I'll keep this short (honestly) this time and not delve into a history of why I'm asking. Do you ever get bothered by not knowing as much about a subject, skill, trade, etc,. that you feel you should? Do you consider yourself a jack of all trades and a master of none, or are you truly a master of something in particular? Just curious.
It's good to be a subject matter expert in a field or a part of a field. Top that with general knowledge in other fields and you have made yourself marketable. I know in the last field I worked in the military, my expertise in that field assured me of a way to keep making some money after I retired.
Truth be known... I've always been a bit of an underachiever. It goes well with my procrastination. LOL That said,... I did somethings really really well in life. I never did any badly. I may not know the formulas to make the earth move.... but I've had enough common sense... to well... think wisely. I think it's common nature and good sense to know you don't have all the answers. No one does. Some have more answers than the others. It's the way it is. It all goes back to integrity, honor, duty or whatever nice catchy word you want to inject at the time. The smart man knows his limitations and shortcomings. If it's something he needs to know... he'll make the effort to learn. It's NEVER wise to fake it and make like you know. No harm in asking the questions or asking for help or guidance or saying... I don't know, but I'll get back to you on that. Bothered, sure... at times. But that's what makes you go find the answer. Saying I don't know is much easier than lying. You can say "I don't know" to much. That's a problem.
Occasionally. When it gets to me, I start digging in or finding an expert on the topic to provide assistance, info or coaching. I know a bunch of useless crap, a variety of other stuff and more than enough for what I'm actually paid to do.
Considering I paid $500 today to have wiring run and a ceiling fan installed. I know exactly what you're talking about
Here is the thing ....most of you guys can do wiring, plumbing, pipe, drain tile, masonry, and on and on if you would just do it. Fear keeps most of us from "stepping out of the boat" ... I can do anything ... but only because I will so anything ... so could you all .... now if I want to be great at something, I will do more of that thing as practice makes perfect Now if you are talking about being a Michael Jordan or Joe Montana, etc .... well, I have no talent that is above everyone...
I am a career firefighter and just about everyone at work was a plumber, carpenter, mechanic, arborist, electrician or in the military before they got the job in the fire dept. Not me, I went to college. Now I'm $65k deep in student loans and I have no trade to speak of. I can wire outlets, hang drywall, do some interior framing etc. but I wish I could do more. Not only would I benefit in my house, but believe it or not it makes a better firefighter.
I'm slowly getting good at quite a few things at work. Being a construction worker that does about everything, it comes with the job. I can frame a house, shingle like crazy, drywall, I know basic wiring, setting up and finishing concrete, etc... I can also do a mean demolition of a kitchen boss gave me a sledgehammer and said get to work Sent from my pocket computer using Tapatalk
I've learned a lot for free by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity over the past 25 or so years. You don't get the chance to work on masonary, electrical, plumbing or hvac , but you can learn just about anything else and you're benefiting somebody else--win:win in my book.
Jack of all trades and master of none. I'm currently remodeling our masterbath and its turning out great. Just finished tiling and grouting last weekend and it looks freakin' AWESOME. Not to toot my own horn but it looks like a professional job, probably better. I don't know how to do a lot of things but after A LOT of research, I dive in and the result is usually very good. Sometimes I wonder if "paying the man" would have been the way to go but when I complete a project...I can say that I built that. It's very rewarding as you know.
EXACTLY my point .... most folks are just afraid to try .... my advice to you guys is just do it! I think Obama would disagree with this statement
I use to think I was a jack of all trades and a master of none. I older I get the more I realize that I jacked up a bunch stuff that I though I knew what I was doing and was a master at it in my own mind... Seriously.. I have made my way through the daily grind by using good common sense and seeking out answers when I need them. I have also found that I am willing to pay to have things done now, just because I can afford it not becase I don't know how or can't do a task...
