Should You Specialize or Be a Generalist? | Tim Ferriss
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- Опубліковано 14 тра 2020
- Should you specialize or be a generalist? | Sign up for Tim's free "5-Bullet Friday" newsletter: go.tim.blog/5-bullet-friday-yt/
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About Tim Ferriss:
Tim Ferriss is one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Business People” and an early-stage tech investor/advisor in Uber, Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, Duolingo, Alibaba, and 50+ other companies. He is also the author of five #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers: The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body, The 4-Hour Chef, Tools of Titans and Tribe of Mentors. The Observer and other media have named him “the Oprah of audio” due to the influence of his podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show, which has exceeded 400 million downloads and been selected for “Best of iTunes” three years running.
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I had so many interests growing up and I couldn't decide which one to pursue: psychology, electronic music, photography, computer science... so, I decided to pursue all of them. I did my degree in psychology and my masters in research methods, worked as a photographer on the side and made music and websites for fun. I ended up working as a Data Engineer for an audio focused machine learning company, capitalising on 3/4 of my interests. It doesn't even feel like a job.
Dou you work remotely?
@@chris_k8e I work from home now, but before the lockdown I was working in the office.
#lifegoals :) Thanks for sharing Marcell!
You have an inspiring story. I’m a guitarist with a kinesiology degree who taught him self app development while substitute teaching after I injured myself working as a personal trainer. Growth seems real slow, but I know a wide basket to draw from will help me as I learn how to focus
Lucky!
Long story short: being a specialist makes sense only if you're extremely good at what you do. If you're not, it's better to be a "specialized generalist", which means that you should combine several valuable skills, but not too many. The more rare the combination, the more successful you can be. Tim suggests three easy add-ons to whatever you do: public speaking, writing, and negotiating.
Another tip from Tim: win, even if you lose. Use the skills you learned and the relationships you built during the launch of a relatively "failed" product to be more productive in the future. Projects come and go, but skills and relationships with good people stay with you.
one point regarding the rare combination - it should be useful; the skills combined should work well together
@@Th3L0st0ne good point 👍
your username is spot on, man i wish i read it before watching the video!
@@anxboxharddrive9348 Haha, thanks, man :)
Nice summary. Wish subscribing to your channel gave access to the videos you’ve done this to
1. Specialized Generalist = combined two or valuable skills (the rarer, the better)
2. General meta skills that have high multipliers: public speaking, writing, negotiating.
3. Winning even if you fail = approach projects as opportunity to develop skills and relationships, this creates positive returns via success on projects, even if you "fail" in the short term
Skill sex, basically
Thank you
Nice! :)
4. Choose skills that have a synergistic effect when put in a system
What are examples of valuable skills? Rare ones? Besides the meta skills
“Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual.”
Tim Ferris: “Hold my kettlebel.”
🤣🤣
10/10
Lol! For sure!
This is not a "stick it to the man"... It's a "stick it my man" !!!
You've clearly never read the Bible or heard of Jesus ;P
I remember our microbiology lecturer told us that he had a medical degree, pilot license, was a firefighter once, and currently now a lecturer by day, DJ by night and he is also a tea entrepreneur.
my module chair who was another one of our Lecturers, was a PHD scientist, but after he left the research industry after a while and joined a national team to be a professional cyclist for a year or so, then he started his fish farm business (and he was earning big bucks from it) but left because of partners dispute. On the side of everything, he plays violin, guitar, cello, and piano and he used to develop photos as a hobby when he was younger. So anyways, he got bored and decided to become a lecturer because apparently teaching teenagers is entertainment to him 😂 but it was v insightful every time he tells us his stories becos he came from a v poor background w a messy childhood but he took in every opportunity to better himself. Now, he’s pretty rich and could easily retire years ago
And meanwhile here you are bullshitting.
ThunderAppeal haha okay
Wow!
Many of these examples don’t reflect the current competition in the market. A master/PhD graduate nowadays has to accept an undergraduate salary just to be employed. Running businesses are good but usually we need the initial boost/network from our day job to start to diversify. The new gen has to fight harder just to be able to live.
Many people fail to recognise that "being good at x" usually requires a bunch of different skills to begin with.
Nobody is just "good at chess". They are good at abstract reasoning, pattern matching, memorization and time managent
Exactly
Ah, what a relief this video is. I have so many interests and skills I want to learn. You've reminded me to prioritize them!
Great to hear, excel
Same I am working on a few technical certifications.
What a relief indeed! It's not so easy to prioritize when we have all the informations on our fingerprints but it's manageable.
Never understood why people need other people to tell them what to do in life...
