Talk About Trying: Being Great Is Not the Point

The other day, my friend posted a story about Kurt Vonnegut on Facebook. To summarize the anecdote, 15-year-old Vonnegut explains to an archeologist he’s working with on a summer dig all of the activities he’s involved in like sports, theater, music etc. The archeologist is impressed, but Vonnegut adds that he is not very good at any of the activities. What the archeologist says in response leaves a lasting impression on Vonnegut: “I don’t think being good at things is the point of doing them.”

I’ve been reflecting on this story, and how it relates to our current world. With more free time and more home time, I’ve seen friends whip up new creations in the kitchen, pick up a skill like knitting or sewing, and return to passions like painting and writing (myself included). My hope is that these newfound or remembered passions won’t dissipate and won’t be cast as frivolous once life goes back to “normal.”

What resonates with me about the Vonnegut story, is that most of us tend to think that a passion or hobby is only worth pursuing if we excel at it. We have to make luxury-shop-worthy candles, or the most decorated cupcakes, or have a singing voice like an angel. Why waste time on a skill that isn’t going to go somewhere, right? Why put energy into an activity if there’s no hope that we will ever be the best?