A Master Of None?

I have a problem with not knowing things. But even more, I seem to have a problem with not being able to do everything. Essentially, I am a serial ‘jack-of-all-trades’.

You see, I am currently a freelance designer and front-end developer. But whenever a potential clients asks me, “Can you build me an online store?” or “Do you do apps?”, my insides churn as I reluctantly tell them “No”.

I know that being able to do these things isn’t necessarily part of my job description, so I shouldn’t feel so bad about not being able to do them. I mean, the best designers and developers are the best because they devote their careers to a specialising in a certain area. Isn’t it better to be known as the best at one thing, than to be good enough at everything?

While I can rationally see the answer, unfortunately I know I will never be able to take my own advice. I recently had an idea for a startup which will create a new web-based platform (the details of which I am too paranoid to disclose). In order to make my idea a reality, I would need people to build the app, people for the administration of the business, consultants for the legal and accounting side, etc. I immediately signed up for classes in Business, Finance, and Ruby. This is just insane.

Although, through doing a lot of research, I have accepted that it would be a horrible idea to try to do everything myself, I cannot accept that I will be in the dark about any aspect of the project. If my plan goes through, I intend on hiring more experienced people (and, ironically, those that are experts in their particular field). But I still need to know that, if someone was suddenly unavailable, I could temporarily step to the part.

I guess there is a part of me that is always dissatisfied with my current knowledge and ability. This trait does have its good sides. It means that I am always up for learning something new, which is essential in the technology industry. But it also means that I may unfortunately always be a master of none.