When someone asks you what you do for a living, is it difficult to explain? Maybe you pause to collect your thoughts, then when you bring up several projects you are working on people get a bit lost.
The confused look on someone's face when you say what you studied in college versus the turns that your career is actively taking can make someone feel lost or undervalued.
The people who struggle to dedicate themselves to one thing, aren't struggling to find themselves, they are struggling to allow themselves to thrive in multiple areas.
They are multipotentiality, a phrase that became immensely popular after Emilie Wapnick's Ted Talk Why Don't Some Of Us Have One True Calling?
In her talk, she discusses the societal reason's that multipotentialites struggle with to feel like they can excel, mostly because successful people are often thought of to be experts in their fields, instead of experts of many things.
There are some barriers that multipotentialites face to feel successful as they are driven to excel in multiple areas. It is argued that their drive, interest, passions and talents should be celebrated new infrastructure set up to help them succeed.
What Does Multipotentialite Mean
Multipotentialites are defined as people who have more than one passion, interest or creative outlet. Their goal in life is not to have one true calling, but to excel in several areas.
Many famous people throughout history fall into the category. Maya Angelou was a writer, activist, the first Hollywood Black female director, singer, dancer, and more! Nowadays many Millennial women are multipotentialites From Issa Rae dominating all aspects of the entertainment Entertainment Industry to Malala with activism, humanitarianism, writing and politics.
Millennials are known as the job-hopping generation, which has been largely attributed to the innovative jobs available today that didn't exist 10 years ago, such as the whirlwind of widely accessible jobs in tech. Another reason that many Millennials are resonating with is the concept of a generation of multipotentialites.
From enjoying coding to dedicating oneself to mastering an instrument, there is a lot to be enjoyed in life and young people are particularly embracing it. Although the multipotentialite concept isn't new, as seen through folks throughout history.
If you feel lost in terms of life calling, reflect on your passions and consider if you are a multipotentialite.
Are You A Multipotentialite?
Multipotentialites are more common than people think. People who work in the entertainment industry often are, look at Zendaya, The Kardashians, Dua Lipa, Naomi Osaka and more. All of whom within their industry and double in entrepreneur endeavors and side gigs gone viral from podcasts to clothing lines and hosting online communities.
Here are some signs to consider if you are a multipotentialite:
- It is hard to describe your passions, you have several
- You feel lost in identifying one true calling
- In pursuing more than one interest you find it hard to see progress
- You excel in more than one area, passion, or have many skills, even if they are not at all related
- You enjoy transferring your skills and applying them to other realms.
- You love to learn, are very curious
- Often you go between several, different, projects
- Having a rapid mind, the brain doesn't turn off
- You have a fear of missing out on different paths at the cost of choosing one
If you have felt these things before, try reframing your thoughts around your many passions as a good thing, as a multipotentialite. Your path may look different from people who become experts within one field, but that doesn't make yours less valuable.
Advice From Multipotentialite's To Help Excel In Your Goals
In her talk, Wapnick discusses her journey to realizing she has many potentials, and that having many skills and paths is a good thing
Why can't someone be a teacher, digital artist, writer, and coder?
Wapnick found community, other people who like her had many interests from being scientists and musicians to financial advisors who moonlight as writers. She identifies three superpowers that multipotentialites have, adaptability, rapid learning, and innovation, all of which are highly desired skills in any modern workplace.
The job market is moving towards an era in which is a good thing to have many skills and apply them in creative ways to different fields. For this reason, there is a demand for people who have multiple interests, skills and potentials.
While there is always a need for experts and specialists, it has never been a better time for multipotentialites to shine than now.
Wapnick suggests that folks who have many passions follow them, and find a pace that feels comfortable. It can be overwhelming to do several things at once because you are dividing your time and energy. For this reason, stay focused and manage your time in a way that makes you feel successful.
