From Physio to Engineer: Why “Focus on One Thing” Isn’t Always Right

If you’ve ever made a big career pivot, you’ve probably heard this advice: “You need to focus on one thing to do well at it.” I’ve heard it too—many times. And while I get where it’s coming from, it’s not advice I’ve followed.

When I transitioned from physiotherapy to software engineering and then to entrepreneurship, I realised something: my strength wasn’t in sticking to one lane. It was in connecting different lanes. Physiotherapy taught me how to solve human problems, engineering gave me tools to build solutions, and entrepreneurship helped me bring those solutions to life.

But this approach doesn’t always sit well with people. They worry that doing too much means you won’t do any of it well. So, is it really a bad idea to have your hands in different fields?

Why People Say “Focus on One Thing”

Specialisation is the traditional path to success. If you become an expert in one area—whether it’s coding, physiotherapy, or carpentry—you stand out, you’re credible, and people trust you to deliver. There’s no doubt this works.

But here’s the thing: it’s not the only way to succeed. The world loves specialists because they’re predictable. They fit into neat boxes. But what if you’re not meant for a box? What if your strength lies in seeing the bigger picture and connecting the dots?

The Case for Doing Many Things (and Doing Them Well)

For me, blending different skills has been my superpower. Sure, it’s not a conventional approach, and it sometimes confuses people. But it’s also what makes me valuable. Here’s why:

1. Creativity Comes from Diversity When you bring together ideas from different fields, you approach problems in ways specialists often don’t. My background in physiotherapy helps me think about user-centred design in software engineering. My software skills let me build tools like CliniScribe AI to solve real-world healthcare challenges.
2. Adaptability is the New Must-Have Skill The world is changing fast—especially with AI disrupting industries left and right. The ability to adapt, learn quickly, and pivot isn’t just nice to have—it’s survival. Being good at more than one thing makes you more versatile and better prepared for what’s next.
3. Unique Value is Hard to Replace Specialists are great, but they can be replaced—by others with similar expertise or, increasingly, by automation. If you can combine skills in a way no one else can, you become irreplaceable. For me, it’s the ability to integrate physiotherapy, engineering, and entrepreneurship that sets me apart.

But Isn’t It Risky to Do So Many Things?

Absolutely. If you spread yourself too thin, you risk being mediocre at everything. That’s why it’s important to have a core focus. For me, software engineering became my foundation—it’s where I built credibility. But from there, I expanded. I didn’t abandon my past as a physio or my passion for entrepreneurship; I integrated them.

The trick is finding the right balance between depth and breadth. Specialise enough to anchor yourself, but don’t be afraid to explore.

Own Your Unique Path

The world doesn’t always reward people who think differently—at least not right away. But that doesn’t mean you should stop. If you’re someone who thrives at the intersection of fields, lean into it. There’s strength in being a generalist, in being someone who doesn’t fit neatly into one category.

Next time someone tells you to “just focus on one thing,” remember this: focusing on what makes you unique is the best focus you can have. And sometimes, that means doing many things—and doing them well.

Let’s Talk About Your Journey

Have you struggled with the pressure to specialise? Or maybe you’ve found your own way to balance depth and breadth in your career? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your story.