@@orion9k ?????
If you want to be an entrepreneur or a leader you should be a generalist. You basically have to know a bit of everything in order to hire the good persons and be able to communicate well with them.
If you are not a leader but more a follower or a self-employed, then you should specialize so you can beat the competition .
What if someone is a follower but in a leadership position? What if someone is a leader and a follower position?
Wonder what Tim’s comment might be on this.
@@KS-wk6uk both are kind of the same and paradoxical depending on how you define leader and follower. You should focus on WHAT you do, not which position you are in.
simple:
1. If you are leading, generalize
2. if you are following, specialize
This video came just in time as I was thinking about this topic
UA-cam algorithms :
Your welcome
Agreed, I’ve thought a lot about what I need to do for my future career
Same I think the neura link is in
Universe always sends us the right thing🔥
Absolutely!! 😌
Literally just what I need right now.
I'm a 34 year old "jack of all trades...". My combined experience has served me well recently, but I'm starting to hit a crossroad and I need to acquire more skills to move forward. Do I generalise or do I specialise?
Honestly, knowing myself, I know that I will lose focus after a couple of years of "pigeonholing" myself and it will kill my motivation and I'll stop delivering a desirable standard. Meanwhile, generalising keeps the fire burning but it brings a lack of security.
Everyone's situation is unique, but nonetheless, some great points raised in this post.
Cheers for the update.
I fee you so much! Literally been reading about this. I feel like if there was a degree I would have a masters in jack of all trades lol
Let me know if you wanna network and chat more. Feel free to ping me on linked in : Vick Vahram Antonyan
I’m with you! 💯 I totally feel you.
Same here! 36 yo, with programming skills, have experience with online education, but now I’m into digital marketing. Somehow I feel like an impostor because I know so many people that are so good and creative, and sometimes I feel like giving up on marketing. I’m in the same crossroad. Go deep or take a detour... again. It’s hard.
I am with you guys, but like Tim said, you'll have that advantage overall, and who told you that you had to choose one thing? As the saying goes...
"Jack of all trades, master of none...often times better, than master of ONE"
CHEERS MY JACKS!
Same here guys! Im 25. Jst graduated as an engr. But currently my hobbies are sketching, music playing, cooking, writing, playing sports, books and many more. If you guys know any way I can organize my life id appreciate it. Thanks
This was great to hear today. I have been wrestling with this for about a year. I was a cop by day and comedian by night for many years. I have been hooked on personal development/personal growth for over 25 years. I have written four books, and produced a comedy special and a tv series that are on Amazon. I have no limits with my mind as to what I can do. It's focusing on a couple core targets, to be more effective. I know I have fallen into the dabbling syndrome by spreading out my targets. Shoot at many targets, hit none. I have recently been hooked on tennis and competing. Im sure I can combine that with personal development/peak performance/coaching with writing/speaking. Thanks for all your amazing content!
That is a so good advice man! Spot on! Nobody talks about this side of “generalization” and “specialization”!
Learning tons of skills is essential for success, rarely a person can be succesful with just one skill.
Thank you for this video. I definitely relate to this because as a mechanical engineer with a psychology passion, it makes a big difference in the way I interact with my coworkers, and handle difficult situations at and outside of work. 💯
Although the advice is very good, i would also add an age as a variable. I would say generalize at early age, specialize later in life. You will know by then what you are good at.
Me: Should You Specialize or Be a Generalist?
Tim: Yes.
We should be a generalist in our specialty.
Bahaha, I had a boss like that, became a meme at the office 😄
you can be both ...depend on the situation and problems you encountered.
@PussyIsHere Your mom borrows his hair and never gives it back.
I'm not a specialized generalist, but I think I can specially generalize how beautiful you are. And you are beautiful.
I recently had mild heart attack and a stent placed in the main heart artery and then a pacemaker with two wires. I told the cardiologist that I am not a specialist, but that I was damn glad he is!
Great video! I think most people have one or two niches but it is always a good idea to keep them side projects going! I'm doing a music degree currently but love to keep occupied writing, public speaking, learning psychology and, on the more practical side, performing magic. Whatever your passions are, they may seem a bit unlinked (like mine!) but you'll be surprised how they can be interconnected. Psychology and public speaking in my case are needed for becoming a magician. The beauty of it is, if you commit yourself to the skills you're passionate about, you'll simultaneously improve in other areas without even realising it! An easy way to improve writing is daily journaling which I'm sure Tim's covered on this channel.
Wishing everyone good luck in pursuing their passions!
