“Eat your peas.”
“Don’t talk to strangers.”
When we were young, we heard many admonitions. Being of curious mind, I always had a lot of interests, so one particular admonition I heard repeatedly was: “A jack of all trades is Master of none.” The implication being that someone with a wide array of interests but no focus will establish mastery over nothing; which is to say: will not find measureable success. There are, of course, exceptions to every rule. Ben Franklin is certainly one. His insights and accomplishments exist across a wide spectrum of intellectual and physical arenas. Quintessentially, the exception to the rule might be Leonardo Da Vinci. Alas, they are the exceptions. As a matter of fact, if you establish mastery over many endeavors a la Da Vinci, we have created a new category for you. You are a Renaissance Man. The goal of becoming a renaissance man is quite laudable… and beyond comprehension for most of us.
A recent post on BloodhoundBlog asked if agents writing on blogs shouldn’t spend more time writing about real estate. I certainly do not take issue with that inquiry, nor do I question the purpose of the suggestion. Real estate blogging can and should benefit those who buy and sell as well as those who represent. But I do disagree with the premise. I suggest that somewhere between Jack of all trades, but Master of none and achieving the pinnacle of renaissance man lies a gray zone most do not understand.
Not everything we were taught at a young age is correct. Wide ranging interests without direct focus does not necessarily lead one to become a Jack of all trades. As a matter of fact, by measurement of trade I have not participated, as a Jack, in a great many callings. Yet in my life, outside of a few athletic avenues, I have not gained mastery over many things either; I certainly have yet to become a renaissance man. So what do we call the strange area where interests are many and masteries are few? The area in between Jack of all trades and renaissance man?
There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space… and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition… and it lies between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call… the twilight zone.” –The Twilight Zone
Rod Serling may have called it the Twilight Zone but I find the answer a little closer to home. If you become knowledgeable in many areas without mastering any one in particular, there is a line of work designed just for you; a calling for which you may very well become a Master. The second oldest profession in the world: sales.
I find, as I get older, I can speak intelligently and interestingly on a wide array of subjects and at varying levels of depth. I can talk to almost anyone about almost anything. Does that make me a Jack of all trades? Certainly not – I don’t participate in a trade – what it makes me is a superior salesman. This is, after all, the very essence of becoming great in sales: the skill of communicating with others in such a way as to create comfort and earn their trust. This is what we do do. Successful sales or mayoral marketing, is the learned ability to communicate with your community of raving fans. It requires only a curious mind.
Prove your teachers wrong. Take an interest in a wide array of diverse subject matters. Enjoy conversations with people on topics of interest to them. You may never become a Renaissance man, but neither will you be a Jack of all trades and Master of none. Instead, become a Joker of all Trades and Master of One: sales.
Brian Brady says:
It’s hard to comment on Sean’s posts because I’ve heard so many of the yarns, already. He’s been writing this post for 3 years and it’s better than I ever imagined.
2nd oldest profession, indeed.
May 12, 2008 — 10:10 am
Jeff Brown says:
Sean — You demonstrate yet again the ability to discern the vast freeways running between the extremes of any topic. Rod would be proud.
You said, The second oldest profession in the world: sales.
The oldest profession, if anything was certainly also in sales. It’s been my contention their product was in such consistently high demand, it didn’t require highly developed sales skills, as it pretty much sold itself.
May 12, 2008 — 10:26 am
Greg Swann says:
> The oldest profession, if anything was certainly also in sales. It’s been my contention their product was in such consistently high demand, it didn’t require highly developed sales skills, as it pretty much sold itself.
You were born a hundred years too late, Grandpa. You could have given Sam Clemens a run for his money.
May 12, 2008 — 10:34 am
Sean Purcell says:
Brian,
Coming from the Ben Franklin of Blogging this is high praise indeed. You, my friend, are also an exception.
May 12, 2008 — 12:38 pm
Sean Purcell says:
Jeff & Greg,
The old “chicken or the egg” discussion. The oldest profession in the world involved a sale, but not sales – only marketing. The first recorded effort at sales came approximately 20 minutes later when a second practitioner joined the oldest profession in the world.
Coincidentally, this is also the first recorded instance of competition as well as the invention of cash… an auspicious day in World History.
May 12, 2008 — 12:49 pm
Mike Farmer says:
Very good. I think you are 100% right. The most interesting people I meet are the ones with active minds interested in diverse topics.
An active mind is interested in many things, and how they are connected.
You have inspired, again, several ideas I’d like to run with — I’ll spell your name right in the credits.
I’m going to have to quit reading here for a few days so I can get my paperwork done.
May 13, 2008 — 4:26 am
Sean Purcell says:
Mike,
Reading your posts and your comments always gives me that feeling that I am in the presence of someone with a great many interests AND the ability to communicate them. You are a prime example of what I am talking about and your posts here and at Bonzai are a joy to read.
I’m going to have to quit reading here for a few days so I can get my paperwork done.
What are you talking about? Why do paperwork and real estate transactions when you can write? Your problem is you are still hung up on this whole “I got to make money” thing. 🙂
May 13, 2008 — 9:44 am
Sean Purcell says:
Mike,
I just went over to your site Bonzai to make sure I was spelling it correctly and you already have a post up far surpassing what I wrote here. Amazing: you did a perfect Jeff Brown and you stuck the landing. I cannot wait to read it leisurely over lunch. Thanks!
May 13, 2008 — 9:49 am