Should You Specialize or Be a Generalist? | Tim Ferriss
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
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About Tim Ferriss:
Tim Ferriss is one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Business People” and an early-stage tech investor/advisor in Uber, Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, Duolingo, Alibaba, and 50+ other companies. He is also the author of five #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers: The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body, The 4-Hour Chef, Tools of Titans and Tribe of Mentors. The Observer and other media have named him “the Oprah of audio” due to the influence of his podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show, which has exceeded 400 million downloads and been selected for “Best of iTunes” three years running.
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Long story short: being a specialist makes sense only if you're extremely good at what you do. If you're not, it's better to be a "specialized generalist", which means that you should combine several valuable skills, but not too many. The more rare the combination, the more successful you can be. Tim suggests three easy add-ons to whatever you do: public speaking, writing, and negotiating.
Another tip from Tim: win, even if you lose. Use the skills you learned and the relationships you built during the launch of a relatively "failed" product to be more productive in the future. Projects come and go, but skills and relationships with good people stay with you.
one point regarding the rare combination - it should be useful; the skills combined should work well together
@@Th3L0st0ne good point 👍
your username is spot on, man i wish i read it before watching the video!
@@anxboxharddrive9348 Haha, thanks, man :)
Nice summary. Wish subscribing to your channel gave access to the videos you’ve done this to
1. Specialized Generalist = combined two or valuable skills (the rarer, the better)
2. General meta skills that have high multipliers: public speaking, writing, negotiating.
3. Winning even if you fail = approach projects as opportunity to develop skills and relationships, this creates positive returns via success on projects, even if you "fail" in the short term
Skill sex, basically
Thank you
Nice! :)
4. Choose skills that have a synergistic effect when put in a system
What are examples of valuable skills? Rare ones? Besides the meta skills
Many people fail to recognise that "being good at x" usually requires a bunch of different skills to begin with.
Nobody is just "good at chess". They are good at abstract reasoning, pattern matching, memorization and time managent
Exactly
Literally just what I need right now.
I'm a 34 year old "jack of all trades...". My combined experience has served me well recently, but I'm starting to hit a crossroad and I need to acquire more skills to move forward. Do I generalise or do I specialise?
Honestly, knowing myself, I know that I will lose focus after a couple of years of "pigeonholing" myself and it will kill my motivation and I'll stop delivering a desirable standard. Meanwhile, generalising keeps the fire burning but it brings a lack of security.
Everyone's situation is unique, but nonetheless, some great points raised in this post.
Cheers for the update.
I fee you so much! Literally been reading about this. I feel like if there was a degree I would have a masters in jack of all trades lol
Let me know if you wanna network and chat more. Feel free to ping me on linked in : Vick Vahram Antonyan
I’m with you! 💯 I totally feel you.
Same here! 36 yo, with programming skills, have experience with online education, but now I’m into digital marketing. Somehow I feel like an impostor because I know so many people that are so good and creative, and sometimes I feel like giving up on marketing. I’m in the same crossroad. Go deep or take a detour... again. It’s hard.
I am with you guys, but like Tim said, you'll have that advantage overall, and who told you that you had to choose one thing? As the saying goes...
"Jack of all trades, master of none...often times better, than master of ONE"
CHEERS MY JACKS!
Same here guys! Im 25. Jst graduated as an engr. But currently my hobbies are sketching, music playing, cooking, writing, playing sports, books and many more. If you guys know any way I can organize my life id appreciate it. Thanks
If you want to be an entrepreneur or a leader you should be a generalist. You basically have to know a bit of everything in order to hire the good persons and be able to communicate well with them.
If you are not a leader but more a follower or a self-employed, then you should specialize so you can beat the competition .
What if someone is a follower but in a leadership position? What if someone is a leader and a follower position?
Wonder what Tim’s comment might be on this.
@@KS-wk6uk both are kind of the same and paradoxical depending on how you define leader and follower. You should focus on WHAT you do, not which position you are in.
simple:
1. If you are leading, generalize
2. if you are following, specialize
“Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual.”
