Is Something Wrong With Me? Or Am I A Multipotentialite?

I’ve spent my entire life searching for my purpose, the ONE thing I am meant to do with the time I’ve been given. Instead, I’ve been drawn to a wide variety of unrelated things. I dive into learning about one, and when I get to a certain point, something else grabs my attention and I’m ready to move on and learn about it. I often return to my earlier interests, but not always. I feel like I am a “Jill of all trades” and master of none.

I thought something was wrong with me. Why couldn’t I figure it out my one thing and then stick with it? Could I not make a decision? Was I lazy? Did I have ADD? I didn’t know anyone else like me, and I envied those who had always had a clear sense of who they were and what they were meant to do.

Then I saw this post on the Art of Nonconformity blog featuring Emilie Wapnick’s TED talk about multipotentialites. I was thrilled – and quite relieved – to discover that there is nothing wrong with me, and that I am not alone. Just knowing this has changed my view of myself, and helped me focus on how to create a life that is right for me. I want to embrace my natural tendency, change who I am, or force myself to work in ways that ignore my true self.

Does this sound like you? Check out the Terminology page at Puttylike.com to learn more.

I tend toward the simultaneous end of the multipotentialite spectrum, so I often work on several diverse things at once. Other multipotentialites shift in a more consecutive order, going from one things to another.

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Since I never stuck with anything long enough to become an “expert”, I couldn’t develop a career from any of them. Part of me always felt that if I could just make money at it, I would keep interested, but I’m not sure that is true. Now that I am dedicated to being self-employeed, I am trying to find ways to turn my multiple and varied interests into income producing sources, especially passive income, so I can go on to something else without losing what I’ve put into it.

My first area of focus is how I plan my time. How do I keep track of multiple areas that I want to work on? How do I organize all these pieces that are my life? How do I set goals and make plans beyond today? How do I keep track of all the pieces I need to get done for each area so I don’t forget them, and so I can see I am making progress? How do I not drive myself crazy? My next post will take a look at what I’ve used in the past, which parts work and which parts don’t.

Are you a multipotentialite? Do you have a planning system that works for you? I’d love for you to share in the comments so we can all benefit.