What’s wrong with being a “Jack-of-All-Trades”? | John Halpin | TEDxSainteAnnedeBellevue 

I literally cry inside everyday for having such passion for different things. From where I come it's all about making money or else you will homeless the very next month. I graduated as an aeronautical engineer but I love to dance, sketch, edit videos, code, learn martial arts and lots and lots of stuff. I feel it's a curse to show interest for whatever I see. I can't take such risks for there is a family depending on my earnings. I felt lost. Atleast this video gave me hope.

“The complete saying was originally “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” Formerly intended as a compliment, the phrase means that a person is a generalist rather than a specialist, versatile and adept at many things.”

"Jack of trades, master of none; but oftentimes better that than master of one"

I'm trying to learn good art, learn japanese, learn psychology, develop my longboarding skills, and pursue my musical aspirations at the same time. I often get called a jack of all trades, I'm "good" at a lot of things, but I have almost nothing I'm amazing at. I'm both proud and discouraged, but it comforts me that usually people can think of me as "oh, well they'd know, they've got a little bit of interest in everything"

this video don't have much viewers. that means. we are rare species. I have similar problem. I want to learn everything with one life.

I get bored at something when I'm getting good at it then find another thing to learn again. It came to the point that I get bored on everything. I don't know what to do anymore

I want to be a singer, song composer, writer, psychologist, therapist, philosopher, researcher, meditator, gardener, professor. The list just keeps going on.

Me, a software engineer, visual novelist, song writer, project manager, self-taught japanese speaker and systems architect: So I am not a weirdo

That song at the end. Really motivated a broken young man. Thank u tedx.

It's a blessing and a curse forsure! I feel very diversified in my interests which does keep things exciting but can also be expensive. I feel like jack of all trades type people can be indecisive especially in the modern day with so many options. This trickles into so many aspects of daily life. Music. I like many types of individual songs but very rarely do I like a band or an entire album. Clothing. I've never had one set "style". Just wearing whatever the weather or the situation called for. Then hobbies in general is the craziest. I just wanna do everything! I wanna go hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, golfing, dirtbiking, mountain biking, making art, making music, photography, cooking, researching, the list goes on

"I want to learn every fuckin thing before I die"~Ajay

Sir I am veterinarian and now in the tax administration and further want to move towards leadership.before seeing this video I was cursing myself for not focusing on one career but now I also want to be one of the Renaissance Hero..Thank u sir..The Leonardo The Vinci is my all time favourite

It's hard for me to choose a career since I know a lot of things. It's like I laid down the foundation to learn everything but I only can choose one

Being a Jack of all trades ensures you never have to pay retail, be at the whim of unscrupulous merchants, mechanics, or technicians. When you can make, repair and easily acquire your needs, there is great freedom. You can have one career, but still, become a JOAT. You can have many careers and still not be a JOAT.

Great story. Thank you for your sharing! I felt so much better now

I feel hopeless everyday , I love to do so many things . I love to cook,work out ,tattoo,build stuff,draw,sculpt,photography,cars,electronics,fix things and more but I always feel like I need to make up my mind and find a steady and boring job that’s gonna pay for my bills. I don’t want to be like that , I want to be happy, I want to go out and enjoy the world . But I know that’s not gonna pay the bills. I like to see that theirs more people here on this video that feel the same way.

That song at the end is just what I needed today.

I am indeed not alone. I have a great passion for cooking, more importantly, I wanna learn culinary skills. I am Chemistry Tutor mainly but capable of teaching Science and Math as well. I love writing, hence I do write some blogs and short poems and tales. I am a Quality specialist and content strategist by profession. I am drawn towards Data analysis these days. I love learning new languages. I know English + 4-5 Indian Languages and am learning French currently. I also aspire to be an IAS officer (Indian Administrative Officer). I thought I am a big mess for not knowing what I wanna do. But just today I realized that there is nothing wrong with being a Jack of all trades! I learned to sing and dance too when I was young, I was also an athlete and a fair volleyball player back at school. I am learning psychology. I have a keen interest in making things, like wealth out of waste. I can do embroidering and sewing too. I am a person with whom you can talk about anything and everything. I would either have something to say or rather listen and learn. Both are equally good right?!

one day I told my father about my interests,he smiled and told me,so you wanna be a jack of all trades and master of none.yes I am 18 already a teacher,write,sing,learning martial arts,sewing, learnin new languages,cooking,psychology,gardening,making things,sketch,am interested in medical science,songwriting the list just goes on....

