They say, “Jack of all trades, master of none,” but I’ve always felt that phrase doesn’t tell the whole story. For me, being a jack of all trades is about enjoying the variety that life has to offer. From hobbies like cycling and photography to learning new skills at work, exploring different interests keeps me engaged and always learning. Sure, it’s not always the best for my wallet, but it keeps life fun, challenging, and meaningful. Here’s why being a jack of all trades works for me—and why it’s okay for you to be one too.
Seasonal Hobbies: Keeping Life Fun and Varied
One of the biggest perks of having multiple hobbies is the flexibility to enjoy them when the timing feels right. Take cycling, for example. It’s a blast during the cooler months here in South Texas. There’s nothing like cruising on your bike, feeling the wind and taking in the scenery. But come summer, when the heat is in full swing, cycling becomes unbearable. Instead of pushing through those sweltering conditions, I simply shift my focus to something else.
When it’s too hot for outdoor activities, I turn to other interests like hitting the gym or going on photowalks in the early morning or evening. I enjoy being more intentional with photography during these times, trying new techniques, watching tutorials, and exploring the latest trends. It’s a great way to continue learning without feeling like I need to constantly invest in new gear or dive too deep into any one hobby for too long.
Another bonus of having a wide range of hobbies is how it impacts what I consume online. Switching between different interests means I’m always finding fresh content—whether it’s photography tips, fitness advice, or gaming strategies. This keeps things exciting and helps me stay up to date without getting stuck in a rut. The variety of content out there fuels my curiosity and helps me learn something new without feeling overwhelmed by any one hobby.
When I’m not outdoors or creating, I dive into more relaxing activities like reading or playing on my Switch or Anbernic handheld. With so many hobbies, the changing seasons don’t limit me—they just give me more opportunities to explore different interests. It keeps things fresh and ensures I’m never bored.
The Professional Edge of Being a Jack of All Trades
Being a jack of all trades isn’t just about having multiple hobbies—it’s a mindset that extends into my professional life, especially with the rapid growth of technology and AI. AI has completely transformed how I work. For example, it’s helped me quickly develop projects for web by generating copy, wireframes, and SEO-focused elements. On the video side, I use AI to script videos, which I can then pair with another system that creates audio for those scripts.
These tools have allowed me to create over 100 videos in the last six months, which are used for both paid ads and organic content across multiple platforms. Collectively, these videos have generated over half a million views. The speed and efficiency AI provides have been game changers, letting me execute projects quickly without consuming too many resources. It’s made my work more systematic while allowing room for creativity.
Having a diverse skill set also makes me more adaptable. Whether I’m troubleshooting a project, managing a marketing campaign, or working on client relationships, my ability to connect the dots across different fields has been incredibly valuable. I can blend creative thinking with structured processes, which not only improves productivity but also results in more innovative solutions.
Connecting the Dots: Why I Love Trying New Things
What I love most about being a jack of all trades is how everything seems to connect. Random skills or facts I’ve picked up from one area often translate to another. For example, my experience as a graphic designer in the print industry unexpectedly rolled over into my woodworking hobby.
When I ran my design business, wedding invitations were one of my go-to projects. A couple of times a week, I needed to design and print these invites, which required optimizing my workflow to make the most of each sheet of paper. I had to figure out how to fit multiple pieces—like invitations, favor tags, and place cards—onto a single sheet without wasting any material.
Later, when I got into woodworking, I found myself applying the same principles. Maximizing the use of a sheet of plywood and measuring precisely down to fractions of an inch felt familiar. These kinds of unexpected crossovers between different areas make learning new things exciting and valuable.
One of my favorite memories from woodworking was during the pandemic. My dad, brother, and I decided to build two simple shelf systems for the house. My dad had some scrap materials lying around, and I drew up the plans to make it work. It was a bit more challenging since the materials weren’t perfect, but the experience of working together was what made it so special. It was one of the last projects we did together before my dad passed away, and I’m grateful for that time—made possible by this hobby I picked up.
Everything is connected, and that’s why I love exploring different hobbies—there’s always something new to discover that can enhance what I already know.
Conclusion: Embracing the Joy of Variety
Being a jack of all trades isn’t about trying to be the best at everything. It’s about embracing the variety and richness that life offers. It’s about learning new things, staying engaged, and finding balance in both work and play. So, if you’ve ever felt pressured to focus on just one thing, remember there’s immense value in being versatile. It might not make you the master of one trade, but it will make you more adaptable, curious, and satisfied in all areas of life.
