Yes And

There’s an honesty in identifying irrational fears that allow you to grow. I don’t wear collared shirts, jeans or black shoes and that’s just me. I’m kind of jealous when I see other people pulling that fit together, but it will never be me.

Other concerns are a little more real.

A young woman asked a blunt question last Friday: “Should I major in art when I’m told you can’t make money in art?”

Bjerre’s real life example doubled down on that question: he majored in art and basketball — two fields of study that are known not for being lucrative for many of their graduates.

Bjerre studied other skills along the way that would make him invaluable because the combination of skills and talents can be rich like peanut butter and jelly. Blending passion and practicality is true alchemy — like sneaker law or sports business.

Unfortunately, not every institution or industry welcomes a dual focus or mindset. “Jack of all trades, master of none” is an intentional slight. The specialist over the generalist. The committed over the uncommitted.

My dedication to the spreadsheet did not win me many fans in my early Nike design days.

Fortunately, the real world is less black & white. Complementary skills and knowledge become a well stocked refrigerator of opportunity. You just need to understand what people are hungry for.

Of course there will be videos of singularly focused champions who didn’t listen to the dream squashers. Becoming a footwear designer in 1996 wasn’t exactly an obvious livelihood.

The privilege of being singularly focused with a safety net isn’t everyone’s reality. Every SoundCloud bar isn’t spit equally. Understand that your multiple finish lines may take longer to cross. Iguadala-like results might be the extreme to pursue, but finding your personal balance will be healthier when your health is your priority.

The difference between irrational fear and rational fear is math. Likelihood. Percentages. Zip codes and melanin matter. For some folks these numbers are worth further consideration.

“Chase your dreams!” is definitely a better T-shirt than “Diversify your investments!” but dinner with Buffett or Carter might speak otherwise.

As for the T-shirts, I’m just happy neither of them have collars.

Good things.