I often think, I live only once... why limit my self to something? I want to try everything, I want lo learn everything from cleaning rooms to going to space to building rooms to making clothes to creating an AI to building a software I just want to try everything before I die, I don't have an interest in everything but I have multiple interest, and sadly I can't do them all or I won't get a good job, lucky enough I might be able to turn many of them in to hobbies and one of them in a life time hobby (work)

Once when i was a kid i told a neighbor of mine that i wanted to learn English (my native language is Spanish) and how to build computers (there was no internet back then in my country therefore i couldn't learn by myself) . Then ,he said : ''dont be a jack of all trades! Focus on one thing!'' , i believed in his words just to realized many years later that he was completely wrong! You cannot count on other people all the time to do things for you! . What would happen if you had a flat tire in the middle of the highway? Who is going to replace it? If you wanna buy a new graphic card , who is going to insert it inside the graphic card slot? What if you dont know how to open your PC case and clean it? If you dont know how to use a computer, How are you supposed to buy online ,work and send emails ? Seriously some weeks ago i met a man who didnt know how to use a computer and he was not even that old . It's the freaking year 2020 dude! So with all these things considered: I want to become fluent at the English language and if possible i wanna learn german too. I want to become a traditional and digital artist and learn how to animate too . I want to learn more about technology and how to build PCs and robots ( i love robots) I wan to play the guitar and sing ( even produce my own music on my computer) And finally i want to learn how to make crafts , like an artificial bonsai , landscapes , etc. Those are the things that i want and i don't really care what other people may say .

We can specialise in one thing, and at the same time know how to repair things.. play a game.. be a mentor to someone.. take care of a small farm..😆

I'm good at everything, best at nothing lmfao

Wow, it was really awesome watching this, was a blessing and and awesome motivation. Planning to start up my RU-vid channel.

I can't believe theere so many people in these comments that resonate with me... I want to do too many things in one lifetime but I feel as if it's impossible because the expectation is that you'll choose one career to be good at for life and that's it. At least now I know it's possible to jump from career to career and learn new things along the way.

I can paint, play multiple instruments, played many sports and games, I can write lyrics, articles and essays, I can cook different traditional foods ,I speak 3 languages, yet I'm still broke🤣

Making money in modern environment is the toughest skill for us JOATs. I suggest we come up with new fields blending our multiple aptitudes and become masters of these new fields. Which would be quite easy as we would be the first and probably one of the few to step into the new territory. Yes I’m talking about entrepreneurship. I don’t see any other way to survive in this climate. For example I’m a graphic artist (I create neo ethnic patterns) and a decent designer (web and graphic), I produce a weekly podcast, and do a blog thing. I also maintain my own web site by myself. Graphics, radio/music, and writing - I’ve been keen on these since the very childhood, tried to focus on web design in my 20s but found out I couldn’t live without my passions so I got back to my roots. Being a JOAT requires quite a leap of faith at some point. Money is the most important problem for me. Was and still is. But I’m working on it. Basically I’m a media producer. I know how to create a strong brand and I have an ability of conceptual thinking. I want to become an art director. Film, music albums, podcasts, it doesn’t matter, I can get the job done. If I don’t have enough skills I’m sure I’ll find the best specialist out there. Nothing can substitute the joy of merging your interests into something fresh. And I know I’m living my life to the fullest and doing the right thing. Why? Because my lifestyle aligns with my soul’s purposes and desires. I know I’m always capable of more than I imagine and I will never stop no matter what. «The voices keep on calling me…»

Best song, I ever heard, uplifting and motivating, we need a new genre of music for this type of songs!

