The Past Writes the Present

When asked about my skillset, talents, hobbies, and interests I would find myself saying “I dabble.”

In the movie Uncharted (2022) a scene where Nathan Drake (played by Tom Holland) and Victor Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) attend a high-end business event auction in hopes of claiming their item of interest: a key. Gazing upon the amber gemed, golden key Nathan Drake is sprung by lead antagonist Santiago Moncada (played by Antonio Banderas), who proceeds to inform Nathan of the historical details of the key. Then asks Nathan if he is a collector. Where he responds “I dabble.” Standing with smug confidence Santiago replies “I don’t dabble.“

If considering the remainder of Uncharted through the lens of whether it is better to dabble or not, look at the comparison of the core characters. Nathan Drake – our dabbler has a varied skill set. Yet, antagonist Santiago Moncada refers to the same repeated tactics; hire, delegate chain of command, and acquire goods.

To Dabble or Not to Dabble?

Over my life, I have tried a bit of this and a bit of that, yet not fully committed to one thing. I strived to achieve as many things as I could and it provided a great thrill. Often being achievement-focused I was accused of not investing fully into one avenue and taking it further. I would hear comments such as: “Why don’t you invest all your eggs in one basket?” “You would make a fantastic researcher” or “Have you ever considered a career as a teacher?” Yeah, thanks. The thing is, I did not have an interest in those things. When I attended networking events to branch out and find new things of interest to enhance my skill set, I would instead be caught in that awful space with the dreaded“what do you do?”

In what time loop was I stuck from group to group, event to event that I would hear this question and further be judged by it? I would walk into events feeling confident and leave feeling flat and unsure.

This is the cause of expectations.

When others realize your potential and you don’t – you end up listening to the reason of others like it were the Bible and then feel flat things aren’t going how you hoped.

Looking back, I have come to realize all my dabbling has created space, skills, connections, and the ability to fully invest in what I do now.

• As a writer, I still invest much time into research so those skills aren’t wasted.
• As a writer, I still invest time into the imaginative space, creating stories and learning concepts. I also spend time mapping my budget and feeling like a mini accountant. To those who advised becoming an art or mathematics teacher, my skills work better for what I’m doing.
• As a writer, I still invest in networking events with other writers, authors, event staff, and people at large – is a great skill. Sure I didn’t invest in event management, but these skills still serve what I need.

If this was a vote to dabble or not, I would say dabble. A backup developing skill set provides more opportunities and greater possibilities to do more of what you love, in the ways you prefer.

When you go from here, consider what skills you naturally have, and what skills you wish to acquire. What can you do going forward to acquire those skills?

Eg: if public speaking is not quite your thing but you feel you may need it for your future, attend a public speaking workshop, or Toastmasters.

Whatever you choose just remember to Move Fwds!