To summarize and add, you should be a T shaped person. Where you know a bunch of stuff in horizontal but also are an expert in one of them - the vertical bar.
Specialist Pros and Cons:
👍
The ability to earn more money - slow but straight career ladder
The opportunity to become an expert or leader in your area of specialization
👎
Career inflexibility
Risk of becoming obsolete
Generalist Pros and Cons:
👍
Understanding and seeing the bigger picture
Transferable skills
Career flexibility
👎
Lack of job security
Need to work harder to be approved
WHAT TO DO? 😱
Generalising-Specialist - if you are a generalist, pick one thing and get deep, gain vertical knowledge
vs
Specialising-Generalist! - if you are a specialist - start exploring and learning new skills and wear more hats at work.
I feel this so much. People think I'm crazy for combining Finance with Computer science and Music, but I want to start a record label and have control of most aspects. It seems like the best way for me and all 3 subjects complement each other well. I'm so glad I came across this video. People keep telling me to focus on one thing and specialize. "Jack of all trades, master of none" they say, but I get bored and tired out only focusing on 1 thing. Comp Sci teaches me file management for my music. Econ helps maintain and project a budget. When I get bored or stuck on one subject I move to the next which will often inspire a solution. Thanks for the video Tim!
Fantastic video. Your insights and content continue to get better and better as you age, I'm impressed! The fact that you continue to strive to self improve, self analyze, and then formulate cohesive lessons that can be shared and offer value to others makes me excited to continue to follow your work.
Tim has been driving this home for years. Be the best &/or the first to combine a few specializations. Makes sense. I also love the phrase, "Jack of all trades, Master of SOME".
Tim is like the greatest mentor you can have. Super clear, practical and with a great combination between logical and intuitive thinking. Thank you for adding so much value to our lives!
"Jack of all trades, master of none, oftentimes better than master of one"
I adjusted mine to be “jack of all trades, master of some”
Not only Jack, it also involved names like Tom, Dick and Harry too. Jack of Tom, Dick and Harry or Cartoon "Tom and Jerry Show" too.
Very interesting. I've never heard the full quote before, and the purpose of the saying changes completely once you tack on that last bit. When people say, "Jack of all trades, master of none," and stop there, they're usually implying that if you don't specialize, your knowledge is too broad to be useful. However, the full saying indicates that the Jack of all trades is actually MORE useful, because they're versatile and adaptable, rather than restricted to a single knowledge base. It makes me curious as to why people started changing the saying...
I live by it. Had more jobs than many but have grown wiser the more I do.
@@whatwilliwatch3405 actually it's the other way around.
the original saying was just "jack of all trades" the "master of some" was added later, and then finally "often times better than a master of none" was added last, this is over the course of a some hundred years ofcourse
Well explained. Generalizing on many topics can distract you from specializing on much more important topics. Specializing in some point is needed in todays world for a good career.
This video should be required viewing for all incoming college freshman! I feel like this video succinctly addresses the indecision that so many young people feel when they're just starting to find their way in the world.
Yes! For example, if I simply achieve a 4.0 average in my double major of Quantitative Finance and Computer Science / Machine Learning, I will learn for a couple of years and then become a rich and famous hedge fund manager! Because everything is OBJECTIVE. And you succeed or fail based on one thing - THE NUMBERS - and your TRACK RECORD. Uh, OK but in a word: WRONG!!!!!!!!! Just so totally and embarrassingly wrong. Good video!
Thanks Tim - I'll aim to add public speaking, writing and negotiating to my tool kit!
Always saving my anxiety and stress Tim. God bless you man, one jack of all trades to another!
Thanks Tim, this came at a right time for me in trying to decide what do I do for the rest of my life. You're phenomenal!
I'm trying to improve my speaking skills through live streaming here on UA-cam, gaming has always been a helping hand for me and now I'm doing both.
Damn this is GOOD advice!!
The most powerful advice I've personally gained from listening to Tim and guests. Tim, as always, THANK YOU!! The goodness you bring to these times, to this world, is phenomenal. Stay well Tim!!
I like this video a lot. For 40 years I was learning a lot through my hobbies, interests and professions but was never really happy with the job I was doing. At age 40 I had the courage to become what I need to be and found a profession where I am good at and love doing. It doesn't make a lot of money but it gave my life meaning. I am a very happy person. And found out I have ambitions, staggering to me.
Thank you, Tim. It’s hard to be a speciality actuary! Too many years of study, and continuous study. By the end of it, I feel so exhausted. And that, so many solo isolated study days, which makes me feel It changed my personality - became scared of social interactions/and talking publicly, which was something I was very keen on😋 before the work and study life started
Speaking of "sage advice," you're giving a ton of it in this concise video, Tim!
