A few years ago, I was restless and overwhelmed. I had quit my “day job” and wanted to give this “lifestyle business” thing a crack.
I was coming from a place of no previous experience with business. No idea what digital nomadism (that I was soon to embrace) meant. And no clue what I was going to do next.
In school, I got good grades in English essay writing. Friends and cousins would ask me for upping the quality of their work in writing.
So I figured, the night before I was about to quit, perhaps writing was my thing. The next night, I sat down to compile a plan of sorts. This was going to be great! Hell yeah.
I wrote down what I was going to call my business; what services will I provide, how will I find clients and much more. I started spreading the news that I was no longer working in IT and this was my new pursuit.
Of course, I was scared, so made the announcement to a few near and dear ones who I knew would support me. If you tell the world about your new venture just as you’re starting out, you will find many people will try to bring you down (unintentionally). They care about you and want to warn you against the risks you’re taking.
Fair enough. But at that point, I did not need anyone “advising” me about the do’s and don’ts of my life. I was doing just fine.
For a few months, I continued writing with enthusiasm. I was growing my business and had good contacts and several happy clients. Things were moving at a nice pace. Life was good.
I realised this is what is known as living your passion. This is having a lifestyle business where you can work when you want and sleep when you want. In the mornings, you can go to a cafe and finish that juicy assignment, or if you prefer a quieter space, try the library.
There are no limits of a nagging boss or the confinements of an office cubicle.
In short, making a living out of your passion felt awesome.
The U-turn
. . . until I started feeling restless and overwhelmed — again. Something was missing. I had designed a life I always wanted to, but something was not quite right.
I found I was pursuing other interests and not giving 100% to my writing. I didn’t want to quit freelancing yet, but I didn’t want to be too attached to be doing just that for the rest of my life.
Scary.
So what did I want?
Well, let’s see. I wanted to start a website. I wanted to study counselling. Oh, and yes I wanted to hold my own workshops in the area of personal development. Not to forget, explore akashic records reading and try astral projection.
I didn’t have one passion – I had many!
How I was going to combine this with writing and do it all I had no clue.
Then it Dawned. . .
I continued to dabble in a lot of different things, create and build new stuff, mostly online without a deep, laser focus on any one thing.
Now it didn’t mean I was not excellent at these skills. I was, and I could become a master if I went deeper. But I didn’t want mastery – what I wanted were new projects that would satiate my curiosity.
If you looked at my resume today, and if you’re the conservative types, you will see an unfocused mess.
If you’re open-minded and curious, you’ll see someone who has many interests. Someone who loves to do it all – at once; who gets bored of monotonous tasks easily and has “variety” and “learning” as one of their top needs.
In other words, a multipotentialite.
Who is a Multipotentialite?
A multipotentialite has many names such as scanner, slasher, multipod, renaissance person, polymath among others.
According to Wikipedia, he or she is a person who is full of artistic curiosity who can excel in two or more fields. Their interests span multiple areas and they often don’t want to “settle” in one field for good.
When I discovered this term, I felt such a relief. In reality, I still feel restless but that restless is not from “not having to become an expert at one thing” but more of “how can I do this, this, and that all at once?”
I realise I need to work better on my productivity levels in order to bring and smoosh it all together. But that is what keeps me going.
Being a multipotentialite gives you so much more. Life becomes a canvas and you can paint in oil, water, charcoal and more. And you don’t limit yourself to a canvas – you can paint on walls, wood, glass, leaf to create + build.
Your many interests as a multipotentialite seem to be unrelated to each other. For example, I did my bachelor’s in IT, and masters in marketing. I took classical dancing lessons for 5 years. I took drawing and painting lessons as a kid and continued to draw for leisure.
I worked at my IT job for 5 years and in marketing for a few months. I quit when I was almost due for a promotion. Then I dived into coaching and NLP and started seeing clients on-on-one. I’ve just launched PYG and a lot of my time goes into it too.
At the same time, I’ve been working with a marketing agency in my city as their PR and communications specialist. And oh, I am also studying for Cert IV in Training and Assessment – go figure!
Does that sound like too much with no one focus? Or does it look like a life full of possibilities? There is no right or wrong — it’s just different perspectives. If you’re wired as a multipod, you’ll get it.
How to Identify a Multipotentialite
Let’s look at some of the characteristics of a multipod. I speak from experience here, but of course there will be more that I have missed. Feel free to chime in the comments to add your own.
- Multipotentialites love to learn. And I don’t mean just learn a new thing. They want to dig into it. They will spend hours and hours to understand a concept. They will turn it upside down, play with it, apply it – and then stop. For me, it all comes down to how much curiosity I still have left for a particular area. If it’s there, I will continue to contribute.
