I wonder if people who like to do more than one or two things in their lives cheat themselves by using the term "jack of all trades". Generally their audience finishes the phrase with "master of none."
The more sports-minded sometimes use the term "utility player." Using the term assumes competence, but not star-level skill. After all, stars get a position in which they start every game, not a filler role to step into when someone is hurt or needs a night off.
Watching the last Olympics reminded me that we still honor people for doing a lot of things well -- maybe not world-record well, but certainly at a level worth watching. We call these non-specialists decathletes.
Those who win the gold receive the title of "World's Greatest Athlete" even though they do not hold a single world record in any event.
According to Wikipedia, the difference between an Olympic specialist and an all-arounder is roughly 16%, with the margin much tighter for short-distance running events such as 100m (6.58%) and 110m hurdles (4.66%.)
So when someone decides to label you as a "master of none", maybe you should ask them, "Ever wonder how far Usain Bolt can throw a discus?"
Because their problem may not need a great sprinter as much as it needs someone who can run fast AND throw an object.
