Jack of no trades AND master of none?

Am I falling behind? There is this ongoing argument in my mind - is it better to be the jack of all trades or to be the master of one. What if I am neither? 

I am constantly battling the feeling and fear of not being good enough. 

I can name several achievements of mine, but with that, I can name many people (somewhat the same age as mine) who have achieved more. 

Learning to disregard or perhaps ignore this thought is a skill I have acquired. I assume every teenager feels this way at some point or the other. I don't know enough to be the Jack of All Trades and I'm definitely not talented enough to be the Master of One. 

Right now, most people around me are preparing for college applications. Many have found their strong suits and many are going places with it. What is someone like me supposed to do? I have plenty of things I could write on my college applications too, but how much merit do they hold?

And what if it is Just. Not. Enough? 

I have spoken to several people about what is better - to be the Jack or to be the Master? 

Here is what I have gathered - 

Many say it is better to be the absolute best at least one thing that you do. But is that really possible? Even if it is - what does it get you? 

In many ways, it raises self esteem to a whole other level. There is no one who can come even close to you in what you do. You will never have to feel insecure or jealous of another person and their plethora of hobbies because you know that the one skill you have, might just be all you need. 

There will never be a single worry in your head about “oh maybe they don't want my opinion on this,” or “what if they are better than me and I just make a fool of myself?” 

I think mastering one craft gives you a sense of power - an unmatched confidence in your skill. When you reach the point of being an expert at a particular job, there is no need to try and overcompensate else where. It is okay for you to be content. I am not disregarding the fact that even a master will always want to get better at their skill. But even to improve on that skill you will have a major head start. 

But what about the flip side?

Being an expert at only one skill, wouldn’t it leave you clueless everywhere else? Maybe not clueless, but imagine having to step out of your bubble of mastery. What do you do then? 

There is a whole world beyond your skill. There are places you have to visit, people you have to meet, events you have to attend, things you should be a part of. What if your skill is not involved in any of these milestones. Should you remain a shadow in the crowd? Should you not have any worries because you are content with the ego of being “the best” at that one skill? 

Yes, you do have a certain level of expertise. Maybe it is one that is incomparable to anyone else’s. Maybe it comes natural to you and does not involve as much work as people would think it does. However, my concern is, what beyond that? 

What if there comes a moment when you cannot use, or show off, or gloat about, or even think about your skill? Aren’t you basically left with nothing then? 

I know I might be a bit harsh here, but hear me out.

When you are the Jack Of All Trades, you are versatile. It is easier for you to fit in. You have more characteristics to add to your personality. You can jump around, from hobby to hobby, you can have fun. You are not bound by any one task, as you are simply capable of performing many.

I think the same places you visit, the people you meet, and the events you attend will all have something for you. Some aspect, where you can join in. 

THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER.

How exhilarating is that? 

And now, pause. 

Being the Jack Of All Trades leaves you with dissatisfaction. You know so much, yet nothing at all. 

You can sing, maybe, but there’s someone who can sing better. 

Maybe you can cook, but there will be someone who can cook better. 

There will always be someone more skilled, more well-versed, and there will almost always be someone preferred over you. 

When will it truly be your time to shine? When do you feel most secure? 

It will be easier for you to get lost. With no specific target or standard, often you may feel like dabbling in a 100 other things might not be worth it. 

If you feel like you are neither a Jack nor a Master, its okay. 

In my opinion - it is okay to not know where you stand in life. It is okay to not want to fit yourself into one single box. Even after gathering different perspectives and articulating my thoughts, I still don’t know where I stand And maybe I won’t anytime soon. And you know what? I accept that. After all, time will keep moving, and so should you. 

Do what you want, listen to everyone, come back to yourself at the end. 

I think everyone eventually figures it all out.

Jack, Master, or neither —does it really matter? Maybe the goal isn’t to choose, but to keep learning, growing and thriving.

Que sera, sera - whatever will be, will be. 

Never forget - 

You have time. More time than you think you do!

(a kind of cliche I keep repeating to myself over and over again as a form of consolation)