- We get bored easily. So if you have a multipod employee, make sure you give them a variety of tasks no matter how challenging. If you’re a multipod yourself, find different passions and come up with a way to smoosh it all together into an interesting “mess”.
- We love challenge. Here’s the thing: If I didn’t find writing/coaching/speaking/starting an online biz challenging enough, I wouldn’t go there. Same applies to the flip side. When something stops to be a challenge for me, I stop spending a lot of time on it and let it run on its own. I don’t abandon projects: I’d find a way to keep coming back and poking things to see where it leads to. Or I’ll find a new home or owner for it. Eventually if I don’t’ find it fulfilling, I’ll quit and be long gone on a new journey of discovery.
- We have a number of skills. If you asked me, I’d say my skills are writing, editing, creating websites, online community management, SEO, speaking, listening, blogging and so on. Most of us have a plethora of skills in different areas.
- We’re good at a mash-up of ideas + skills. Bringing out our knowledge in one area and applying it in another is natural for us.
- We are hard to replace: If you’re working at an organisation, know that you are an asset to them. For example, I work with a marketing agency as their communications specialist. But when they realised I was good at technology, they started giving me in-house techie troubleshooting type of tasks. Soon, they discovered I was good with operations – boom. I was asked to do the ops manuals for various technology and processes they use in-house! If I leave, I know I’ll be hard to replace.
Are You a Multipod Too?
If you’re a multipod, I applaud your courage to accept it and embrace it. If you are waiting for the society to catch up and acknowledge your skills, well, you will be disappointed at least for the next 5 years.
Why? Because not many people are familiar with this breed of humans.
Are you willing to wait that much? Don’t stifle your inner voice that is telling you otherwise!
Multipotentiality is an asset. It gives you the uniqueness to be able to combine different skills (because you have them) and solve problems fast. It makes you a fast learner. You are enthusiastic like no other. You rock at many tasks.
You can use your multipotentiality and bring it all together by creating a new business and lifestyle that allows you the freedom and creativity to thrive. For example, I take freelance writing assignments and write for this website, see private coaching clients and speak at public workshops very often. I do this all for a living.
How You Can Start Now
Make a list of all goals you have and divide them into sub-goals. Pick the ones you’re ready to work on right now, and allocate a time during the day to each of them.
You’ll get bored fairly quickly if you do just one thing for a long stretch of time, so make sure to mix and match.
I like to divide my day into different slots and tackle a variety of projects. You can do that too. But remember, the “getting lost and overwhelmed” gremlins are always around the corner in the life of a multipotentialite, so make sure you know how to handle those.
In future posts, I will talk about being a multipotentialite, the positives and negatives of this lifestyle, how to remain productive in the face of multi-projects and more.
Until then, tell us if you are a multipotentialite too. What are you current interests and how are you smooshing them all together? Share with us in the comments below!
Image by Nagarjun.
at 2:03 pm
So glad I found your post (through Henri’s site). I had never heard the term, multipotentialite, before, but I think it’s perfect! Thank you for your insight and personal experience. It’s so helpful to see how others use and balance their diverse skills and talents. I’m a Human Resources professional and consultant who has multiple interests and loves to keep on learning. This includes working with animals and developing my passions into a lifestyle business. The photo you used is perfect!
at 7:48 pm
Hey Marge,
Thanks for your kind words. The hardest task for a multipotentialite is to bring all (or many) of their interests together. At this time, I have multiple businesses and sometimes it truly gets crazy. But the craziness also keeps me going. 😉
And I agree with you — we want to keep learning!
Let me know how you go with your multipod instincts!
Pooja
at 2:43 pm
Yep…that’s me! I am ALWAYS bored. Maybe not always but a lot of the time. You seem to have it down with finishing things…I just like starting things.
Interesting reading indeed!
at 7:42 pm
Glad you could relate Haydn! I love starting things too. I am most enthused when I am starting. Finishing depends on how much I still care about the baby (harsh but honest). And that comes from how much it satiates my creativity and curiosity levels.
In the long run, I feel having an overarching theme which sort of blends in all your skills and interests (or at least most) works amazingly. Take that boredom!
Let me know how you go!
