I love trying new things. Seriously! Most recently it was ice climbing...
And before that kayaking and quilting and snowshoeing and clothes making. The list goes on and on! I have an insatiable desire to try things I've never done before. The problem is that with all my interests, I simply don't have time to see them all through. I try something, enjoy it for a bit, possibly go back to it on occasion, but then I'm off to try another something new.
This continuous floating from one thing to the next left me frustrated. Frustrated because I was a "jack of all trades and master of none." Honestly, I was less frustrated for myself and more concerned with how others would view me. A personal weakness, I know, but I feared what people would think of me when I couldn't stick with anything. Did I have problems making commitments? Did I waste time and money trying new things only to abandon them shortly thereafter?
This was of particular concern in the professional world. How do I stay engaged in a long-term career when I'd rather be flitting from one new experience to the next? Not because I have an issue with reliability but simply because so many things fascinate me!
When I came across this Ted Talk by Emilie Wapnick, I was floored! I, like so many other people across the globe, am what Emilie has coined a multipotentialite. And this is actually a good thing to be! Our quest for knowledge means that we adapt easily and greatly contribute to group projects as we are able to bring experiences from multiple disciplines into the discussion. While we may not think of ourselves as such, we are innovators.
If you've ever felt like a wanderer or that you simply don't have enough time for all your interests, check out this talk "Why some of us don't have one true calling." Trust me, this will rock your world.
After watching Emilie's talk more than once, I was excited to explore her website. At the time, I was in the midst of a work transition and was hoping for guidance from this guru multipotentialite. What I walked away from most - apart from the fact that Emilie is amazing - is that there are a few things one should consider when deciding on a career choice that will fulfill them.
1. What are my passions?
2. What am I good at?
3. What, to me, does success look like?
4. What are my motivations?
These questions certainly started an exciting chain reaction in my brain on how I could embrace my need for learning and my desire for continuous growth in a career that is satisfying and allows me to contribute in a way that I feel reflects success.
