Happiness and Interest: an Article by L. Ron Hubbard

ilettantism is supposed to mean “good at many things.” But one can extend its meaning to “unprofessional at everything.” A dilettante is somebody who starts a savage run at something and is very enthusiastic at first. For example, he is going to learn how to be a jet pilot. Great enthusiasm. (Of course, dilettantes mainly come into the field of the arts, but we will just extend it to all of man’s activities.) “Oh boy, am I going to be a jet pilot. Oh man, am I going to be a jet pilot!” Then the instructor says, “Well, here we have to learn to do this and do that, and you have to learn the army regulations and you have to learn how to make a bed.” Now he is not quite as enthusiastic as he was before. Enter