Pooja
at 9:30 am
Thank you so much for your post – like Marge I found it via Henri’s site. I’d never heard about a multipod before but suddenly everything makes sense. No longer am I a “jack of all trades, master of none” but versatile and flexible!
at 6:54 pm
Elaine,
It’s wonderful when you finally realize that, isn’t it? That said, I’d love to know about your unique mix of multipod skills. Feel free to boast here. 😉
Pooja
at 9:32 pm
This is really interesting! I can totally relate. I am always curious about a lot of things. I’m a design engineer by profession but I’m currently exploring and learning other things in music, personal development, entrepreneurship and online marketing. Hopefully I can also make the shift that you did with your career. I am looking forward for your next post. 🙂
at 2:11 am
Hey Regie,
Thanks — I am glad you could relate! Wow, those additional “sides” sound so cool. What sort of shift are you aiming at next? 🙂
Pooja
at 1:48 pm
Well thank goodness for that……now I know I am not a ‘Messer who can’t put her mind to one thing’ I DON’T WANT TO and I don’t have to because I am a multipotentialite. So there…Ya boo sucks to all you one dimensional people : ))))
Thanks Pooja – nice to know there are more like me xx
at 3:34 pm
Hi Pooja,
I’m so glad i read your article on the change blog today, which then lead me to your site! I’ve always been so torn as what to do in life, as I feel like I could do anything if I set my mind to it enough!
I went to college to dance, then graduated to start a band, I now work in nutrition and still have a band, I work on artwork infrequently but I enjoy it, and I love fitness. I also write as part of my job, and design images and manage social media for the company I work for. I would also love to go and study science in some form and want to work with animals, and crave to learn another language, but there are not enough days in the week haha!
I love that you have so many projects and I really admire you for that. I feel I manage to fit a lot in but would love to do more… furniture restoration is going to be my next project… yikes!
Thank you again for your post, and making me realise it’s not a bad thing to want to do everything! 🙂
at 11:03 pm
Hey Donna,
Absolutely — having many projects on your plate is not a bad thing at all! It gives you mental stimulation and you can mash up your different interests to create something unique!
Thank you for putting it like it is 🙂
Pooja x
at 7:58 am
Your post has shed the light on my doubt about being Jack of all skills. I’m currently pursuing bachelor of accounting, but I found myself drawn to performing arts like dancing and singing. At the same time, I wish to enhance my skills on DIY, photography and photoshop. My weekend leisure would be baking, writing and reading. The list is incessant. However, I have no idea on how to combine everything into a career that bring out the best of me. Looking forward to your next post.
at 11:07 pm
Hi Foong Yan,
I know…you can put it as being the jack of all…But know what? I’ve learned that it’s more sensible to focus on the possibilities than limitations, and I feel people who give it an angle of “jack of all…” sound like they are really focusing on the limitations. 😉
I’d love to help you out with your interests. Can you answer one simple question: What is the next, best, immediate step you need to take forward?
Just one step.
Pooja x
at 1:48 am
mmm….Probably to just enjoy things I like?
at 11:34 pm
Definitely! Life is supposed to be good…So if it doesn’t feel good, why do it? Because eventually you will quit it anyway 😉
Pooja
at 10:23 am
hi Pooja just read your article on the change blog thanks for sharing your story..just what I needed to read right now..have some BIG decisions to make and need to trust my instincts….good luck..Sharon
at 11:05 pm
Hey Sharon,
Thank you for reading, and I am glad you could relate with my story. If you need to discuss anything, please don’t hesitate to reach me via the contact page. I’ll always reply. 🙂
Pooja x
at 4:45 am
Brilliant and timely for me personally. I too was an IT professional for 6.5 years. I love being a software developer. But the work environment and kind of tasks I was getting were not interesting. I do not know what I wanted to become. I quit my job 2 months back and am still searching for my passion. This post is encouraging and tips on managing time very helpful. Thanks.
at 8:07 pm
Glad this helped you. Good luck with your endeavours! 🙂
Pooja
at 1:20 am
Oh Hello!!!
I’m so grateful I’ve come across this site and I feel more excited each day now.
I got the Word for the Day “Multipotentialite”. And this so am I.
Thank you so much for the blog. I could completely relate myself and can clear out my confusions.
Im a kind a person who loves a lot of things and end up confused which way to go. I do love challenges and I’m easily get bored. Because I always want something new everyday. And above all I’m at times bombarded with tons of thoughts in mind that would sometimes end up nothing to write.
I’m currently working in a Company where most of the time I have nothing to do. I get bored and time wasted when in fact there are tons of thing I can do. But I also need to make a living.
I want Adventure and I love to write. In fact, I do have tons of Journals at home. I love Arts and Music. I love to Sing and Dance. I’m interested with Photography, Modeling and any kind of Sports. Be good at Hosting and public Speaking or even an Adviser for personal growth. I have the love of all these things and deep inside I’ve felt I can do it. And my experiences can prove it. Unfortunately, I don’t have Time and Financial Freedom to make it all.
