One over many - Why specialise?
How many things can you be good at? Social media and technology, to some extent, have ruined the concept of specialization. They push you to master many things, to become superhuman, to achieve everything at once. A writer who is good at telling stories cannot excel at graphic design, yet he is pressured to do so, believing success won't come otherwise. We are all being forced to become horses that can run in all directions.
But why is it important to be excellent at one thing? So you can delve deep into that subject, find the pearl, and help the world with your insights. Richard Feynman is synonymous with physics because that’s what he dedicated his entire life to. His lectures are still consumed by ordinary people who want to learn physics. Feynman’s single-minded focus made him popular and continues to benefit mankind.
There is no harm in dipping your toes into many waters, but know that diving deeply into one is more rewarding. In the short term, being good at many things makes you feel powerful, independent, and utilitarian. Being dependent on no one is a liberating feeling, but there is a choice inherent in this decision that will affect you in the long term. This choice ensures that while you may be good at many things, you will never achieve mastery in one because you haven’t obsessed over it.
Short-term goals make you good; long-term goals make you great. What do you want to be?
A writer doesn’t have to be good at cover design, editing, and audience building. He can have functional knowledge of other things while continuing to dive deeper into the craft of writing. If everyone specializes in the things they love, the world can become a better place. As a novelist, if I need a cover for my book, I can approach someone who loves designing things for people. He loves it and has specialized in his craft. There is no shame in depending on someone who has dedicated his life to a craft. You know he will do it better than anyone because he has gained an insight into this craft that others won’t have.
Specialization is a sign of obsession with a craft, to the point where you are willing to explore depths where only a few have been. This leads to developing unique insights, a refreshed approach, and a distinctive style of tackling the same problem. If you aren’t obsessed with any craft, you won’t tolerate failures, and you’ll break down. Going beyond failures and acquiring the pearl of wisdom requires a certain amount of obsession.
Obsessing over a craft, overlooking failures and wins, is how you achieve specialization.
This would never be possible if you were a directionless horse chasing every shiny object, losing heart at every failure. If you truly love something, become a master of it.