A Trivial Pursuit?

In managing your career or your life you have two main options: focus or diversification.

If your career were a game of Trivial Pursuit, would you prefer it if the game was won by collecting pieces that are all of the same colour, or collecting pieces of different colours?

These are the options, and getting caught in the middle only hurts.

Focus

Adopting a strategy of focus can yield great benefits. The division of labour, academic and other forms of specialisation, and the opportunity to be the best in your world only come about through the persistent and dogged pursuit of this approach.

Aim to master your field. Get to know your peers and rise to the top of the pile.

Place a bet and follow through.

(Oh, and know when to quit.)

Diversification

For many, whether by reason of accident or intent, diversification is their playground. Acquiring and integrating multiple skill sets, industries, or other fields of endeavour is a natural way of developing.

It’s one thing to have mastery of a field. It’s another to have sufficient knowledge to be able to use that mastery in multiple ways to enhance your career, develop clients, or multiply your knowledge.

Approach life with an open mind. Look for the learning opportunity in everything.

Strive to create connections between seemingly disparate endeavours.

(Oh, and know when to seek out a true expert.)

A third way?

What do you see as the third way? How do you approach this challenge?