Obsessives Rule, OK!
I have a pet theory that the world can be divided into two types of person: Obsessives and Generalists. Obsessives pursue one particular passion to the exclusion of all others; Generalists spread themselves over a broad range of interests and occupations.
Unfortunately for me, I fall squarely into the latter camp. I say unfortunately, because the world is run by, and therefore organised for the benefit of, Obsessives. Who is it that rises to the top in any profession? The Obsessive – for it is they who will be the workaholic who pursues one thing single-mindedly to the exclusion of everything else. The Obsessive then makes sure that obsessive behaviour is the only sort that is rewarded, which makes life very difficult for the Generalist – your behaviour is seen as dilettante, and lacking in commitment, and you are never likely to rise far.
It was whilst taking a break away from election campaigning this weekend, at the behest of my wife, that I was reminded again of my dictum. On first becoming politically active I was struck at how unusual I appeared to be – a 30-something with two small children. Most of my new colleagues were in their fifties or older, leavened with a smattering of 20-somethings. The key factor uniting them was their relative lack of other commitments.
Yet even the most obsessive Obsessive will be pressured towards Generalist behaviour when they have a young family and a home life to maintain. For a natural Generalist who doesn’t want to end up in the divorce courts, political activity will always have to be part of a “balanced portfolio”. And thus it was that I enjoyed my time away from the fray, engaging in various types of domestic activity and my first trip rowing on the river for over a month
Striking a balance is no bad thing – and it sustains me when the juggling act becomes particularly precarious. Life in this country would be a lot better for many people if the Generalists were in charge. We can’t afford to leave everything to the Obsessives, particularly not Politics.
Unfortunately for me, I fall squarely into the latter camp. I say unfortunately, because the world is run by, and therefore organised for the benefit of, Obsessives. Who is it that rises to the top in any profession? The Obsessive – for it is they who will be the workaholic who pursues one thing single-mindedly to the exclusion of everything else. The Obsessive then makes sure that obsessive behaviour is the only sort that is rewarded, which makes life very difficult for the Generalist – your behaviour is seen as dilettante, and lacking in commitment, and you are never likely to rise far.
It was whilst taking a break away from election campaigning this weekend, at the behest of my wife, that I was reminded again of my dictum. On first becoming politically active I was struck at how unusual I appeared to be – a 30-something with two small children. Most of my new colleagues were in their fifties or older, leavened with a smattering of 20-somethings. The key factor uniting them was their relative lack of other commitments.
Yet even the most obsessive Obsessive will be pressured towards Generalist behaviour when they have a young family and a home life to maintain. For a natural Generalist who doesn’t want to end up in the divorce courts, political activity will always have to be part of a “balanced portfolio”. And thus it was that I enjoyed my time away from the fray, engaging in various types of domestic activity and my first trip rowing on the river for over a month
Striking a balance is no bad thing – and it sustains me when the juggling act becomes particularly precarious. Life in this country would be a lot better for many people if the Generalists were in charge. We can’t afford to leave everything to the Obsessives, particularly not Politics.
posted by Apollo Project at 3:57 PM
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