To Specialize, or not to Specialize?

The modern pentathlon is a multi-sport event which involves shooting, fencing, swimming, equestrian mastery, and middle-distance running. It is contested at the olympics, and there are also international world cup competitions. I find it fascinating that there is a sport which includes multiple sports within it, and the total average level of performance displayed in each is what determines the victor. I think the pentathlon fits in nicely with the tetrahedral, poly-faceted type of philosophy that I admire and try to emulate in my own life activities.

The pentathlon appeals to the renaissance archetype of a multi-faceted individual striving for greatness in various fields. The key to understanding this archetype is to realize that an individual involved in multiple endeavors is actually inspired by one single ideal that unifies his/her various pursuits. Striving for greatness in one arena, in sports, the arts, social prestige, and so on, is the tendency of the majority. But the renaissance spirit asks 'if one, why not the whole?'. Indeed. Why not attempt greatness in multiple fields? You should not be so predisposed to accomplishing a high level in only one sport, art form, or competitive activity.  Try not to limit yourself too much, you know?

Of course, it is not quite that easy. The reason why most talented people limit themselves to one area is that they want to specialize. In specializing, dedicating your focus and energy in one area, you can gain a level of skill and expertise that would not be matched if you had decided to branch out into different fields. There can be a significant cost to spreading yourself too thin. You do not achieve the level of ability in a single area that you could have, and that extra fraction of technique never gained or a slightly inferior understanding of the subject means that you do not attain that fine level of greatness that you would have if you had devoted yourself to the path of narrow specialization.

But what if? What if you go out into multiple fields, and in an overall sense achieve way more in total than you would have if you specialized? Isn't life about maximizing your potential? Aren't you limiting your potential by just doing one thing, even if you do it extremely well? That ultimately is for you decide, of course. Life demands the absolute best from you. You therefore must show your best in life each and every single day. To do any less would be a disappointment. It can be a hard journey, true, but your earnest efforts will provide a worthy reward. How can you accept doing any less than you are capable of, besides? As to the question of whether to take a more specialized approach or to be more broadly applied, you really need to possess the self-knowledge about your own potential and inclinations in that regard. I believe some are born more inclined and fit to be specialized, whereas others are in fact better for a broad, multiple endeavor style of approach. Whatever maximizes you is what makes sense.