Sometimes you scoop, sometimes you stab. Either way, you always disappoint…

Have you ever used a spork and thought, “Wow, that was the best fork I’ve ever used!!!” Or maybe, “Man, this spoon with pokers works better than any spoon I’ve ever tried!!”

Probably not.

Sporks are a combined utensil – they offer the bowl of a spoon with the tines of a fork, but let’s be honest – a spork neither stabs as well as a fork nor scoops as well as a spoon.

In fact they often fall quite short of that mark.

This idea forms the first part of the spork principle –

A combined implement, while able to perform multiple functions, does none quite as well as the specialized tools.

Unfortunately though, many of us stop there when it comes to understanding these majestic utensils.

Why am I talking about sporks? I believe we all start out as sporks – we are able to do many things, but none very well. And for those of us Jack-of-all-trades types out there, or nerds-of-all-trade these days, it may be difficult to find a ‘passion’ or specialize in anything, so we remain sporks.

Most of us have been brought up on this idea that we need to decide what we’re going to spend the rest of our lives doing by the age of 18 so that we can go to college and specialize. Having multiple interests seems to almost be discouraged in favor of a narrow and deep focus on one specific field.

I’d like to share with you the rest of the spork principle –

However, being still able to perform both or all functions to some degree, it remains ahead of any specialist in interdisciplinary tasks.

In situations where we need to be multi-skilled and adaptable, having expertise in a very narrow field can be a huge disadvantage. And when we start out, we’re not going to be the fierce-pierce fork or the smooth-talkin’ spoon.

When it comes down to it, a spork is not ideal for eating applesauce, but it’s better than trying to use a fork. I’d rather be able to do many things to some level of competency than only one thing extremely well.

In the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey, it’s really beneficial to be a spork. You will be confronted with all sorts of challenges and tasks which require a broad range of skills and knowledge.

From there, you can experiment with what you’re best at and eventually craft yourself into a specialized tool – I… didn’t mean it that way… you can refine your focus into what best contributes to your mission and vision.

If you are just starting out on your journey, know that it’s ok to not be an expert yet. You will develop as you go. But throughout the process, recognize even your weaker skills and talents, and how they have contributed to your growth and success.

You are a spork, my friend.

A combined implement, while able to perform multiple functions, does none quite as well as the specialized tools. However, being still able to perform both or all functions to some degree, it remains ahead of any specialist in interdisciplinary tasks.

The Spork Principle

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