I became a Jack of All Trades out of necessity...nobody would hire me for what I'm really good at, so I had to go out and do a whole lot of other things, that have made incredible contributions to what I'm really good at, that limitless employers don't see as incredibly remarkable and highly valuable. Oh well, their loss!!!

I’m a qualified mechanic, builder, boat captain, fire fighting captain, guitarist, rainforest regenerator and still learning at 77. I find it hard to understand people who are unable people to do basic things. I find great joy in passing on my skills and knowledge to other people.

I needed this. Thank you.

“The complete saying was originally “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”

Very inspiring!!! I am motivated to try new trades!!!

Actually surprisingly profound THANK YOU

I ve been an entrepreneur, bureaucrat, musician, and academician..

This lifted yearsssss of weight from my mind and I think my soul !! :) Thank you Thank you Thank You

i am here because i am literally searching and reflecting about myself, ive been both discouraged and motivated, motivated coz i got alot of plans and goals to do, discouraged coz it seems i cant do stuffs perfect enough, i felt like im slow or i lack at knowledge in work as software engineer, tho im good at analysis with issues and making solutions, yet i felt like dont have much knowledge whem i try to compare myself with others with same years of exp in programming, i felt like im not good as them. i read a post, on quora maybe, they said being master of one is aimimg to be part of society where you work together as team coz u need to depend on others expertise, while being jack of all trades aims to work as one man team, or alone doing a team task, well it kinda true for me since i always find annoying when there miscomunications or nisunderstandings on team work

What a gem

This is beautiful!

i am not amazing at something but i can do anything good but nothing perfectly

feels like home❤️

I am proud to be a jack of all trades tho. Not many people could master all things easily. I also can’t call myself master of none because if I choose one thing, I will master that one thing better than the one mastering that one thing.

I'll definitely write a post about this debatable topic on midasthoughts

Anthropology, to me, is an excellent example of a jack of all trades field. Anything related to humans, which is the whole planet, is studied. The main difference between how Anthropology differs from other fields like art, politics, and history is perspective. Anthropology focuses on seeing how humans connect to all the various pieces in the world and how their connection has impacted and change over time. It is important to understand how something works so you can begin to ask why. But given how we are not immortal and have a limited amount of time we can't dedicate time to study and know everything. So jack of all trades and masters of one need each other to understand the world, the jack of all trades may offer new perspectives and connections between numerous fields whereas the master of one will know more about the depths in their field

"Thank you Sir. 🌹Your, words scared me a bit. Is not Almighty God, forgiving?" 😞 "Stay blessed." Thank You.

I love this man

I am not the best or exceptionally good at even one thing but am literally always ok to good at everything actual jack of trades

What is the name of the song he sang?

Love it!

I spent 32 years of my life in school. Im now retired and my best year was less than $38,000. Where i went wrong was chasing the dollar. And i never created a network of contacts. Because no one ever told me. I've traveled across this country looking for the perfect job. And everytime i moved i became a ghost. No one ever became aware of all the skills i pocessed. O had a friend who was a high school drop out. He's 8 years younger than me and makes a 6 figure income. My social security check is less than $1200/ month. Maybe ill do better in the next life

"you can not hold everything, but that does not mean that you can only hold one thing" -flarxe

I’ve been there, done that. Making a transition as you speak.

I have been living in Germany for 21 years, 🙄 I have lots of experience and a High school diploma plus some college. I have an equivalent of a Hauptschul Abschlus. Basicly 9th grade plus. I learned German in Germany, so I didn't learn that in school. So I don't have the equivalent of a carrier chance here. I find it almost ridiculous how I am informed that I can only work in a factory or low paying job. I am often surprised that being a native English speaker, I can't get a job because it's not fair for the German employers to have to compete with me if I got a job that requires English.

beautiful

What about mastering one first after that becoming jack of all trade?

Great video

All this guy said was "its okay to be a jack of all trades, just have multiple careers for the rest of your life" no i want to find purpose and not just settle down for one or multiple jobs. This guy literally just told the audience about himself to flex.

