“Master of None” - An 18th century add on to the original phrase, “jack of all trades”, both the original phrase of knowing something about a lot of different areas and the add on acknowledging the lack of expertise in any one area were meant as insults. It pointed to a lack of depth, a superficiality, a lack of focus and commitment needed to master a given area that forced one to dabble in many.
In today’s modern world, you could say this sentiment holds true. Everyone wants to be seen as the expert or authority on any given subject. CVs and signature blocks stacked with strings of letters meant to signify a growing list of often obscure credentials that make a person an expert in any given area. We seek the latest expert on social media, news outlets, books, and podcasts that will provide us the blueprint or hack to whatever we are trying to get better at or learn more of. To be an expert is to be valued, needed, sought after. You are the person who can give someone the answer they cannot or will not find for themselves.
And yet, my natural curiosity has seemingly always driven me away from specializing. I’m sure some might, as I have at times, categorized that to mean I have a lack of discipline, a lack of skill, a lack of commitment that it truly takes to specialize and be an expert in something. At the end of the day though, I look at it as my expertise. The ability to learn, grow, and expand into many different areas. It doesn’t mean I never commit myself to anything, it just means I don’t commit myself to any one thing and I think I am stronger for it.
A later add on to the phrase “jack of all trades, master of none” is “but oftentimes better than a master of one”. No doubt this is an addition by someone who likely approached the world more in line with my thinking, but it resonates for me. I view myself like a decathlete. I won’t be the best at any one discipline, but I’ll be pretty good at many of them. The master may thoroughly route me at their given specialty, but they will often not even know where to begin in so many other areas that I have become proficient in.
This Substack is meant to be a place where I can share about the areas I am passionate about with a focus mainly on health, fitness, and wellness. I am no expert in those areas. I don’t have any formal qualifications, certifications, or degrees. I do have the ability to learn quickly and discern efficiently the people who are the true experts and to help share those trustworthy voices in the space. I hope someone finds value in what I share, but mostly this is a space for me to connect with my passion and share about something I truly enjoy.