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Why do generalists succeed in an increasingly specialized world?

Author Name: David Epstein

Translator: Al-Harith Al-Nabhan

Many experts say that anyone who wants to develop their skills should start early and focus on as many hours of detailed practice as possible. If they hesitate or delay, they will fail to keep up with those who start early. But a closer look at the studies shows that early specialization is the exception, not the rule. David Epstein took a close look at a group of the most successful athletes, artists, musicians, inventors, and scientists and discovered that non-specialists are the ones who are most likely to excel in most fields (especially those characterized by complexity and unpredictability). Often, non-specialists find their way only later, after frequently switching between interests instead of focusing on one. But they become more creative, more agile, and more able to see connections and interconnections that their more specialized peers fail to see.