The label "Jack of all trades" is always associated with the "Master on None" label. Perhaps being the "Jack of all Trades" means that you have a curiosity to life that gives you different perspectives and child-like joy of discovering what actually you are capable of.
My parents used to be worried that I would fail academically when I was in Canada as I just loved to involve myself in everything. For me school had this large catalogue of extracurricular activities I wanted to try: baseball, swimming, drama, concerts, tennis, track and field...the endless possibilities. My Filipino mother wanted piano lessons for me while my Maltese dad wanted clarinet, skating and more swimming...yes, being the only child, I had lots of expectations but I loved juggling everything...it made life exciting. My brain would be buzzing with ideas and "what if" scenarios and life was this magic place of discovery. It was only when I came to Malta at the age of 16, that the line of "Jack of all trade, master of none" was being used...I had to choose, sports or music as I had to adapt to a new education system which I had to adapt to. So, I chose music and went with it, but luckily, later on, after settling academically, I began to incorporate running, Zumba and swimming into my life. The discipline of music helped me apply the same principles to the sports I was pursuing later on. The inner child had spoken...rediscover your passions.
Sometimes certain labels may inhibit our potential. As I hear the "Jack of all trades, master of none" mantra, it created doubt. Was I wasting my life trying to figure out different aspects of myself in new skills I learn and took interest in? Life seemed so richer and colourful with my activities acting as strokes of paint on the canvas of my life. Of course, I don't mean you should burn yourself down trying to fill every space of your time, but I believe that we are creators of our own life and trying out the different possibilities, make life like a series of science experiments to find what brings you happiness and discover who you really are. Shutting off the mobile and discovering the real you beyond the limiting labels. We are the writers of our own story so I would like to fill my life with wonderful stories to tell. Then again, you never know how each talent or skill you discover may help you later on in life.
So if anyone does label you the "Jack of all trades" tell them this new phrase...
"Jack of all trades, a lifetime of opportunities"
Live free,
Connie