the clip on WhatsApp where the lady said Jack of all trades is a good quote and a motivating one. But it has a remaining many people aren't aware of, the full quotes is

"A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one."

After getting to know about this full quote, I felt like we had been deceived for a long time. So anyone who thinks they can’t do multiple things or have multiple careers just because they feel that if they get involved in them they would be a master of none of them.

And that’s right, being a master of none at times is way better than a master of one. Just as the full quote has it. There are a lot of people who master one thing and still can't cope besides someone who does many other things.

To me, I see it as getting to know what’s best for ourselves, knowing our capabilities and capacities. If we realize we can’t do multiple things at a time then it's better we just stick to one. And sticking to one is also not advisable if you know you can do multiple things at a go.

I have seen many people become a jack of all trades and still a master of one. A lady we served together was so good to the extent that I appreciated her dedication toward success. She was a true reflection of the quote.

With her first appearance, I knew her to be a good chef and baker. She learned that skill as a student and she could deliver well. As time went on, I realized she was also a fashion designer who sewed dresses for people. I was wowed without knowing that was just the beginning.

One day we had our conversation relating to cryptocurrency, actually I wasn’t expecting much from her, not until he dived into the conversation and flowed well again. She explained how much she took advantage of the bull run and how she had always traded assets on different exchanges. I felt like getting to know what she does. Because she is good at everything I saw her doing.

She also proved that she is a student of finance. She successfully ran the association business of trading miscellaneous goods. Her system of accounting was top-notch. And I loved her ways.

Of all she does, she was indeed also a master of one. She was extraordinarily good when it came to baking and she took that to her mastery and professional skills.

Bruce Lee once said; He fears not a man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once but fears the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.

I truly believe in the fact that one can have multiple skills and careers, just in line with the jack-of-all-trades quote. But taking a look at what Bruce Lee has said we realize that there is a great difference when it comes to mastering one skill or sticking to one career.

For example, someone who seems to be an athlete, and a high jumper, a cyclist at the same time also a footballer, might succeed in all areas and be known. But if it were to be that he could channel all that energy into maybe only athletics, there might not be anyone to stand against him.

Examples are legends in each field, they practiced and focused on a single career path for years, despite the fact they had other talents too. But they built one and mastered it.

A football player who decides to be a striker and mild fielder, and also wants to defend and also a goalkeeper might be recognized for his talent on all fields, but won't be as useful as a striker who never missed his shots on target or a goalkeeper who never lost to the opponent.

In conclusion

We should try to figure out our abilities and capabilities, then know if we can withstand the pressure from taking multiple careers or skills, and if we can't then there is no big deal sticking to one and becoming a master at it.

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This is my response to the HIVE LEARNERS weekly prompt in hive learners community for the Week 118 Edition 3 and the topic to be discussed is MULTIPLE CAREER OR JUST ONE

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