Tim Ferris: “Hold my kettlebel.”
🤣🤣
10/10
Lol! For sure!
This is not a "stick it to the man"... It's a "stick it my man" !!!
You've clearly never read the Bible or heard of Jesus ;P
I had so many interests growing up and I couldn't decide which one to pursue: psychology, electronic music, photography, computer science... so, I decided to pursue all of them. I did my degree in psychology and my masters in research methods, worked as a photographer on the side and made music and websites for fun. I ended up working as a Data Engineer for an audio focused machine learning company, capitalising on 3/4 of my interests. It doesn't even feel like a job.
Dou you work remotely?
@@chris_k8e I work from home now, but before the lockdown I was working in the office.
#lifegoals :) Thanks for sharing Marcell!
You have an inspiring story. I’m a guitarist with a kinesiology degree who taught him self app development while substitute teaching after I injured myself working as a personal trainer. Growth seems real slow, but I know a wide basket to draw from will help me as I learn how to focus
Lucky!
Although the advice is very good, i would also add an age as a variable. I would say generalize at early age, specialize later in life. You will know by then what you are good at.
I’ve been thinking about this question so much. My answer now: I should do what I like best.
Check out some Jocko Podcast clips. I've found them useful.
Well explained. Generalizing on many topics can distract you from specializing on much more important topics. Specializing in some point is needed in todays world for a good career.
Interesting perspective with pertinent examples. As Nelson Mandela said: “I never lose. I either win, or I learn.”
Weird flex by Mandela. But ok.
I love it. Currently try to combine my knowledge in software development and computer science with public speaking and writing in a youtube project.
I've definitely done this more or less by accident over my career - I have an Arts degree with a good foundation in research but have ended up in a data analysis heavy job. Combined with my well honed speaking skills (through years of providing training) I have an ability to clarify and translate effectively between technical and non-technical people, in a way that very few of my colleagues can.
I know this combination of skills, each of which I continue to build on year on year, give me a path to the to of my field which would be much tougher if I was, say, focused solely on the data side, or on the research skills.
Specialised Generalist - definitely a good thing to be
I like this video a lot. For 40 years I was learning a lot through my hobbies, interests and professions but was never really happy with the job I was doing. At age 40 I had the courage to become what I need to be and found a profession where I am good at and love doing. It doesn't make a lot of money but it gave my life meaning. I am a very happy person. And found out I have ambitions, staggering to me.
Thank you for this video. I definitely relate to this because as a mechanical engineer with a psychology passion, it makes a big difference in the way I interact with my coworkers, and handle difficult situations at and outside of work. 💯
You are a living goldmine for us. Making videos on topics, which affect us in reality. Keep up the good work (- a virtual mentee from India)
Speaking of "sage advice," you're giving a ton of it in this concise video, Tim!
Always saving my anxiety and stress Tim. God bless you man, one jack of all trades to another!
Tim is like the greatest mentor you can have. Super clear, practical and with a great combination between logical and intuitive thinking. Thank you for adding so much value to our lives!
Be good in beeing yourself. Be good in the thecnical area that matters to you. Be good to people. Nothing else will be necessary.
Wow. This is the most useful 5 minutes I've watched this year. I've been battling with this for a long time, and that just gave me a lot of clarity. Boom, I am a 'specialised generalist'. 😎
Tip for myself: add public speaking, writing and negotiation and the win even if you lose.
Find three courses on these three different add-ons.
This video popped up exactly when I need it. Thank you, great content as always! I've been pondering this for some time. Chris Do from The futur has another interesting approach on this subject to be a specialist externally and a generalist internally, but I think this makes more sense to me at the moment.
Pooped
Absolutely
It’s so true. If you can be a good public speaker and writer. You are 80% of the way there. You just need something interesting that people will pay to listen to you about.
I wish I knew this when I was younger.