I love it. Currently try to combine my knowledge in software development and computer science with public speaking and writing in a youtube project.
Thanks as always Tim!❤️
I went to school to specialize, I fell in love with your book now I want to diversify my sources of income and interest. Such a change I needed 🙏🏽
You are a living goldmine for us. Making videos on topics, which affect us in reality. Keep up the good work (- a virtual mentee from India)
Interesting perspective with pertinent examples. As Nelson Mandela said: “I never lose. I either win, or I learn.”
Weird flex by Mandela. But ok.
Always valuable tips from the great Tim! I'm actually connecting the dots of my life just realizeing that I am a specialized generalist too.
TL,DR:
Don't be the best. Be the only.
I love this.
Be the only = be the best at something
@@Oklon86 kinda...but if you're the only, then there is no one to even be the best over. I see what you mean though. Best vs. only just brings about a much different mindset, for me at least.
That’s building a monopoly.
Dude (dude?),
I’m getting this framed and placed on my wall.
This is awesome.
Thank you very much 4 talking in this subject 👌👌👌 I was struggling with this, I knew mastering one thing is not enough and at the same time overskilling will end up with mastering any.
wow. dental student here. you just answered a question I've been asking myself and the people around me for the past three years. thank you!
I've always found that the opportunities I've been able to capitalise on have been as a result of this practice; having several niche skill-sets that although I'm not the best at, are often quite uncommon in combination and as a result provide me with less competition. Insightful video Tim as always!
Totally agree - it's a combination of skills that make you valuable.
I needed to hear this. Thank you for making this video.
I've definitely done this more or less by accident over my career - I have an Arts degree with a good foundation in research but have ended up in a data analysis heavy job. Combined with my well honed speaking skills (through years of providing training) I have an ability to clarify and translate effectively between technical and non-technical people, in a way that very few of my colleagues can.
I know this combination of skills, each of which I continue to build on year on year, give me a path to the to of my field which would be much tougher if I was, say, focused solely on the data side, or on the research skills.
Specialised Generalist - definitely a good thing to be
Tim I am so happy that you are doing video now. Thank you for this!
Really well said Tim! Concentrate of information. It helped me to clarify my points I'll give to my students next week. Spot on!
I'm a designer by day, but have been trying to diversify my other skillsets (ex. my UA-cam channel, storytelling, speaking) -- so this is really reassuring to hear. thanks for always giving great practical advice, and shoutout to all my fellow aspiring specialized generalists (:
Bang on. I struggled with this dilemma for a very long time. I was looking for a broader perspective on the topic of specialization. This explanation is so liberating. Thank you, Tim.
I agree - I definitely feel less pressure and more liberated about what skills I want to learn having watched this video!
@@DavyYap Totally!
Wow. This is the most useful 5 minutes I've watched this year. I've been battling with this for a long time, and that just gave me a lot of clarity. Boom, I am a 'specialised generalist'. 😎
Spot on Tim... Exactly what I've been applying for the past few years and I'm getting south out specifically for that.
Tim Ferris, I’ve listened to about 20+ hours of your podcast this week. Guess what? I’m gonna listen to them all over again, and then do it again. I WILL internalize the wisdom. I’ve never agreed with so many different people, and had the thoughts verbalized in a way that I completely understand and jive with.
Thank you so much for this. I needed to hear this!
This is one of the best advice ever. This is exactly how Steve Jobs had so much success with Apple: he combined design (art) with computers (science).
🤔😲 Good point!
Jobs had art and marketing... and Wozniak.
Thank you for releasing really amazing content, everything that you talk about is important and entertaining!
Thanks for the video man! I was just thinking about this the other day as I've recently made my own business and I didn't know whether to dive into every skill or to stick with what I'm good at and learn as much about that skill as possible but this has helped a lot thanks again!
Thanks Tim! I'm a generalist who loves to touch at everything but I know where I'm better at so I'll prioritized that instead.
One of the most meaningful videos that can be watched only in 6 minutes. Thank you for this great advice.
Personally, I believe that being a generalist and learning multiple things can be very helpful for many reasons, but to mention 2 of them.. 1. When starting, you'll have to do many things yourself
2. Learning new things can be fun just for the sake of learning as well as you can consider it as meditation to take you away from your daily routine/job.
So as he said, a specialised generalist 👌🏻
Have a great day everyone 🙏🏼
Much appreciated advice. Thanks for being you, Tim!
