In my somewhat brief stint as an “American worker” I’ve noticed a fatal flaw adapted by my generation (and by others, but maybe epitomized by the me, myself and I’s).   It’s one that I too am guilty of, because outwardly it seems to be a wonderfully practical thing.

I’m talking about that Jack of All Trades mentality that sometime gets misnomered as “Renaissance Man” that plagues and perpetuates our independent spirit.  The idea being that one can be great at many things; that an individual can single-handedly think, build and thrive on his or her own. (OK, maybe “fatal flaw” is an over-generalization or frankly, an unnecessary outcry, but the heart of the matter can be seen running ramped throughout the current workforce, in my most humble of opinions)

What lays in the wake is a set of individuals who are good at many things, but with that sought “greatness” never attained. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a person or two out there that has this prowess, the ability to be great at everything they do.  A true “entrepreneur” who can lead, manage, and works at everything better than the next John Q. Worker.  Oddly enough, you never hear from this guy (if you have somebody in mind who fits this mold, please feel free to leave their name below, and no, you can’t reference Da Vinci) .

We have case studies for this kind of thinking:  Whole college curriculums based on being good at everything.  Attend a university course on entrepreneurship and you find the building blocks of creating a business.  The ‘how-tos” on how to successfully manage and perpetuate your great idea, but with a substantial lack of effort on concentrating on your God-given ability.  I’m a frim believer that great companies, for that matter, great ideas are spawned from the experts, the specialists that dedicate their lives to a common need or goal, and surround themselves with the best people in necessary supplemental fields.

You can manage the books, manage your people and secure financing better than the rest of them, but without being that expert, that specialist in your field, that idea is doomed from the get go.

I had a few thoughts that echoed this sentiment a while back, and I still stringently believe in the need to become self-actualized.

So what are you great at and what might be worth of letting go (to free up time to expand on your greatness, of course)?

Man, how I envy the engineers and architects.

Peace.

mjb