Focus

Warning: This is a rambling post of introspection.

It seems to me like the most effective way to excel at anything in life is to focus on a single thing and do that one thing extremely well.  This is generally good advice in life.  If you are exceptional at any one thing, then you will always be welcome to do that thing wherever the job is needed, it would seem.  However, it doesn't always seem that cut and dry.  I have talent for programming and for music, and yet, I am required to do so many additional things throughout the day.  About half of my GIS job is non-programming work, which I have to do rather well to keep my job.  Outside of work, I commute by bicycle to reduce my financial burden on the family, and to keep in shape.  I also need to play with, discipline, and teach my child.  On top of all that, I also have a current interest in science and photography, and am working on digitizing my entire photo collection and moving it into the cloud for safekeeping.

While this seems like a great deal of diversity, I am under the impression that mine is a fairly simple life compared to my peers!  Is it really possible to be focused on a single task?  I realize that my life on this planet is only useful where it crosses the paths of others, and I want to do what I can to maximize my benefit to the world.  Rhonda Byrne said something like "all you have to do is feel good, and in the end, isn't that all you really want?"  Maybe she's right, and my own opinion of what makes me feel good is to do something that benefits others.  But it would seem like a reasonable statement that one is more beneficial as say, a spectacular musician, than as a good musiciand and good photographer.  And certainly taking time away from those tasks to watch TV or listen to a podcast is detrimental... isn't it?  But those daliances are what make us unique, I think.  And if you take away too many of the side trips, you lose the true purpose of life, which isn't to necessarily be the best at something, but to have great skill and a unique approach.  For the arts, at least.  But even for programmers, many can do something correctly, but only a few can do it with great efficiency or speed or mass appeal, or with whatever unique little quirk is needed at the time.

I had a conversation the other day where I recounted the tale of the blackboard in the sky, upon which was written the true destiny of any one person, and how it likely doesn't exist.  Sometimes I really wish it did.  I wish someone would pull me aside any tell me what it is I should do, but really, that is just my follower's nature coming out.  To some extent, I am meant to be a follower, to create for others, but I won't lose sight of the truth that I am to create something unique, even if it is for someone else.  After all, if it is only for myself, what use does it have?

I end my thoughts in a greater state of confusion and uncertainty.