“Jack of all trades, master of none.” How many times have I heard this quote? How many times have I used it myself? Usually, the accompanying tone is a bit apologetic or self-deprecating, the unspoken emphasis on the obsession with mastery. 10,000 hours, isn’t that what is needed to even begin to get close to mastery?
I don’t think I have the ‘Mastery’ personality. I wish I did. There is a part of me, a bigger part than I would care to admit, that believes I would be so much more if I could attain Mastery. More accomplished, more interesting, more successful, just more. Mastery implies a seriousness, true commitment to something which in turn becomes a life.
Persistence, perseverance, and practice, the three P’s of Mastery.
I persist until I figure out all I need to know at that moment.
I persevered long after it would have been wiser to move on in some cases.
Practice: “practice makes perfect”, another common phrase in the canon of my upbringing. Perfection has too often led to procrastination.
Did you know that the full quote is:
“Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one”. William Shakespeare
All my life, I only knew the first part of the saying. Today, the meaning in its entirety revealed itself while gathering background for this post. I feel like dancing. Thank you, Mr. Shakespeare.
Playing basketball in Middle and High School for the fun of it, not because I wanted to become the best. The basket of wool and knitting needles waiting for me to become reacquainted. The NY Times recipes I start with the intention of following to the word, only to find myself improvising just because “why not?”. My eclectic taste in books, movies, art, clothing, food, you name it.
I have been released from the pursuit of Mastery because it is The way to be. Permission has been granted to try a bit, a bite of everything from the smorgasbord of life. Thank goodness, I stopped waiting for permission many years back.
The mastery I wish to practice is curiosity, creativity, and kindness.