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Embracing Multipotentiality
Jul 7, 2024
Embracing Multipotentiality
Introduction
Question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
Typically asked around age 5
Causes anxiety for many
Personal anecdote of having too many interests
High school: English, Math, Arts, building websites, playing guitar
Pattern of deep interest followed by boredom
The Anxiety of Career Choices
Concern: Turning multiple interests into a career
Fear of having to choose one thing and getting bored
Self-doubt about inability to stick with anything
Concerns about commitment and self-sabotage
Cultural Norms and Expectations
Learned to see multipotentiality as wrong or abnormal
Society pressures specializing in one field
Cute childhood responses vs. serious adult expectations
Narrowly focused life is romanticized
Idea of destiny and one true calling
Multipotentiality Defined
Multipotentialite: Someone with many interests and creative pursuits
Also known as polymaths, Renaissance people, or scanners
No single agreed-upon identity for multipotentialites
Strengths of Multipotentialites
Idea Synthesis:
Combining fields to create something new
Example: Sha Hwang & Rachel Binx - Meshu (geographically inspired jewelry)
Rapid Learning:
Quick absorption of new information, less fear of new beginnings
Example: Nora Dunn - from concert pianist to fast typist and compelling pitch writer
Adaptability:
Ability to take on various roles
Example: Abe Cajudo - various roles including video director and web designer
Importance of Multipotentialites
Multipotentialites bring creative, out-of-the-box thinking
Adaptability
: Most important skill for the 21st century (Fast Company Magazine)
Need complex, multidimensional problem-solvers
Specialist vs. Multipotentialite
Specialists and multipotentialites can form effective teams
Specialists: Deep dive and implement ideas
Multipotentialites: Bring breadth of knowledge
Conclusion
Embrace your inner wiring, whether specialist or multipotentialite
Multipotentialites: Follow your curiosity, explore intersections
Embracing inner wiring leads to authenticity and happiness
The world needs multipotentialites
📄
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