I believe that my blog is aptly named - Eclectic - which means (according to the google dictionary): "Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources." I feel like my life has been shaped by ideas from all over the place. I've tried to learn how to code, to build, to lead, to follow, to play... and I just haven't found one skill that I want to be the absolute best at or to make a living off of. Part of the reason I chose to graduate in Electrical Engineering was because it was something to work toward (rather than taking a bunch of random interesting classes).
Where do I want to be?
So here I am going into my Junior core and I feel like I don't have a hard skill to contribute to society. I can code a bit of java, I can remember how to do some basic math and I have a good sense for organization and aesthetics... but is that enough? I feel like I waste space at the companies where I work. I feel like everyone else my age has buckled down and has really become amazing or knowledgeable in something while I'm sitting there trying to think of the next thing that I can learn the basics of.
I want to become an expert at something! And it must be something that I really want to do! So first I will start out with a list of what I've already got going:
I can...
program in java
calculate some high level math
perform vocally (solo or in choirs)
lift and move heavy things (that one comes in handy)
organize and lead a group of people
write legibly
think clearly
fall asleep really easia;ldkjguth;lj... just kidding (but really)
do basic web design (html, css, wordpress)
design basic electronic circuits and computer hardware
clean
read
act
play
pretend
create
understand difficult concepts
operate a computer (or really any kind of gadget)
play a couple intros to pop songs on the piano
bite apples in half
get down a double black diamond alive on a snowboard
climb mountains
buy things
phone a friend (or mom :) )...
Now a list of things that I'd like to be able to do:
Design epic (yet intuitive) websites
Program impressive (functional) mobile applications
Understand the mesh of all the different kinds of programming
Succeed in building a profitable business (Entrepreneurship)
Become a marketing/design guru (Innovation)
Be involved in the music business (hardware, record label, recording, singing...)
Retire and teach the upcoming generations
Design and develop consumer products
Smile as much as possible
Contribute collected, sensible and profound thoughts to society
Deliver my opinions and feelings in peaceful, uplifting, and at times, entertaining ways
Make an impact
Be the best husband, father and servant of the Lord I possibly can!
Neither list is absolutely complete but it's a good start. I believe that it's fair to say that ultimately I want to make a difference. Not only do I feel fulfilled when I have used my talents to help someone else but I know that their life is better because of it.
What have I been doing?
To get to where I want to be there is so much to be done. Right now I have a list of 15 books that I want to buy and read. Most of them are on the topics of entrepreneurship and innovation. I have an additional 5 or 6 which I own and have yet to read. I've also been telling myself that I need to buy and old marketing textbook and digest that over the summer. Knowing that I tend to get behind during the fall and winter semesters, I've also dreamed of reading ahead in the textbooks for next semester. If that's not enough to read, I seek to spend time in the scriptures and church books each day. Wow... you want to know how I've done on all of that? So far this spring I have completed 1 book, The Infinite Atonement. A good one to finish, but nevertheless a pitiful start to a spring and summer supposedly dedicated to becoming an expert.
From the paragraph above it sounds like I believe that reading books will bring the expertise that I'm reaching for. I realize that there is likely more value in trial by fire. Unfortunately, I haven't managed to get out build a company, design a product or start a record label either.
This is what I have been doing instead:
I've been to St. George a couple times to see family friends
I've been training early in the mornings for triathlons (Bought a Bike)
I've been interning full-time in Draper at a Home Automation company called Control4 (C4)
I've set up a poor excuse of a home theater with some equipment from C4 (Bought a TV)
I've been watching TV and Movies (Not so proud of that one)
I've been longboarding down the canyon trail (Bought a Longboard... and a helmet :) )
I've been climbing in Rock Canyon
I've been going on dates
I've been hosting parties
I've been playing pick-up sports with the ward
I've been going to ward and stake functions
I've been running races
I've been in church meetings
I've been working at my second job
I've been cleaning the apartment, doing laundry and shopping
I've been cooking dinner for dinner group
and now I've even been typing this blog
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| Rock Canyon 2011 |
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| Canyons Resort 2012 |
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| Regency Ball 2011 |
Of course, none of this is bad... but it becomes an issue of priorities, planning and evaluating "good, better, best". I've given myself a bit of everything to do, because I love to do just about everything.
What to do now?
To my mind comes a one word solution: Sacrifice. I have been so focused on doing it all, but I'm not meant to do it all and I can't do it all. I've become stretched so thin that I haven't been doing any of it at level that brings fulfillment. I need to put some hobbies and dreams on the back burner so that I can actually accomplish at least some of my goals. I'm not sure what is going to go, but something has got to give.
Let me know your thoughts. Some questions to get you thinking: How have you dealt with this situation? Is it possible to do it all? How do you become an expert? Why do some people accomplish some much and others achieve very little? Any tips on how to retain valuable information? How do you become the best you?
