A Jack of all Trades
“The full version [...] was meant as a compliment!”
Recently thanks to a tweet, I was made aware of the full "jack of all trades" quote. After a brief internet search and allowing the new-to-me knowledge to be absorbed into my being, I thought about it and what I've experienced in my life and tried to remember the moments of hearing or using it myself.
I could not recall one instance where I truly meant it as a compliment or where it was perceived as such. Often, it was just a self-deprecating joke or in-the-moment chuckle; one of those phrases you hear repeatedly and adopt as part of your own lexicon without learning or understanding the full context/history.
Many of us are familiar with the shortened version (the version I believe has a negative undertone to it): a jack of all trades is a master of none (or some form of this). However, the full version: a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one, was originally meant as a compliment!
After learning the full quote, and spending some time reflecting on it and how it pertains to me, I realize just how harmful it has been. While many mean no harm, the language you use when talking to yourself, and others, matters. Words can hurt. And the usage of these harmful words and phrases can have lasting effects.
“the shortened version omits the encouragement & uplifting that the full version provides”
Look at them again, side by side. Or whichever way they're formatted in your viewing device:
a jack of all trades is a master of none
a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one
You might see both as the same statement but the shortened version omits the encouragement & uplifting that the full version provides. The shortened version says to me that I shouldn't bother or I'll never be as good as someone that is considered a master while the full version says, keep at it, you could very well become better than a master.
Learning this has encouraged me to challenge some of the beliefs that were erroneously inserted regarding myself having a variety of interests & skills. On numerous occasions, I've thought, or said, how nice it would be to know only one thing and be able to focus strictly on that one thing; or to have fewer interests, or just to be able to decide on a goal to work towards and stick to it without anything else grabbing my attention. There's a lot of things that interest me and at times, my ability to decide is influenced by an outdated way of thinking. Which often leads to feeling guilty for wasting time or spreading myself too thin, which then results in feeling depressed. Rinse. Fucking repeat.
I've lost years of my life agonizing over trying to fit into a mold and suppressing interests rather than embracing them. I've forced myself to NOT do things that interest me because they seemingly have little to no value in the corporate world.
There's nothing wrong with being excited about learning new things, spending the time to learn those things, and then moving on to something else that excites you. As I've experienced, it's an ingredient for sadness to think that everything you do must generate some monetary value. Some things can be just for you. And those things should bring you happiness. On the journey of discovery, you just might be able to share the things you've learned with others; maybe you'll introduce them to their next favorite thing, find someone to collaborate with, or even provide just enough encouragement for that person to find their thing!
Rarely have I ever judged someone negatively based on the number of skills and/or interests they have. Yet, I've constantly done this to myself. Why? Believing you need to be good at one thing and one thing only, is an outdated way of thinking and I suspect multiple someone's from my past guilted & shamed me for having an interest in so much, the freedom to explore those interests, or ridiculed me for not sticking with a thing. The damage is done and I hope with whatever time I have remaining, I can begin to heal while embracing the curiosity and appetite for all that interests me. There's a lot I'd like to learn & do before my time is up.
This, in no way, is meant to disparage those that ARE a master at their whatever or those that stuck with one thing their entire life, but instead, meant to challenge the thinking that people should just focus on one thing or because I did it you should be able to as well. Humans are curious. That curiosity often leads to innovation, entertainment, or improving life for all. But not if it's stifled. Not if that curious human is shamed or guilted.
I look around and see remnants of past interests; projects and hobbies where my interest has fizzled out. Going forward, I'm going to look upon these relics and remember the joy (and excitement) they brought me rather than shaming myself for having lost interest. Much better to say, "I remember being super excited to squeeze the rubber chicken repeatedly for a funny video. That was fun." instead of, "I've only used that rubber chicken for one video, what a waste".
On a daily basis, I'm flooded with ideas that excite me, find something new to learn, and have varying levels of energy for current interests. And that's OK. I will continue to embrace new ideas and dive into the things that excite me.
“Some things can be just for you. And those things should bring you happiness.”
Don't try to fit into someone else's mold; embrace your interests and give yourself permission to learn & grow. Be kind to yourself, be kind to others, and be kind to nature.