When Tim published this video, a couple of months ago, with somewhat spooky timing I had just self-published my first book on Amazon called You Don't Know Jack! How the Jack of All Trades Triumphs in the Modern World. A Jack of All Trades is, of course, your classic generalist. Luckily for me, Tim and I agree that the best approach is to become a generalist who cultivates their own unique combination of skills, or trades. This is what Tim refers to as a specialised generalist.
Damn this is GOOD advice!!
The most powerful advice I've personally gained from listening to Tim and guests. Tim, as always, THANK YOU!! The goodness you bring to these times, to this world, is phenomenal. Stay well Tim!!
Absolutely agree. My special uncommon combination is corporate finance and sales skills.
Fantastic video. Your insights and content continue to get better and better as you age, I'm impressed! The fact that you continue to strive to self improve, self analyze, and then formulate cohesive lessons that can be shared and offer value to others makes me excited to continue to follow your work.
wow. dental student here. you just answered a question I've been asking myself and the people around me for the past three years. thank you!
One thing I learned the other day while studying company structures, which I learned started during the industrial revolution due to disorganization was about a visionary. A company can't grow without one but they can't necessarily prosper without a company head either. So now my job title is visionary.
Thanks Tim, this is well explained. Basically, no matter which project you are working on right now, break down the skills and values in it and see how they could apply for whatever project you are working on in the future, such that your future projects would have higher success rate. Not sure if I am correct, it seems that 1 technical skill + 1 communication skill works best together? Thanks for all these videos you were making recently!
He really hits the nail on the head. Public speaking, writing and negotiation. man, these skills are required across the spectrum of professions. I don't think of any decent profession that does not require such skills. At least, we all need to negotiate wages with our employers!
When I was teenager, I didn’t know what to become but I have curiosity and passion of STEM, History, English, etc. Right now as a 20 year old College Student, when I learn about Specialized Generalist, it feel tough to be one but I can do it. My goal is to build skills of passion that I love. Also my goal is to have career of different fields but the cost is going to be high so I don’t know how to manage that. My life is very interesting to look at.
Thanks Tim...greetings from Colombia...here l developed survival skills!!
Thank you, Tim. It’s hard to be a speciality actuary! Too many years of study, and continuous study. By the end of it, I feel so exhausted. And that, so many solo isolated study days, which makes me feel It changed my personality - became scared of social interactions/and talking publicly, which was something I was very keen on😋 before the work and study life started
Im an electrical engineer working as project manager and now started studying psychology. Everybody thinks I’m simply stopping engineering and wanna do a 180 turn. But I’ve known for years before that I’d love to study a lot of things, basically to become uniquely powerful. we’ll see how this works out but I absolutely love the challenge.
Dou you study on your own/ online / at the university?
En la universidad?
Tim, the way you borrow lenses from others to create your own is amazing. Congrats on the amazing work!
This is interesting as it seems being a specialist and generalist are contrary to each other. Verbally speaking, they are like water and fire. However, another viewpoint being raised of specialised generalist ie you find certain skillsets that are highly career helpful that can be combined together that will bring positive snowball effect in what you aspire to achieve. Instead of being trapped in dilemma between focusing on one and spread to multiple fields, you unshackle yourself by an alternative viewpoint.
Tim is one of the very few who exhibits mastery over concepts AND language like few teachers I’ve come across. Other masters who come to mind: James Clear. Possibly Seth Godin, Malcolm Gladwell, Tony Robbins. Any others??
I was naturally good at visual art growing up. I ended up getting a degree in computer engineering. So I know how to code apps as well as hardware. Now I'm trying to make art combined with technology. I am also personable, gained that from retail work. I hope to one day be an artist 50% of the time and an entrepreneur 50% of the time, in order to make a living
Another way to put it; Life IS Sales. You need to communicate to get anywhere and you need to sell, which includes yourself as well as ideas. If you don't, your career will grow stagnant.
4th year Med student here and I have to decide what I want to do, this is truly the question... specialize or generalist? Honestly I want both. General Surgery is going to give me that. I want to be able to go deep on something like a complex bowel surgery, but also able to care for a WIDE variety of pathologies and a broad contributor to my community.
