I wrote my first guest post last week for a great blog by Alexander Heyne, a 20 something motivating 20 somethings with hardcore advice and a come-along-and-fly-with-me spirit. I really like this kid, and it’s a treat to have a youngster invite me to write for his peeps. (See I’m talking like one of them, albeit about 10 years behind on my jargon.)
Let me get you started with this question.
Why are you trying to do so many things?
Even if you can pull off better-than-average results, who really cares if you are pretty good at a bunch of stuff? Top graduate schools aren’t looking for well-rounded students. The best jobs aren’t given to people who stretch themselves thin and wide. Besides, trying to do too many things usually leads to sucking at most of them and chasing mediocrity like a dog chasing it’s tail.
In contrast, some good evidence points to higher job and life satisfaction when you focus on developing a few rare, valuable skills. You’ll get better opportunities to work with better people doing better things.
You stand out when you kick ass, but kicking ass requires mastery, focus, and the ability to respond which are impossible when you do too much.
So, why not kick ass at something and stop sweating the rest?
[Read on, and let Alexander know what you think.]