The idea of being confined to a single career and deprived of the opportunity to explore other interests should scare you, if it doesn’t already. You have multiple interests and skills, but society often pressures us to specialise, to pick one career path to follow for life. This specialisation can consume our identity, leaving little room for anything else. When your life consists of the same thing over and over again, it loses its zest.

What is a Generalist?

A generalist is a diverse and interesting sovereign artist; a free person who acts on their interests and engages in various pursuits throughout their life. You want to read, write, learn a language, and master your fitness. You may not know what career to choose, but you are interested in or have tried multiple skillsets that, if combined correctly, can provide leverage in maintaining a fulfilling and dynamic generalist life.

The Benefits of Being a Generalist

1. Flexibility: Adapting to changes in career or personal interests becomes easier.
2. Adaptability: Possessing a broad skill set allows you to tackle a variety of challenges.
3. Continuous Growth: Constantly learning new things keeps life exciting and enriching.

Applying the Generalist Mindset: Hobbies and Business Skillsets

In this weekly digest, we explore how to apply the generalist mindset at two connected levels - personal hobbies and business skillsets. We’ll conclude with three inspiring case studies, including a modern example.

Curiosity: The Generalist’s Compass

Curiosity is the compass that guides a generalist. When it comes to hobbies, pick projects that let you explore and delve into your current interests. Here’s my current list - short but effective:

• Writing: Allows me to read and write about my interests.
• Fitness: I hit the gym or run most mornings.
• Philosophy, Psychology, Human Nature: I am intrigued by the way people behave and understanding this from a psychological or philosophical view.

Creating Your Talent Stack

Become a writer, designer, marketer, runner, bodybuilder, painter, public speaker - whatever your curiosity pulls you towards. Think outside of traditional constructs to build your talent stack - a unique combination of skills, passions, and interests. This zone, once leveraged, puts you in your own niche.

Skills All Generalists Should Build:

1. Self-Education: You can teach yourself almost anything. Learning how to learn is crucial.
2. Reading: Teach yourself new subjects. The wisdom of many who came before you has been distilled for you to consume and apply.
3. Storytelling: Connect with others through compelling narratives.
4. Design: Express your interests and curiosity outwardly.

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Managing Multiple Interests

The trap of the generalist is trying to do everything and ending up moving nowhere. Your focus is split across multiple interests, making it difficult to make significant progress in any one area. You need to balance breadth with depth.

Strategies for Balancing Interests:

1. Create a Hierarchy of Interests: Not all interests will hold equal weight at all times. Think of your interests in phases, where certain pursuits take precedence while others are maintained at a more casual level.
2. Focus on Mastery: Aim to achieve a level of mastery in a few key areas rather than being mediocre at many.
3. Integrate Interests: Look for ways to integrate your interests. For example, combining writing and philosophy provides an avenue to consolidate your readings by creating your own thoughts influenced by philosophy.
4. Be Selective: Realize that you cannot master everything. Identify your core interests to prioritise now and pursue secondary interests when time and resources permit.

We can achieve everything, just not at once - the video below provides a year-long overview of effort/prioritisation on core

interests/skills and secondary interests. I want to write all the time, hence it is at the top of my hierarchy. Sport wise, I can prioritise bodybuilding until I reach my goal, then increase calisthenics practice as that is where I would like

to peak. Running is more of a casual activity and so is least prioritised and I am okay with not being an elite runner.

Case Studies on the Art of the Generalist

Case Study 1: Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci is often hailed as the quintessential Renaissance man due to his diverse interests and expertise across multiple disciplines. His life and achievements provide an inspiring example for modern generalists.

Fields of Expertise:

1. Art: Famous Works: Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, Vitruvian Man. Contributions: Revolutionized portrait painting and developed techniques such as sfumato and chiaroscuro.
2. Science and Anatomy: Conducted detailed anatomical studies and produced numerous anatomical drawings.
3. Engineering and Invention: Designed early concepts of the helicopter, parachute, and armored vehicle.
4. Mathematics: Used mathematical principles to enhance his art and engineering projects.

Integration of Interests: Leonardo’s diverse skills intersected, such as using his anatomical knowledge to create more realistic art.

Lessons for Modern Generalists:

• Curiosity-Driven Learning: Leonardo’s insatiable curiosity drove him to explore and master various fields.
• Interdisciplinary Approach: He integrated knowledge from different domains to enhance his work in each area.
• Persistence: Despite numerous unfinished projects, his relentless pursuit of knowledge led to significant contributions across fields.

Case Study 2: Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, exemplified the power of a generalist mindset through his diverse contributions to science, politics, and society.

Fields of Expertise:

1. Science and Innovation: Conducted experiments with electricity and invented the lightning rod, bifocal glasses, and the Franklin stove.
2. Literature and Journalism: Published Poor Richard’s Almanack and founded the Pennsylvania Gazette.
3. Politics and Diplomacy: Played a crucial role in drafting the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution and served as an ambassador to France.
4. Philosophy and Social Activism: Advocated for education, civic responsibility, and enlightenment principles.

Integration of Interests: Franklin’s scientific knowledge informed his inventions, while his literary skills helped him communicate complex ideas effectively.

Lessons for Modern Generalists:

• Lifelong Learning: Franklin continuously sought to improve himself through study and practice.
• Practical Application: He applied his diverse knowledge to solve practical problems and improve society.
• Public Engagement: Franklin used his skills to engage with the public and advocate for social progress.

Case Study 3: Dan Koe - A Modern Generalist

Dan Koe is a contemporary example of a successful generalist who has leveraged multiple skills and interests to create a unique and influential career. He is known for his work in personal development, digital entrepreneurship, and content creation.

Fields of Expertise:

1. Writing and Content Creation: Writes extensively on personal development, productivity, and digital entrepreneurship. His blog and newsletter have a substantial following.
2. Digital Marketing and Branding: Uses social media to share insights, engage with his audience, and build his personal brand. Offers online courses and workshops.
3. Entrepreneurship: Created and sold various digital products, including ebooks, courses, and membership programs. Advises on building and scaling online businesses.
4. Fitness and Lifestyle: Emphasizes physical health and mental well-being as foundational elements of a successful life. Shares fitness routines and lifestyle habits.

Integration of Interests: Dan Koe’s work seamlessly integrates writing, digital marketing, entrepreneurship, and fitness.

Lessons for Modern Generalists:

• Personal Branding: Build a strong personal brand that reflects a combination of your skills and interests.
• Holistic Development: Emphasize the interconnectedness of different areas of life, such as health, productivity, and business.
• Monetizing Knowledge: Leverage expertise in various fields to create digital products and services, providing multiple streams of income and increasing influence.

Specialisation: The Other Side of the Coin

While this digest celebrates the generalist path, it's important to acknowledge that specialisation has its own merits. Not everyone wants or benefits from being a generalist. Specialists can achieve deep expertise in a specific field, often leading to innovation and significant contributions within that domain. The choice between being a generalist or a specialist is nuanced and personal, depending on your interests, career goals, and lifestyle preferences.

Ultimately, whether you choose to be a generalist or a specialist, the key is to pursue your path with passion, curiosity, and dedication.