Specialization is for insects
I genuinely believe that being a human means experiencing this world we live in.
The possibilities are endless and may cause discomfort — which is good. It puts into perspective the actual experience of having a life and having only one certainty, which is death.
Putting labels at your work or over-specializing can be a very shiny trap.
The only thing needed is intentional direction. It can shift through time as long as it is being chosen by you, not by others.
We often complain about our monotonous careers, that we “can’t keep up” with market changes, that we are afraid of being replaced, etc. That’s because we’re not treating our days as notes on a bigger symphony.
It does not matter what you do specifically; what matters is that you know how to navigate it. By navigating, I mean going towards your personal and professional goals.
the experimentation phase:
The good news or bad news is that there’s no phase, but there are certainly moments when you will experiment more than usual — especially when you’re not feeling right about what direction to take.
Chaos precedes clarity, so you’re okay.
In moments of clarity, direction will set the tone. And it will be guided by some things like:
Who are you as a professional? What are the current skills, experiences, and areas you feel confident executing?
Who do you want to be? We’re talking about growth here. What is the ideal type of person you want to be and what is the ideal professional future? If you’re struggling to envision this, ensure you don’t have an underlying sense of “I don’t deserve it” blocking you from dreaming.
What are your values as a creative? What are the principles and beliefs that guide your life and work? This could include a commitment to innovation, a passion for helping others, etc.
Those three questions are not simple for someone not ready to sit with themselves and ruminate about life (they can give you a bit of an existential crisis). Again, great — you’re thinking more for yourself and breaking some invisible blocks you’ve been attaching to your personality.
"Specialization is for insects. A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly." – Robert A. Heinlein
If you’re ready to exceed, grow, and face some discomfort, you’re ready to explore your interests, strengths, and values.
Those three things will form the foundation of your creative identity and define the foundation of your core work.
