The oddest of revelations

I had an ‘aha’ moment. A point of reflection. A revelation. It wasn’t one of those great moments in history where everything falls into place — no, it was nearly depressing!

I realized today — at some point — that I am GOOD at a lot of different things, but not GREAT at any of them.

Now, why would that be?

Perhaps it’s my own attitude. I get to a point of satisfaction with whatever it is I am doing and happily sit at that level while I watch others explode onto the scene figuratively taking the glory I once sought.

Or do I still?

Perhaps it’s in the fact that I do so many different things — I am a generalist, not a specialist. I enjoy working in different areas and thus can’t take the time to solidify on any ONE thing to become GREAT at it.

For example — I’m a GOOD photographer. But I still haven’t taken the steps to get certified. I submit to contests and such, but get minimal recognition, yet I have a successful business (relatively speaking).

I’m a GOOD writer, but of course, I’m not published. Do I want to be the conventional way? Sometimes I waver on that. A contract with a publishing house would be swwwweeeeeet(!) but sometimes I wonder if it’s really what I want … to give up so many “rights” to the words that flow from my head to my fingers.

I’m a GOOD piano player — and was even better when I was teen — competed a few times then stopped. But I’d been GOOD for so long it seemed that getting to GREAT wasn’t worth it. I can actually remember the 2nd competition — I totally screwed up — my fingers were freezing which is the worst thing that could happen to me. And I can’t memorize stuff worth a darn, so all in all everyone was better than me.

Now the odd part about all this is that I put myself out there regularly! I submit to writing contests, photography contests, piano competitions (way back when). I put myself into a position where others will see the GOOD, but not GREAT part of me and I’m totally and completely fine with that. Why is that?

Makes me wonder if being GOOD at so many different things is actually GREAT … because I’m happy with it? But sometimes it’s depressing to see the “rock stars” of photography — their work is sometimes a ton better than mine and sometimes not (mostly it is) and think “could I do that?” “Could I be them if I … ”

– worked harder? Not possible.
– worked more hours? Not possible unless I don’t want to see my family ever again … hmmmmm…. no no, not an option.
– took tons of classes and improved my skills? Oh yeah, that. I did that — remember? I have a graduate degree.

Am I the greatest MBA graduate there is? Nope. But I’m Good.
Am I the greatest marketer in the world? Nope. But I’m Good.

If I weren’t we’d not be holding our own during this rough economic time.

There is a type of writer, in the writing world, that aren’t looked positively upon, but not negatively either. They are the ones that really keep the industry rolling — the “mid-listers” I think they’re called. Not the rock stars, but constantly creative, always writing authors who are frequently published.

In photography — that’s probably where I am … the middle of the road.

Is middle GREAT? I don’t think so.

Is middle GOOD? It is. Very good.

I have a successful business. I can do many things well — write, read, photograph, market (not the grocery kind — apparently I’m NOT very good at that), run a business, etc. And I have time (or some of it) for my kids.

I personally take Joseph to school every morning.
I personally take the girls to school every morning.
I work all day in a studio designed just for ME … that I OWN.
I have my evenings to do “whatever” I want … if I want.
I read a book a week.
I write a book a quarter (or that’s how it’s turning out right now).
I come up with new things to be GOOD at at least every couple of years.

Ron noted tonight at dinner that I have a resume that no one can touch. It’s FULL of exceptional-ness, to use Po’s words from Kung Fu Panda (I highly recommend that movie!).

I have a GOOD life. Is it GREAT?

Yeah. I think it is.