But, I super appreciate your sight.
At least I’m enlightened with something
at 8:12 pm
Good to meet you Liezel. Always love meeting other multipods 😉
Trust you gained value from this. Thanks for dropping by and I hope you’ll find a way to pursue your passions soon.
Pooja
at 2:24 pm
Dear Pooja,
I cant tell you how absolutely liberating this feels after reading your blog.
Im an an architect by degree,i dabble with photography,i doawee bit of costume designing for films,i blog on and off,i love to create things(lamps,house decor etc)and i hope to start an ngo someday.
I always am so blank though when someone asks me what i do.I mostly end up saying i freelance.Most of my friends dont even know half of my interests!
I just wanted to say thank you.Will keep comin back here!
Much love,
Anu
at 6:10 am
I am sorry dear I did not know that you are married but I know this.. soooo Now I want a girl who may have your qualities
once again I love your articles sooo much <3
at 1:43 am
Thanks a lot for the term “multipotentialite”. I was really trying hard to converge all my attention to a certain one thing even when my mind was interested in a variety of others. I found it hard and even was frustrated when I would lose focus on a project half way round because I naturally was bored of doing the same stuff for a while. But now I understand that its my uniqueness and I should exploit it in a better way.
Thanks for the enlightening post…
at 11:05 pm
Thank you for your blog. And Yes I can really describe myself as a Multipotentialite. All the Characteristics you mentioned are present in me. I really easily get bored in doing the same thing all over again. Because I really love Adventure and new Challenges everyday. And Fortunately I am good at things I love to do like Writing, Dancing, Hosting and more. And there tons of things that I also like to venture like Painting, Music, Photography, Cooking and many more in mind. I’m still not good at some of it but I’m slowly working it out. And above all I really love to Travel the Whole World and meet new people. My problem as of the present moment, I don’t how to work with it in order for me to meet my full potential and be a gift to the world. Love, Liezel 🙂
at 7:31 pm
Though i cant say i have put my skills to practical use thanks to this I know where to start, many times I have wondered why I kept jumping from this to that got bored once I figured the basics, though i don’t have any qualifications or degree i used to do mechanical drawing on autocad for my mom then i did some bit of programming and jumped to Web designing and graphics and i was quite good at them all but got bored and not to mention things i learned from net a bit of psychology and bunch of other random things.i just love getting to know how and why things work and solving the problems just that I often find myself in the middle of nowhere.
at 7:48 am
I felt awesome reading this article and this shows that it is not always necessary to be perfectionist! Just be the way u are and live the life u want.
at 9:52 am
post is just awsome. I realize who I am what I want to be. well due to post after five year I have a great lifestyle.
at 11:51 am
LIGHT BULB!!!!
Thank you sooooo much for this post it blew me away and it nails me completely so right now I am trying to figure of where am I going to next. I left my permanent teaching job of 11yrs and I so want a business because I know I can run one.. or two or three it is just that I have heard so much about finding your passion and following it I don’t have one… I used to think I will always be lost but thank you!!!!
I hope you respond!!!
at 10:36 pm
You’re welcome Jeannette 🙂
There’s nothing wrong with having multiple passions — in fact, it’s the best thing you can do if you love variety and freedom — it’s just a matter of how you marinate everything together so it works for you.
Pooja
at 5:00 am
Finally I found who explained my feature so clear. Moreover I’m not alone! Thank you.
at 7:47 pm
Hey Pooja
I am not sure whether I am a multipotentialite, although certain traits seem to apply.
I am not skilled at anything, although my passion for words grows stronger every day. BUT I do get bored easily and display (an often morbid level of) curiosity about the most mundane aspects in and of life! LOL
Guess I am just lazy….but this article is brilliant and has clearly resonated with a lot of people! #HUGS
Thanks for always being honest, heartfelt and VERY interesting
Kitto
at 7:48 pm
PS: It’s good to meet someone else who has dabbled with Bharatnatyam. 😀
at 2:19 pm
Pooja,
well it seem you and I are not alone! as many have said – that is me! I suffered at school for being “mecurial” as i soon was bored and wanted new challenges. I sadly chose the wrong career path – accounting, but was lucky to have a few project roles which kept the interest alive. Now, I am trying a portfolio career, but would love to write. I draw/paint “do” music and all sorts to things so fit the profile you described well.
THE Challenge is to see this as a positive not a negative. In early societies the great thinkers were those with multiple interests. Modern western thinking has tried to narrow us to be specialists and clones. Look back at Michael Angelo. Some great engineers (Brunel etc) were multitalented.
Keep it going!