"人はすべてにおいて多すぎて、何もない存在になることがある"

Sometimes we try to dabble in so many different things that we end up not being great at anything at all. Imagine spreading yourself too thin, juggling too many balls, and in the end, they all come crashing down. That’s the heart of this quote – trying to be good at everything often means you end up mastering nothing.

This idea has probably popped up throughout history and in many different contexts. Think about the Renaissance period, with figures like Leonardo da Vinci who seemed to excel at multiple disciplines. But, for every da Vinci, there were countless others who tried to be polymaths and ended up mediocre in all their pursuits. This saying might've come from the realization that, while dabbling in various interests can be enriching, it can also lead to a lack of deep expertise or significant achievement in any one area.

Let’s take a modern-day example. Picture Jane, an ambitious young professional. She wants to excel in her career, so she signs up for every training program, networking event, and workshop she can find. At the same time, she's trying to maintain a perfect social life, pick up new hobbies, and stay super fit. Sounds exhausting, right? Jane ends up being okay at a lot of things, but never quite excels. She knows a bit about yoga, can cook a decent meal, has surface-level knowledge in multiple professional areas, but no deep expertise in her actual job. Her colleagues, who focus on one or two key areas, end up advancing while Jane feels stuck and frustrated.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your life? It’s about prioritizing and focusing on what truly matters to you. Think about your key goals and passions. What do you want to be known for? What excites you the most? Dedicate your time and energy to becoming really good at those things. It doesn't mean you can't have hobbies or other interests, but they should complement your main focus, not detract from it.

Imagine you're at a coffee shop with a friend, discussing your career or personal goals. Your friend tells you about a time they tried to do it all – work, study, social life, fitness, and more. They were constantly busy but never felt accomplished. Then, they decided to focus on their career, specifically on becoming a better project manager. They took on challenging projects, sought mentorship, and read extensively on the subject. Other areas of their life didn’t disappear, but they stopped trying to excel at everything. As a result, they became highly skilled and recognized in their field, which brought more satisfaction and balance to their life.

In the end, it’s about finding that sweet spot between versatility and specialization. So, next time you feel spread too thin, remember – it’s okay to focus on a few things and do them really well. You don't need to be everything to everyone. It’s better to be deeply good at what you love and what matters most. And who knows? By mastering one area, you might find it opens doors to other opportunities in the future.