Not delusions of grandeur, but an actual recipe for it

When someone uses the unflattering phrase, jack of all trades, master of none, what they’re describing is a lack of competence.

Referring to an individual who has dabbled in many skills, but has not gained expertise by focusing on one.

What’s interesting about this phrase is, it can also describe a lack of focus.

Like the creative professional who has so many projects going on, that they spread themselves too thin. They run around the forest putting a few chops in each tree, wondering why they’re tired, confused, unaccomplished and dissatisfied with their creative output.

The reason for this is, they’re a pursuer of all ideas and an executor of none. It’s a tendency rooted in the fear of missing out, which has become an official form of anxiety clinically proven to reduce psychological wellbeing and increase stress.

Here’s how it happens.

Creators are afraid to reject a good project for a potentially better one. The excess of creative choices becomes so overwhelming that they paralyze themselves into inaction. And this bad habit creates a negative expectation around their ability to accomplish goals in general. Now they carry around a story that they’re someone who doesn’t execute well. Which makes them even more scared next time they have to choose a creative direction.

Have you ever met a person who fits this archetype?

It’s frustrating as hell. Their inability to make a crisp decision about which project to focus on makes you want to shake them upside down from the ankles until the focus falls out of their pockets.

When I was chapter president of our local publishing association, our annual conferences were filled with pursuers of all ideas, executors of none.

There was one consultant who showed up each summer, like clockwork, with her latest website, innovative business venture, updated personal brand and hot new global initiative. And everyone agreed that her energy was infectious and she was a charismatic communicator.

But we honestly never saw the proof. There was zero evidence to suggest that anything she ever did was real. She didn’t make things, she just said things. She didn’t have delusions of grandeur, she had an actual recipe for it.

Funny thing is, she claimed to be a serial entrepreneur. But to the rest of us, it just felt manic and unfocused. Like this beautiful façade with nothing behind it.

Point being, if you’re someone who can’t seem to focus on a single project and you feel spread too thin, remember this.

Focus is the ultimate power source.

It’s available to all of us, regardless of personality type, work environment or creative tenor. And often it’s a matter of plugging into the appropriate outlet.

You might try using a tool called a clearinghouse, which is a conceptual destination where you can unite all of your interesting elements, intermingling your interests and themes into a meaningful, cohesive whole.

This strategy can help you start a project that becomes the confluence of many dreams. One that allows you to find a home for all of your talents.

Doesn’t that sound more fulfilling than running around the forest trying to put a few chops in each tree?