Specialist vs generalist:
The problem is it's easy to lie to yourself & say that you're a generalist when in reality you've tried a bunch of things and you've flaked out when things got hard and tried something else.
It's easy to do this repeatably & say "But I'm a generalist"
The problem is it's easy to lie to yourself & say that you're a generalist when in reality you've tried a bunch of things and you've flaked out when things got hard and tried something else.
It's easy to do this repeatably & say "But I'm a generalist"
One way to be a generalist is just quit whatever you're doing as soon as it gets difficult, but that's also a way to fail at everything you do.
You want to be at least great at one thing, and then apply that lens or skill to other categories.
You want to be at least great at one thing, and then apply that lens or skill to other categories.
Many ppl look like generalists but have also specialized.
Tyler Cowen says he specializes as a generalist, but he spent a couple decades going deep on economics.
Gladwell writes about lots of topics, but he's mastered the art of translating academic work for a mass audience.
Tyler Cowen says he specializes as a generalist, but he spent a couple decades going deep on economics.
Gladwell writes about lots of topics, but he's mastered the art of translating academic work for a mass audience.
Scott Adams strategy—find the intersection of 2-3 things you’re best at even if you’re not best at any—is good as a plan B, but not plan A.
It’s advice that will make you slightly above average, but not excellent.
Switch paths if unfruitful, but do try to be great at something.
It’s advice that will make you slightly above average, but not excellent.
Switch paths if unfruitful, but do try to be great at something.
At the very least, it's a test of whether you're a legitimate generalist or just someone who doesn't have a lot of grit & persistence.
