Being good at more than one thing is not a curse, but an opportunity to fuel your life and income.
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The word “multipotentialite” is immensely intriguing. If not for my wife, this word would not have have entered my vernacular as a quick reference for those who ask about what I do and which field I specialise in. It has helped me to come to terms with my life, and enabled a deeper insight into my psyche. And this is the reason I penned this article today—in the hope that this word would empower you as well.
According to Tamara Fisher, multipotentiality is an educational and psychological term that refers to an individual’s abilities, particularly those of intellectual or artistic qualities, to excel in two or more different fields. Therefore, a multipotentialite refers to someone who has a range of interests, passions, interlocking potentials and jobs over one lifetime.
A multipotentialite refers to someone who has a range of interests, passions, interlocking potentials and jobs over one lifetime.
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Actually, the concept of an individual with a wide range of potentialities is hardly new. Many publications and editorials discussed about the prevalence of this concept, albeit using different sets of terminology such as polymath, Renaissance Person, scanners, slashers, and multipods, among others. For example, a well-received book that discussed the concept, its practicality AND possible applications in real life is Refuse to Choose! by Barbara Sher. It is quite the lively read that reinforces the idea that the pursuit of numerous passions is perfectly normal and should be encouraged. Frankly, it’s an incredibly enthusiastic rallying call for all those who ever felt defeated and disheartened for their unwillingness to just stay in a specialisation.
As Emilie Wapnick, the person who popularised the word, explained,
“The only constant in my life is shape-shifting, exploration and evolution. I went from being a serious musician and songwriter to a web designer, filmmaker, writer, and law student (I graduated from the Faculty of Law at McGill University in 2010). After that, I became interested in entrepreneurship, launched a business, became a coach, and wrote a book.All of these pursuits were personal choices that I made out of genuine interest. Even law began as a fascination. My aim was not to become a lawyer, but to simply explore this new interest of mine.There’s something that draws me to each of my interests and it’s not “excellence.” I have no interest in committing to one thing forever. Once I no longer feel inspired in a field, I simply move on. Some people call this “quitting,” I call it growth.This is how I’ve always lived– moving from interest to interest, building on my skills in different areas, and synthesizing the knowledge I acquire along the way.
I want multipotentialites to stop beating themselves up about being unable to find their “one true calling” or fit into a box. I want them to see that their diverse background and insatiable curiosity isn’t some huge failing, but that there’s a very good reason for it …
Not only is your multipotentiality not a curse, but you can actually use it as fuel for your life and income. Once you stop fighting your scanner nature and embrace it, you’ll find yourself working on projects that are deeply meaningful. You’ll feel a sense of purpose that you never thought possible.”
Her words lend credence to the advice that I always dish out to my students in copious amounts, and inspired me to finally follow my own advice and pursue writing:
- Follow your inclinations and passions.
- Never try, and you will never know.
- Just do it. Why wait?
- You have only one life. Live it!
Therefore, you could be a closet multipotentialite if you have ever felt claustrophobic and shackled in your career thus far. Be brave! Take the plunge, and step out to pursue something that you thought you could only dream about. After all, opportunities are usually a lot more apparent when you view the world with a pair of explorer’s lenses!
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This post originally appeared on DanKoh.net.
Photo: Getty
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