Jack of All Trades - ADHD & Neurodivergence

Often people hear the phrase “a jack of all trades is a master of none” in reference to people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as well as other neurodivergent people. This often feels like a negative phrase that people throw at those with ADHD due to their tendency to switch from hyperfocus to hyperfocus. Learning to rekey a door? Ok, I’ll get all the tools, watch dozens of videos, do it once or twice, and then be bored due to no longer having the dopamine rush. So what do you do? Go to your next hyperfocus! Maybe this time it’s how to draw the perfect hand, complete the expert level sudokus, paint a mural, or bake bread. Whatever it is, the cycle is the same. Learn everything you can about it, do it for a little bit, and then shift focus to something else.

Feeling Like a Failure

When people often switch between hyperfixations, they often feel like failures because neurotypicals don’t understand the need for change. Neurotypical people often find one thing and become the master of it. They are the best at this and find pleasure in continuing to do the same thing or excelling in the same thing. In essence, they become the master of that skill which the world praises them for while at the same time condemning the neurodivergent who can’t seem to stick with anything.

Gaslit for Centuries

While the phrase “a jack of all trades is a master of none” is meant to support neurotypical views of success, what would you think if I let you know that it was misquoted? The full phrase, which is attributed to William Shakespeare, is:

“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”

WOW! We’ve been gaslit for decades to think that neurotypicals are the better ones because they master their tasks while people with neurodivergence go from skill to skill. What does this mean to you?

When I heard it, I wanted to shout it from the rooftops at all the people who used to tease me by calling me a jack of all trades. I also wanted to go back and hug the younger version of me who felt like a failure due to recognizing that she could never fully be a master of one because she would never be able to feel fulfilled with just one thing.

Taking Care of the Jack of All Trades

So what can this mean for you? Instead of judging yourself negatively about all of your different hyperfixations, lean into them. Your hyperfixations are exactly what have led to many changes in the world, scientists believe now. Think of Leonardo da Vinci who hopped between multiple ideas, giving us a genius that continues on today (Cole, L. 2020). Or how about Albert Einstein who was forgetful and disorganized but came up with several theories that are still impacting our knowledge of science today (Cole, L. 2020). Or what about Walt Disney who struggled in school but let his imagination run wild to give us amazing experiences (Cole, L. 2020). Where would the world be without them? Where would the world be without you?

Your fixations on different areas of interest give joy to the world. If you don’t see this, then think about the time that it gives you joy. It doesn’t matter what others think about you or your interests. Does it bring you joy? Then keep going. You got this! Make your joy and screw anything negative that gets in your way.

References:

Cole, L. (2020, May 1). 76 famous successful people with ADHD - mentalup. MentalUP.co. https://www.mentalup.co/blog/famous-people-and-celebrities-with-adhd