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I grew up hearing the popular quote: “Jack of all trades is a master of none.” The implication is that for a person to be exceptional at a particular job, it must be the only thing they are doing.

I have always struggled to focus on just one thing. At various times, I have found myself learning different skills, from design to data analytics, and working in different industries that are worlds apart from each other. I once moved from being a teacher to being an operations supervisor in an event company.

All of this hopping around felt like a problem. So, recently I sought out solutions by organising a workshop called; ‘Who Am I? Finding Me, Knowing Me, and Maximising Me.’ During a discussion at the workshop, I heard people say for the first time that it is fine to be a Jack of all trades. It might even be a positive.

This prompted me to go back and research the original quote, which comes from Shakespeare. It turns out the full quote actually reads:

“Jack of all trades master of none, though oftentimes better than master of one.”

I wonder who it was that first took out the rest of this beautiful quote? I would like to ask them if they feared challenges?

In today’s world, where things move extremely fast, it is an amazing quality to be able to do different things. So, stop beating yourself up for not having a ‘focus’ yet. Give yourself some accolades if you do multiple jobs or possess skills from more than one field.

Don’t worry if you spend time learning a course only to move on with a sudden enthusiasm to another course shortly afterwards. Your talent may also be different from your passion and your job, and that is okay too. It is fine for you to know how to sing, to be passionate about improving health and to also be working as a Customer Care Officer at a restaurant. All of these, while being at your best!

With time, you will make the most of your potential. You will also become more confident. You will find yourself being able to specialise in something. This is not because you lack focus. Instead, it is because you have tried many things and after exploring your different potential, you can now choose what you want to master.

So, the next time you fret about being a jack of all trades, remember that quote in full. Yes, you can be a Digital Marketer, a Content Writer, a Graphic Designer and, in your leisure time, a Photographer. Of course you are a Jack of all trades! But relax, you are not a “Master of None”. You are phenomenal!

Similoluwa Adefioye is a Masters's Student of International Education and Development. She enjoys writing and utilising the pen for the benefit of others. When not writing, she is either working as an International Educator, representing international students within and outside Sussex or advocating for Gender Equality as one of the UN Women UK CSW 68 delegates. 

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