1. Combine Handful of rare & Valuable Skills Ex : Great Knowledge of Finance & Public Speaking + Writing+ Negotiating It will always keep you Ahead of your Competition who may have better knowledge than you in Finance
2. Winning Even if i fail Ex : Choosing Project where you spend your time and money even if you fail at the project you Acquire skill That is valuable and stays with you for long and can be used in future.
3.Specialised Generalist Choosing Handful of skills that can be combined together instead of doing & learning 100 things and being not good at anything or Just specialising in only one thing it only works if you are the warren buffet of investing
Specialize in being a generalist. Can't lose!
This channel has all the contents that I'd like to watch
Very useful video. It is strange to hear you talk about the combination of computer science and law. I have been thinking about going for this same combination.
Do note that stuff like writing, public speaking and negotiation are clearly additive to any more technical or otherwise specialized skill. I.e. writing and speaking helps you communicate your specialty.
The thing I love most about Tim? He cuts all the crap. This is a 6 minutes video with a lot of ideas and suggestion, while nowadays people usually do a 10 minute video to just say 1/6 of the stuff.
A multi-specialist would be a good way to put it
Thanks Tim, this came at a right time for me in trying to decide what do I do for the rest of my life. You're phenomenal!
GREAT breakdown. This is definitely a great way to increase your own value. Thank you Tim for this priceless advice! ✌🏾🖌️
I would advise to have your knowledge base extremely wide and filled with important info and practical knowledge but to have your actual skill set be more narrow ranged. A wide breadth of useful knowledge is an asset to anything you try to do.
Thank you Mr. Ferriss for such a relieving video for someone mid-career with a mosiac like resume like mine! 😊
Good point, specialization without generalization leads to individuation and if you want to be a part of a group you must be able to pick up anyone's hat (generalization) if it leads to a betterment of the group, and meanwhile wear your own hat (specialization). To any that says "but I don't want to be a part of a group": sorry mate, this is planet earth, it is impossible to not be a part of a group to some degree.
Good teams do great things
Choose projects through which you win even though you fail.
Because it has advantages of :
- New relationship
- New skill
Tim Ferris, always dropping knowledge to guide my boss path.
Thanks Tim. Heard one of my favorite quotes from Scott Adams. “You double your chances of success with each new skill you acquire.”
I needed to hear this. Thank you for making this video.
Thank you very much 4 talking in this subject 👌👌👌 I was struggling with this, I knew mastering one thing is not enough and at the same time overskilling will end up with mastering any.
100% agree that negotiation public
Speaking and writing are sensational add ons for most. I am a lot more successful in sales because of these add ons in fact I would say they were critical to being successful at the bigger end of town where the real money is
Yesterday I bought a book by Tim Ferris in a bookstore. With cash. Now I get a video recommendation. How on earth is that possible?
Spot on Tim... Exactly what I've been applying for the past few years and I'm getting south out specifically for that.
Hey Tim, this has been a really good video. I currently have interests in finance, music, mental health and travel. This has given me more impetus to pursue a path that is fully unique and use my unfair advantages ✌🏽
Many ideas seem strangely disconnected. None the less, I love his energy. He has a beautiful mind.
Always valuable tips from the great Tim! I'm actually connecting the dots of my life just realizeing that I am a specialized generalist too.
All these three category, specialisation, generalisation and third one specialist generalist :: all are tough and require hard work & smart work with luck .
Combine 2-4 skills that create a greater whole.
Golden!
Really hit the hammer on the nail with this one! Totally agree.
I finally managed to combine all my skills together. And I work on public speaking, started YouTubing 🙂
Great insights Tim, I've been reading from tools of titans every night.
What's your #1 takeaway?
@@SamMartinPeakPerformance My number one take away is Balance.
Balance in life...
The book is essentially snippets of countless podcast interviews Tim did.
