Are you a master of a trade, or a jack of all trades?

I am a jack of all trades. I have broad-ranging interests, but not the patience to go very deep.

Neither a master nor a jack, whatever that means.

Unless you can be a jack of subjects and a master of blabbery.

@wundayatta I guess my question wouldn’t make sense if one had never heard the expression ‘jack of all trades, master of none’.

Saying you’ll never be an expert in anything may plant a negative message in your brain that possibly deters you from striving toward that goal. But cheap psychology aside, you may well discover something someday that piques your passion and motivates you to become an expert at it. There’s a world of interests out there.

I still don’t know what a jack is. But I always wanted to be a generalist. Never wanted to be an expert. At least I succeeded in not becoming an expert, lol.

In a way its better to be a Master of none, with a flagging economy, it’s better to have a few fingers in a few pies.

Jill of many trades, master of few. haha
You sound like an ENTP personality, which is my type and we are notorious for soaking up information like sponges and being very enthusiastic until we lose interest. haha
We are idea generating types and novelty seeking, stimulus seeking types, but not as good at long term follow through and attention to details is not our thing.
Infact ” The generalist” is one description for this style.

I can speak intelligently about almost everything sans car mechanics and open heart surgery and Calculus and have a very diverse interest base and work history.
I was not cut out to keep the same job for 30 years doing the same things, over and over and over and over again.

Gah…just shoot me!
In other words being a state worker would be a fate worse than death for me. lol

Master of one, Jack of many, and completely clueless on countless others.

My boyfriend swears I am an endless fountain of random trivial information and he’s right. I have a tendency to remember a lot, especially if it’s something I’m interested in (usually history related). So, I’m a master of a lot of things, a jack of some, but how useful any of them are is debatable.

@diavolobella I just read Typhoid Marys’ background the other day, fascinating!

@Coloma have we discussed that on here before? I can’t remember since I’ve been gone so long, but I’ve got a bunch of books about her. Fascinating stuff

@diavolobella Not to my recollection, but my brain is so packed with stuff too it might be lack of total recall. haha

Neither. I am more a Polymath than a Renaissance Man.
Once I am interested in a subject, I dig into it completely. I never loose the knowledge and continually add subjects of interest.

I’m much like @blueiiznh. I have many interests and continually come back to them when I unearth new information. I often add new interests too.

I am the master of mediocrity.
I’m a jack of all trades and a master of none.
I know a little about everything and a lot about nothing.
I struggle to generate an original thought to no avail.
I search for truth but discover my own misfortune.

I have my Master’s – does that count? I also have over 20 years in the field in my vocation. However, I would not say that I am a master in the field—I’d have to live and breathe and sleep it because there is so much to know and what we know and the tools we have are always evolving. I’m good at what I do. I know what I know, and am willing to acknowledge what I don’t, and I’m resourceful in getting assistance when needed.

Other than my career, I don’t have any talents or hobbies or crafts that I pursue passionately; so no – I am not a master of anything.

I know a little about a lot and a lot about a little.

Neither, really. Though when I graduate in June, I can technically proclaim to be a Master. Generally, I still think I have a lot of learning to do, though.

Yes

I have varied interests but only know the basics of certain things. I am all in all a master of my trade, which is what I do for a living, but that only came to be after years of experience.

I fully intended to be both, but ended up a Jack of all masters, trader of none. Sadly, there isn’t very much call for that these days, but come the revolution, my day will dawn.

What revolution?

I’m a jack, I guess. Dunno if I’m a jack of spades or a jack of hearts. Definitely not diamonds or clubs.

In other words, the trades I am jack of are higher suits.

@woodcutter Wait and see.

@burntbonez I ♥ ♠ at the ♦ ♣. You go to the ♦ ♣?

I am the master of the universe. ~

In all seriousness, my knowledge is wider than it is deep in most areas. Guess that makes me a Jack.

I am a fucking McGyver.

I bet you are a cute couple.

@zensky – You’re doing what to whom? :O

I’m definitely a Jill of many trades, and I approach mastery in a couple of areas (not related to my profession, BTW).

Guys – this is neither the time nor the place.