Dear Master Jack (of all trades),

Yes, I adore you and for most of my life I am guilty as you do. Between us and the rest of your followers, we only aspire to be the master of all and that's not a fallacy.

Like you, as an aspiring master of listening (being one of your many trades, Jack), I am hearing these in this very moment:

1. You are competing against the Professionals who do one thing (and one thing only) really well. They are almost certainly better than you.
2. The beneficiary of your good deed does not really care about you many abilities, she just want the best solution she can get for her anxiety (your amateurish mediocrity is killing her…).
3. Do not assume that the professional standards are not expected of you (as you are also the master of trying...). While you claimed victory by coming close, are the recipients of your nearly-there work been shortchanged? Haven't you been at the receiving end of your many disciples? Were you delighted?

As an aspiring master of sharing, I urge you to be a Samaritan to all that you serve by:

1. Seeking guidance of the professionals that do better;
2. Learn and be as good as the professionals, if not better; or
3. Do what the professionals wouldn't do...

For that it pays to be focus and for that it take wisdom to quit the foolish attempts; long may the force be with you!

From another Jack
February 2009

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