This is something I've grappled with for years, Petra. In today's era, we are being told to focus on one thing only and go all in on one niche. There are examples of those who have great success focusing on one singular vision, and to be fair to them, that is true.
However, in my experience teaching guitar to adult students, many of them have told me that they somewhat regret not having played guitar or music earlier in their lives. Some of them will tell me they wished they had tried more things.
I think having a singular reason as to why you do what you do is important, but I get the feeling that if you try your hand at many things, even if you don't have great success, you will feel prouder and more content with your life.
I think at the end of the day, there are many ways to go through life, and if people are content with what they’re doing and achieving, and it happens in a more linear way, more power to them.
But it’s also true that those of is who go through the more spiral development I’ve described are still eyed with suspicion, and I guess it turns into a vicious cycle for some. Because even if they feel, in their bones, that something isn’t right, they will often override that feeling because “everyone said so”. When really, it’s not a weakness to say, “I have more than one interest I want to pursue, also professionally.” But then you get stuff like “Jack of all trades, master of none,” thrown at you. Which shows another thing that irks me: the ingrained belief that there is such a thing as mastery or perfection in the sense of “arriving” or “completion”. What if the path is what matters, not the destination? And what, even if we never arrive, we still have more than enough to give to others?
Petra I feel like I could’ve written this about myself, you have described so much of my current and past life experience. I’m glad to know there are other people like you out there, and I’m learning to fully embrace exactly who I am and make no apologies for it just as you are. Thanks for sharing this post.
Thanks Brian, I've come to the realization that we never quite "figure things out". Each chapter of life brings new challenges, new opportunities, and new growth, so never quite "arrive". We certainly grow, process, resolve, heal, and graduate from certain phases, but there's always something new happening in the subsequent chapter.
When I was younger I longed for a time where I would "make it" whatever that means, and then experience smooth sailing from that point on. Well that day never came, and I think it was the wrong way to look at things. Instead I've learned to expect and even enjoy this ever evolving process of growth and change.
This is something I've grappled with for years, Petra. In today's era, we are being told to focus on one thing only and go all in on one niche. There are examples of those who have great success focusing on one singular vision, and to be fair to them, that is true.
However, in my experience teaching guitar to adult students, many of them have told me that they somewhat regret not having played guitar or music earlier in their lives. Some of them will tell me they wished they had tried more things.
I think having a singular reason as to why you do what you do is important, but I get the feeling that if you try your hand at many things, even if you don't have great success, you will feel prouder and more content with your life.
I think at the end of the day, there are many ways to go through life, and if people are content with what they’re doing and achieving, and it happens in a more linear way, more power to them.
But it’s also true that those of is who go through the more spiral development I’ve described are still eyed with suspicion, and I guess it turns into a vicious cycle for some. Because even if they feel, in their bones, that something isn’t right, they will often override that feeling because “everyone said so”. When really, it’s not a weakness to say, “I have more than one interest I want to pursue, also professionally.” But then you get stuff like “Jack of all trades, master of none,” thrown at you. Which shows another thing that irks me: the ingrained belief that there is such a thing as mastery or perfection in the sense of “arriving” or “completion”. What if the path is what matters, not the destination? And what, even if we never arrive, we still have more than enough to give to others?
Petra I feel like I could’ve written this about myself, you have described so much of my current and past life experience. I’m glad to know there are other people like you out there, and I’m learning to fully embrace exactly who I am and make no apologies for it just as you are. Thanks for sharing this post.
I'm so happy for you, Dave - I love your pen name as well. It perfectly sums up what I think is the key to a satisfying, or at least, rewarding life.
Being an octopus where you try many things, and even if some aren't working, there will be other things that are.
We all have to wear many hats in our lives, and we have to juggle many plates with 6 extra imaginary arms.
Why do we have to figure things out by 25 or 30 or 40? Why can't we just keep figuring it out?
Is it because that person over there "figured it out?"
Or is it because if you figure it out, then it helps others feel better about their lack of "figuring it out?"
Go figure, am I right?
Thanks Brian, I've come to the realization that we never quite "figure things out". Each chapter of life brings new challenges, new opportunities, and new growth, so never quite "arrive". We certainly grow, process, resolve, heal, and graduate from certain phases, but there's always something new happening in the subsequent chapter.
When I was younger I longed for a time where I would "make it" whatever that means, and then experience smooth sailing from that point on. Well that day never came, and I think it was the wrong way to look at things. Instead I've learned to expect and even enjoy this ever evolving process of growth and change.
Yes to all of this! Society needs a serious creative cure from this problem of keeping people in boxes and making them stay there indefinitely.
Well said, my friend! And I needed to be reminded of these very things.