Why We Should Embrace Becoming a Master of None
Creatives thrive on variety.
We’re fueled by the potential of our imaginations.
And some might say we spend too much time up in the clouds.
But I say our passion to do better and our curiosity to try new things are exactly what the world needs more of.
A Jack of All Trades
Have you ever hear the phrase, “A jack of all trades is a master of none”?
I’m sure you have. If not though, no worries. Here’s a refresher:
In simplest terms, the phrase “Jack of All Trades” refers to someone who knows many different things at a surface level. Often used in a derogatory way, the phrase implies that the “jack of all trades” (or Generalist) is at a disadvantage to those who pursue Mastery.
Recently though, I found another version of the phrase that changed everything for me and it goes like this:
“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”
Upon a very scientific dive into the recesses of Wikipedia, I began to see the bigger picture. Although hotly debated by many, the basic phrase appears to have originated as an insult made by Robert Greene against William Shakespeare. The second part of the phrase, however, was an addition made later in the 20th Century.
And to be honest, I love it.
Something clicked when I read the revised phrase for the first time. For me, it was a mic drop moment.
Earlier in my career, I had looked down on being too much of a Generalist (aka a “Master of None”). I thought that by only understanding my profession at a surface level, I’d be at a disadvantage—unable to advance my position.
But being a Generalist doesn’t mean being lazy or unaware. It means being curious. And that curiosity compounds to make us stronger over time.
The Master of One
I’m not going to lie. There’s something romantic about becoming the Master Craftsperson, the one who lives and breathes what they do. I think of Jiro from the 2011 documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi.
Jiro spent his entire life meticulously pursuing the creation of the perfect serving of sushi. He didn’t waiver. He didn’t stop.
The Master knows one thing very well. They can explain their craft in their sleep, perform the work blindfolded.
But they’re also limited by the parameters of their craft. They’re bound to play within the lines. They are focused, but sometimes too much so.
With revised phrase in hand and several years of pursuing a fulfilling creative career, I saw Generalism with a fresh perspective.
What if by knowing many different things at a surface level or better, we actually made our creative potential better?
Embrace a Generalist Mindset
As an Architect, I’m not just a designer.
I’m a project manager.
I’m an entrepreneur.
I’m a mentor.
I’m a builder.
I’m a psychologist.
I’m a scientist.
I’m an artist.
I’m a writer.
I’m a marketer.
I’m a technologist.
I’m an advocate.
I’m a creative.
To be clear—I’m not literally all of those things. But I need to know enough about each of them to do my job well.
The same can be said of almost any creative pursuit.
Whether an Artist or a Designer, expanding our horizons beyond the literal definition of our craft will naturally make us better at that craft. It will add color and tone to our basic skillset.
To be fair, there is value in being a Master. We need Masters to pursue their trades and to teach their trades to the next generation. Their pursuits expand the limits of what is possible.
Embracing a Generalist mindset doesn’t mean becoming any less professional than our Masterful counterparts. It simply means that we can pivot into other directions as our careers evolve with the pace our creative lives.
I’m not the same person I was in High School. Hell, I’m not the same person I was a year ago. Being a Generalist means that I can continue to pursue the changes in my life on my own terms.
Generalists can play where they want to. They make the rules as they go.
Becoming a Master of None
Regardless of the creative pursuit we each start from, we can choose to expand our skills, to get curious, and to have fun by saying “Yes” to the Generalist Mindset.
Here are three major reasons to become a Master of None.
Generalists are limited only by their imagination.
Generalists can pivot to other skills, trades, or careers.
Generalists understand and appreciate the pursuits of others.
Mastery of One has its place, but it isn’t for everyone. Professions don’t occur within a vacuum and there are certainly reasons to specialize. Mastery of One could allow us to pursue the things we love and never look back.
But for most of us Creatives, that level of focused passion is hard to come by. We thrive on the unknown because we want to harness that creative potential and use it to build something of our own.
Being a Master of None may sound scary, but it’s one of the best ways to forge the future we want on our own terms.
Until next week, here are links to what I’ve been working on and treasures I’ve found out in the creative wilderness.
Enjoy!
Recent Finds
Simple Sum — Every Goal Needs a Plan. What’s Yours? (IG Post) | This post is awesome. I happened upon the Simple Sum account by accident and was blown away by how inspiring the work is. In this part-lesson, part-comic strip, we find ourselves on an adventure to become Ghostbusters. 👻 It’s not easy to follow our goals. There will be trials. We will stumble. But over time, we’ll pass milestones and inch our way closer to our dreams. Want to be inspired? Check this out.
Ness Labs — The Zwicky Box: A Powerful Method for Problem Solving and Creativity (Type) | Another top-tier post from Ness Labs. Named after the scientist who discovered dark matter, Fritz Zwicky, the “Zwicky Box” is a simple tool to quickly generate a large amount of ideas. I love this idea because it helps us get past the “writer’s block” mentality and gets us moving in a direction. The Zwicky Box is also extremely flexible and can be used as a tool for brainstorming, problem-solving, creative projects, and daily decisions. A must-read article.
Ryan Holiday — What Is Memento Mori? (Explained In 5 Minutes) (YouTube) | I’ve mentioned before that I carry around a coin that says Memento Mori on it (a shout out to the one from Daily Stoic). Memento Mori roughly translates to ‘remember you must die.’ It’s a reminder that time is fleeting and that each of us needs to seize the time we have. As Ryan says, “By the time we realize we’ve been taking time for granted, it’s too late.” If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of Memento Mori, I highly recommend this brief video because it’s changed how I live my life and I hope it will give you perspective in yours.
Quote of the Week
“By the way, if you’re not happy now, there’s no sports car, amount of followers, bust size, promotion, social media feedback or material possession that is going to fundamentally change that.
External validation isn’t happiness.
Happiness is an inside job.”
— Steven Bartlett
That's all for now.
Stay creative, my friends—and have a great week!