This was fantastic. I have watched just about all of your videos and this was one of the best! 👊🏻
Thank you Mr. Ferriss for such a relieving video for someone mid-career with a mosiac like resume like mine! 😊
Tim, the way you borrow lenses from others to create your own is amazing. Congrats on the amazing work!
You talked about this before. It's great to hear it again.
Incredible video, Tim. Short and sweet. Thanks.
This is great advice ... this is something I struggled with for a long time in my career. One of my add-on’s actually became my main career (change management) and enabled me able to drive my career and my contracting rate day up (I more than doubled my rate). I’m now at the point where I’m pushing for another one of add on’s (coaching) to become my main focus. This way of thinking was super helpful in my field. I also used the add on’s to help me stand out in interviews.
Thanks for all the content, Tim! Stay safe.
always such incredible insight! Thanks for sharing Tim
Interesting idea, the specialized generalist. I was actually just on a podcast where I shared my expertise as a mindfulness teacher/counsellor AND productivity coach... it's fun (and been much more successful than I'd initially anticipated) to marry the two worlds through my work in energy management and work-life wellness and to offer a unique vantage point.
One thing I'd add is to focus on one thing fully at a time so as to avoid trying to do/be everything at once. If each avenue or interest is separate from one another, I've found it most effective to pursue one at a time with full attention before diving into the next.
Thank you, Timbo! You're a legend!
Some amazing value right here! Thank you for making this, Tim!
Really hit the hammer on the nail with this one! Totally agree.
Hey Tim, this has been a really good video. I currently have interests in finance, music, mental health and travel. This has given me more impetus to pursue a path that is fully unique and use my unfair advantages ✌🏽
Amazing advice! I love listening to you, Tim.
I’ve been thinking about this question so much. My answer now: I should do what I like best.
Check out some Jocko Podcast clips. I've found them useful.
Absolutely agree. My special uncommon combination is corporate finance and sales skills.
Wow. thanks Tim.
Just what I needed to hear.
Very true! Great advice! Combine your passion or skills in 2 diverse areas.
This is such a good answer! Thank you.
You put in words what I was thinking for a long time.
Solid advice. I've been considering working on my writing skills more, guess it's time to get on that.
Exactly what i need. Thanks Tim
Awesome topic! Thanks for sharing this knowledge :)
This video popped up exactly when I need it. Thank you, great content as always! I've been pondering this for some time. Chris Do from The futur has another interesting approach on this subject to be a specialist externally and a generalist internally, but I think this makes more sense to me at the moment.
Pooped
Absolutely
Great advice! I really appreciate the skill combo part. Thank you for inspiring. Peace & Blessings.
This was very useful advice. I have always had this question. I am a "consummate dilettante "who knows management, coding, finance, geo politics and many more things however I feel quite impoverished with these skill 'cause I haven't been able to capitalist on any one of them.
This is fantastic advice Tim, some of your best work!
"JUST PICK ONE THING YOU'RE GOOD AT AND STICK TO IT! THAT'S HOW YOU BECOME THE BEST!" The amount of times in my life I heard this,.. I always thought that sounded like bullshirt.....now i know it is! THANKS YOU AGAIN Tim. the world needs you!
great advice, and to the point, thank you
Thank you for sharing this knowledge!
Even almost 20 years later I still love you!
Nice video, I like the approach to it. I feel like we try to learn 1 to 2 skills at a time and fine tune them over time.
Excellent advice, Tim. I've found your suggestion of public speaking + (insert another skill) to be the most powerful combination. Thanks for everything you do!
In the world that we live in today, and the one we will live tomorrow I'd put coding + public speaking + (insert something here)
@@upvotecomment2110 Would you say that learing ALL of those through my teens'd be a good goal?
This is brilliant! Thank you! I’m literally in the process of developing my 12 step personal brand roadmap for my academy members and just this week on a live call I was asked about niching. I’ll be referencing this video and sharing it as part of my plan! Love this approach! It also affirms that I’m using my skills as a personal brand photographer along with my online tech abilities to establish a good specialized generalist in the field of personal branding! Awesome, awesome!
Thsts awesome good luck
Michael Davis well aren’t you a ray of sunshine?
Good stuff Tim! Really interesting way to look at it. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Tim. Heard one of my favorite quotes from Scott Adams. “You double your chances of success with each new skill you acquire.”
This is a golden advice! Thank you
Thank you Tim 😊
GREAT breakdown. This is definitely a great way to increase your own value. Thank you Tim for this priceless advice! ✌🏾🖌️
This video speaks to me. Thanks for the great content.
Great advice Tim. I think public speaking is a useful skill for any profession.