How easy is it to master any field you want to specialise in? And is it crucial to gain mastery in one particular field to succeed, whether in starting a small business or growing your career?
Robert Greene writes in his book Mastery that:
“Mastery is not a function of genius or talent. It is a function of time and intense focus applied to a particular field of knowledge.”
Mastery allows you to achieve true greatness in any field.
So, if you want to become a video editor, writer, or hairdresser, and this is truly what you desire, learning the ropes, building your skill set with focus and dedication, will eventually lead to mastery and success. This translates into more opportunities and business growth.
However, Scott Adams, in How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, provides another perspective. He built the famous comic Dilbert by developing a portfolio of mediocre skills, in his own words. Adams writes,
“Recapping my skill set: I have poor art skills, mediocre business skills, good but not great writing talent, and an early knowledge of the Internet. And I have a good but not great sense of humor. I’m like one big mediocre soup. None of my skills are world-class, but when my mediocre skills are combined, they become a powerful market force.”
In a fast-changing world where new technology can render jobs and businesses obsolete while opening new opportunities, the question remains: should you focus deeply on one field to achieve mastery or build a portfolio of skills to create a successful career?
I believe both are important. I spent many years in academia specialising in philosophy. But to navigate uncertainty and attract more opportunities, I expanded my skill set to include storytelling, marketing, and basic web development. This helped me build a small business and opened doors in other fields like marketing.
You may love one subject and aim to excel in it. You can spend time mastering this field, improving through trial and error until you become an expert. But it's also important to develop additional skills that give you a competitive edge and help you stand out. Combining these skills can create something unique, just like Scott Adams did with his comic.
Perhaps, therein lies true mastery (?)
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