Multipotentialite

Multi ● potential ● ite

Definition: A psychological term referring to the ability and preference of a person, particularly one of strong intellectual or artistic curiosity, to excel in two or more different fields
Also known as: Polymath, Renaissance person, Scanner
Source: Wikipedia

Here’s the story why I identify myself as a Multipotentialite

 

I bought this domain name and hosting plan a long time ago. It took me more than a year to actually start working on my website. There are some personal reasons as to why it took me awhile to turn my focus on this project but that’s another topic for some other time.

 

So true to my slightly overthinking and over analyzing personality, I did my fair share of research before I can even bring myself to log in and start working on my website. I tediously researched every topic imaginable from best hosting platform to how to grow my blog to how to make money from my website. After sitting through too many webinars to count and sifting through an insane amount of blog posts, it dawned on me that I needed to pick a niche to market myself before I can begin with anything. That is apparently one of the only ways anyone can hope to become successful. I was stumped.

 

Here was my problem; I have always found myself easily distracted by new shiny adventures, hobbies, projects, and interests. More often than not, I would find something I am interested in and completely immerse myself in it. I have always loved new challenges and didn’t like to feel like I am losing to anyone in it, so I’d work hard until I feel like I was above average. As I grew older, it went from harmless (albeit expensive) passions to something that makes me feel very much at a loss for a sense of self.

 

For the life of me, I could never figure out what I considered was “wrong with me”

 

It had been especially hard growing up with authentic Asian parent (in a Western country). We were taught we needed to set and know our goals at a very young age then spend the rest of our lives achieving it. Once I’ve reached the goal, the bar would rise or a new goal emerges. Because of all this, I couldn’t answer the question of “what is your niche”? How am I supposed to narrow down my niche and “target” when I don’t know who I am yet?

 

My range of shiny new hobbies I immerse myself in

 

One day, I found the solution while browsing my Facebook newsfeed. A friend of mine made a life-changing revelation and it hit the nail on the head. She made a reference to a TED talk in her post, “Why some of us don’t have one true calling by Emilie Wapnick”.  I know I have listened to this talk before but it never clicked until now. Hallelujah, I have figured it out! I am a Multipotentialite, a term coined by Emilie Wapnick. This isn’t the first or only times this or similar terms have come up through history.

 

 

From that point on, I started exploring what this means. There are various folks writing about this topic on the internet. Some of them are of contradicting opinions but I stumbled upon an article that really resonated with me. The author wrote..

 

“If you were to draw out your ideal career path, would it look more like a tree than a straight line? Do you like to avoid being painted with just one brush? Then you, my friend, just maybe a Multipotentialite.”

 

I tried to do just that. I tried and the result was a very complicated tree with many branches.

 

My personal interpretation of a Multipotentialite is someone with diverse interests.

 

No “one true calling” the way specialist does. They have many paths and pursues them all either in sequence or simultaneously. They thrive on exploring and learning new skills. Multipotentialites are curious and when it comes to new interests that emerge, their insatiable curiosity leads them to absorb everything they can get their hands on. As a result, it makes them innovators and problem solvers. It allows them to pick up new skills fast and tend to be a wealth of information. In the current generation, there are unlimited choices and opportunities for us to choose from. We can’t necessarily be classified as one niche, therefore, I am making a choice to go against every advice I’ve read throughout my research. I am going to be who I am without limitation and without limiting myself to one niche.

 

My mission is to be true to myself, we are all out there continuously trying to learn more about ourselves and the world we live in. I want to be a part of that journey for people across different pursuits.  This blog is an outlet for all my interests, passions and overall life lesson.

● I speak five languages (from fluent to basic)

● Extensive range of hobbies:

• Figure skating, swimming, tennis, dance
• Flute, Piano, singing
• Drawing (bought an easel), sewing (bought a sewing machine and serger), knitting,
• Home garden, arts & crafts
• Cooking
• Different fields for work in various industries:
• Retail (High fashion, sports fashion/equipment)
• Marketing (Fashion, IT)
• Product and project management
• Translation
• Teaching English
• Events planning

● Currently, I am a Marketing freelancer and Administrative Virtual Assistant

 

What will this website include?
● Traveling and living aboard as an expat

● Different lessons I’ve learned through my experiences

● Cooking and eating my way across the world

● Planting a home garden and crafts

● My view on politics, religion and different cultures

 

You might be a Multipotentialite if you:
● Dive into a topic but eventually grow bored and move on

● Have contradicting interests like business and art

● Change jobs every few years because you are bored of the field

● Been referred to as being a bit lost with no proper direction

 

Advantages to being a Multipotentialite:
● Rapid learning

● Coming up with and combining ideas/solutions

● Adaptability and moving between thoughts

● Fit well into leadership positions

 

Disadvantages:
● Getting bored regularly. Sometimes losing out on the benefits of long-term commitments

● Distracted easily

● Burn out quickly

● Not an expert in any particular field but mediocre in many