My first time hearing "Jack of all trades, master of none", so I searched it up, the phrase is so familiar

Lol, Johnny Sins is the greatest Jack of All Trades HAHAHAHA

I want to be a aerospace engineer, astrophysicist, cuber , mathematician, artist, ukelelist, journalist, volleyball player and read lots and lots and lots of books. Is that too much to ask for? The list will probably keep updating..

The problem is, folks don't know the whole saying: _Jack of all trades and master of none, is often times better than master of one._

I’m not going to lie, I went from “Oh no this dude is not actually going to sing is he” to, “holy cow this old man can SING”

god bless you

Around 230 I don't think was joke lol but also understand why it's funny.

Amazing good work your friend see you around my home

IMO I'm also interested in a lot of things. But just choose one or two as your main source of income and never ending improvement and the rest as just for fun and nothing serious ( means you don't have to master it , it's just a break time from your main ). If you devout attention and try to be a master at 10 different things you won't go far. Just pick a main and have at least basics in the rest .

I am an electrical engineer...... Coder, Spary paint artist, mandolinist, documentry film maker, Multilinguist, traveller, writer and want to become a photographer and DJ..... Am I allowed to live in this society???

I found myself, i thought i was the only one...

Vert Nice ted ! He sounds a little bit like Jim Rohn

I honestly never agreed with that saying when I first heard it. A phrase like that implies that you can't master multiple things and gives the Jack of all trades a negative connotation. I believe that in the human mind, nothing is impossible so when hearing a phrase like that, it tries to limit what you can do, and it shouldn't be said to the up and coming youth in the future.

Im going into 11th grade and I still dont know what I want to do 😔

If you are a jack of al trades, you are far more likely to survive etc then a person who is lets say very good at singing, or playing music instrument or maybe a mechanic that can fix a car like no other. Get them on an island and they will die from starvation while jack of all trades will build a hut and some weapons to hut, kill and eat. It wont be the best hut in the world, he wont be the 1 shot kill hunter and his meal wont be the best, but he will have it all.

If you can do just about every job halfassed then you are a one eyed man in a blind man's world

We all encountered this pandemic and this kind of jack of trades make it into life

I am a pro wrestler and I have had over 30 plus jobs of different types to support me. Most of my problems are in my head and people dont understand.

Passion with being jack of all trades is better than working without interest as masters in one 😊

A jack of all trades can trump anything in life.

2:47 LOL

I love this. I am a Jack!

Why comment when you know there will be No constructive criticism? Good luck peoples!

Jack of all trades but the master of one... !

Well... i guess i am jack at none, master at none

So has anyone succeeded better with being a jack of all trades?

7:29

All I wanna be good at is, Logic, Physics, Maths, Programming, and human behaviour mastering, is that too much? D;

Im just here to have my 50th existential crisis about having too many hobbies 😬

Actually we humans have such a unique brain that we r supposed to be versatile. We have excelled compared to the other species becoz of our imagination..... so y just limit ourselves to one particular field /thing???..... that would be total injustice!!!! Plus some good wise soul has said - specialization is for insects not for humans. 💯💯✔️✔️

20m subs 2.3k views?Um..hello?

"Experience"

I always thought that being a jack of all trades is a bad thing

I agree with the gist of the video (being a person that actually changed careers), but this guy is a world-class bsitter. He says he had 8 careers, but he really had only one since all his jobs were based on engineering. Music from what I gather from what he said is a hobby. It's weird that he gives advice when he didn't incorporate this during his life. Looks like a mid age crisis for me.

aaaand..... ONE MORE TIME!!!!!!!! :-D!!!

jack of all trades, master of .. none, king of.. nothing, saviour of.. no one.

Not very good at any one specific skill but medium good at many serperate things

This applies to everyone, but, bussiness mans

He is more like master of all trades

When I think of a jack of all trades I think of kakashi from Naruto

Jack of trades and a master of some

Man is definitely an INTP

How did he get all of those jobs without being highly qualified?