There’s a very old saying that “Genius is 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration”.
For those who are interested in knowing this, this is now backed up by scientific evidence, and research. The research says that you have to “devote” at least 10,000 hours in the field of your choice to become what people call a Genius in that field.
So, let’s say you have chosen a field you are interested in, and start devoting 5 hours a day to study, reasearch and find information in that field, including past, present and future of what is planned for that field, it means you devote 5×365 hours a year. This is 1825 hours if my calculator tells me correctly. So for 10,000 hours, it means, almost 5.47 years, roughly 5.5 years, or at the most, in round figures, 6 years. Do you think you want to do that? Not a very high price to be called a Genius, is it?
Now would you also liked to be called a “Versatile Genius”? For that you should be a “Genius” in one field, and a “Master” in as many as you have time for. If I intrapolate, if to be a Genius it requires 10,000 hours, or 5.5 years, or in round figures 6 years, if you devote 5 hours a day, then to be a Master should not require more than 3 years. So to be a Master in three fields, you require to spend 5 hours a day in those three fields for 9 years.
Now, just tell me, is that asking for too much to be called a “Versatile Genius”?
But yes, whatever the field, it should be of your choice, and if possible not a forced decision, or out of compulsion, and you should be passionate about it. But of course, keep in mind the practicalities of life too. But I do not think, people would mind paying a Genius, in any field, especially if you are a Versatile Genius.
Just to let you know, the famed, and sometimes controversial M. F. Hussain, used to paint billboards to make a living when he started his career. There are numerous other examples.
Degrees help, but only to get you that coveted break, after that it’s all your effort.