The Jack of All Trades Dilemma: Finding Clarity in Chaos

The Struggle of Not Knowing What’s Next

I’ve wrestled with this feeling for years—giving myself the pep talk, convincing myself I know where I’m headed, only to wake up on too many days thinking, What am I even doing with my life?

Growing up, I learned a lot of different skills. I know trade work—plumbing, electrical, carpentry. I know creative work—writing, design, speaking. But I never truly mastered any one thing. And that’s a hard pill to swallow.

I see people around me specializing, excelling in a single field. Meanwhile, I’m spread thin across too many passions, too many unfinished ideas. That’s why creative work online has been such a challenge—I have some skills, some knowledge, but no single niche to fully lean into.

It’s frustrating. Some days, I hate having so many interests. I hate that I enjoy writing but don’t know what it takes to be an actual writer. I hate that I have stacks of books but can’t sit down long enough to finish them. And I hate that this constant uncertainty kills my motivation.

Just Quit

But I can’t quit. As much as I’d like to, something inside won’t let me.

Years ago, I had a moment of clarity—I told my wife, “I don’t know what it is, but there’s something inside me that’s locked, and I have to unlock it.” That feeling hasn’t gone away.

And the truth is, if you’re feeling this way, it means you’re supposed to keep going. You just need to figure out how to navigate it.

You might feel like being a jack of all trades is a weakness. It’s not. The world rewards specialists, but it also rewards connectors—people who take knowledge from multiple areas and create something new.

Instead of seeing yourself as “not an expert” in anything, ask yourself:

How can I combine my skills in a way that’s unique?

What’s something I naturally do without forcing it?

If I had to pick one thing to work on for the next 6 months, what would it be?

You don’t need a lifelong niche, but you do need a focus—at least for now.

The Perfectionism Trap: Just Put in the Reps

One of the biggest things holding me back (and maybe you too) is that I know what good work looks like. I know what I want to create, but I’m not there yet.

And that gap? It hurts.

The only way to get better is to put in the reps—even when the work sucks.

Set a goal: Publish something every day or week.

Detach from results: Your first 100 pieces won’t be your best—accept it.

Study what you admire: Reverse-engineer why you like certain creators and apply it.

Perfectionism is fear disguised as high standards. The only way past it is through doing the work.

You’re Not “Too Late” to Start

The thought that it’s too late to learn something new or shift careers is a lie.

Think about it:

If you started 3 years ago, where would you be now?

If you start today, where will you be 3 years from now?

The time will pass either way. The only difference is whether you’re further ahead or still stuck in doubt.

Good Taste vs. Skill Level—The Hidden Battle

The reason so many creatives struggle in the beginning is simple:

You have good taste—you know what great work looks like.

But you don’t have the skill (yet) to match your own standards.

And that’s painful. Because every time you create something, it doesn’t live up to what’s in your head. But that’s normal. Every great artist, writer, or creator went through this stage. The difference is that they kept going.

Think of your journey like a movie—you’re the main character, and you’re still in the messy middle. The struggle is part of the arc.

So the solution? Put out the work anyway. The more you create, the better you get.

Follow the Pull, Even When It Sucks

Some days, you’ll want to quit. Some days, the doubt will be overwhelming. But something inside you keeps pushing forward—and that’s not an accident.

The path isn’t clear yet. But that doesn’t mean you’re lost. It means you’re in the process of figuring it out.

Your breakthrough won’t come from finding one perfect thing. It’ll come from consistent action.

So make the decision:

Start today.

Keep moving.

Trust that the right path will reveal itself.

Because in the end, the only real failure is quitting.

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See you in the next one. Peace.
—Durmic