Each person has some sort of expertise in one area or another, business, investing, health, spirituality, art, creativity, etc.
It all blends together though, everything is connected.
It shows me the idea of finding true balance in life, how to not neglect one area of your life to pursue success in another.
@@thePlum excellent. Balance is such an overlooked concept by many who are "suppossedly" successful. So I 100% agree with you there on that one 👍 Thanks for sharing
You talked about this before. It's great to hear it again.
This video couldn’t have come at a better time
Mix and match. Wisely.
"You can only connect the dots going backwards "
start a dot and then connect it with a line, and then the end point of that line is being drawn is a dot going forwards because a leader is the one who knows the way, and shows the way, and people will follow him, not work for him.
The most difficult part is choosing what to specialise in, and which skills to mix and win.
Exactly what i need. Thanks Tim
Fascinating approach, will definitely try to implement this!
This video inspired me to give up trying to succeed altogether. At last (some kind of) closure.
There's also a great book on this topic (don't know if anyone mentioned it here):
'Range' from David Epstein.
Subtitle 'Why generalists triumph in a specialized world'.
In a nutshell:
A lot of very successful people have been generalists, but it depends on the activity. The more problem solving and creativity is needed, the better it is to be more generalized and have a wider variety of knowledge and skills.
If it's a profession that you can only master by repetition, a more specialized approach might be more successful.
All in all though, teams are generally much more effective and successful if they comprise of a mix of specialists with deep knowledge, and generalists who can make connections between seemingly unrelated topics and think more outside the box.
Teams of only specialists often have a hard time looking beyond the boundaries of what they've learned and believe to be true, and tend to turn around in circles at some point.
It's a great read (and audio book). Highly recommend :)
This was fantastic. I have watched just about all of your videos and this was one of the best! 👊🏻
Solid advice. I've been considering working on my writing skills more, guess it's time to get on that.
Incredible video, Tim. Short and sweet. Thanks.
Excellent topic. Maybe you can continue talking about this with PBD
My Specialized Generalist Field Is:
Law Learner +
Business Entrepreneur +
Tech Expert.
This is really amazing advice…
Gracias! Soy abogado y en varias ocasiones me pregunté que es lo mejor para mi desarrollo y crecimiento profesional. De alguna manera este video confirmó mi intuición personal.
You sir have superb word choices.
A counter question to this would be : is it better to work on strengths or improve weaknesses?
Using this framework, work on your weaknesses to enhance your strengths and vice versa.For example, use improving your writing ability to enhance your public speaking ability via organization, narrative structure, etc. While using your public speaking skills; flow, confidence, "voice", to enhance your writing. There is always interplay if you remove the separations our minds create between skills/abilities. Yes it is hard to do.
You put in words what I was thinking for a long time.
This is fantastic advice Tim, some of your best work!
Thanks for the video man! I was just thinking about this the other day as I've recently made my own business and I didn't know whether to dive into every skill or to stick with what I'm good at and learn as much about that skill as possible but this has helped a lot thanks again!
Some amazing value right here! Thank you for making this, Tim!
My whole life I've been a generalist and I've wanted to be a specialist. I might as well take a shot at being a specialized generalist.
Awesome topic! Thanks for sharing this knowledge :)
I should have watched this video in school. It makes so much sense now.
Specialise in creativity.
I see " Mr Miyagi " mindset flowing thru Tim. He has gotten burned by the stock market. Yet, does he wallow & seclude himself? No, he continues to explain & share techniques for work/life hacking. I continue to be amazed by his grace under fire. Peace.
Thats that stoic mindset showing and acting. I reallly see what you are saying though, and that is the general appeal of Tim in my opinion. Pragmatic theory continually applied and executed
I love your work Tim , thanks for all you do.
This topic makes me wonder if there will ever be an interview with Ido Portal. Would love to hear that.
But What about dots being connected in reverse??? As you speak, it seems you are suggesting to join dots forward.
Please Comment.
Wow. thanks Tim.
Just what I needed to hear.