On Being a Multipotentialite

I share a bit of my life and career journey over the last twenty years and we offer a free resource to help you find your ikigai!

Today’s episode dives deep into the concept of being a multipotentialite, I share a bit of my life and career journey over the last twenty years and we offer a free resource to help you find your ikigai!

Have you ever tried to write your major definite purpose and every single iteration felt slightly foreign?

Maybe your resume shows polarities in sectors and job titles and you struggle to answer the age-old question “What do you do?”.

It may be possible that you’ve studied a degree and never immersed yourself in that path as your ‘career’.

If you showed a slight raised hand to any of these examples, I invite you to consider this: Maybe you’re a multipotentialite!

A multipotentialite, or a multipod/scanner/polymath for short, is someone with many interests and creative pursuits.

In her 2015 TED Talk, Why Some of Us Don't Have One True Calling[1], and on her blog[2] Emilie Wapnick shares the challenges and superpowers of a multipod.

“Multipotentialites often struggle with:

Finding work that provides both enough variety and stability

Productivity and focus issues, like balancing the need to explore with the need to make progress on multiple projects

Challenges with mental health and confidence, such as imposter syndrome, answering the question So, what do you do? and dealing with family and friends who don’t understand.”

Conversely, these challenges may exist because of a misunderstanding of what makes a multipod tick, and their inherent gifts and talents…

Wapnick goes on to explain, “When multipotentialites are supported and encouraged to embrace their diverse skills and experiences, they’re able to tap into their super powers:

Idea synthesis
Rapid learning
Adaptability
Big picture thinking
Relating to and translating between different types of people, “languages,” and modes of thought”

Many people spend days, weeks, months, years, and even decades in careers that are opposed to who they are destined to be as spiritual beings.

You CAN find alignment in your career, spirituality, health, and relationships. It’s all about finding work you love or learning to love the work you do.

We're not asking you to leave your 9-to-5 job to pursue something else and have a fulfilling life – there are always ways to find joy in your career or work whether you’re working full-time or part-time, studying, or looking for a new path.

You can begin moving towards a more meaningful career by working through the process "Find Your Ikigai" and using these tips.

Make a list of your strengths and interests and how they could translate to an inspiring career. Get creative! Mind map or do whatever you can to activate the opposite side of your brain to your dominant one.

Research the career options you’ve narrowed down. Gather information about the paths you’re considering and how they could influence and shape your long-term goals.

Reach out to professionals working in your field – people who can give you information, support, and/or guidance.

Join professional organisations or attend social events to create authentic connections and make yourself visible in your field.

Contact prospective employers to learn about potential career opportunities. Be professional and enthusiastic and remember that even if a company isn’t hiring, it’s never a bad idea to ask if you can pass your resume along.

Be patient – finding a new career that you love may take time. You might try a few positions before finding an ideal fit.

Ask your employer or supervisor to work on projects that interest you or you’re passionate about– it’s often the same area you’ll produce the best results in!

Surround yourself with people to like-mind - peers and colleagues who support your work.

Accept constructive feedback and work toward improving your weak points.

Stay motivated by giving yourself small rewards for accomplishing goals - activate the dopamine response – short massages, long walks, a facial, new clothing – things that feel like a reward or might nourish your soul.

Make your office environment more attractive – add fresh flowers or a lovely candle to your desk, invest in a comfortable chair, hang motivating quotes and art or pictures on the walls, create a vision board.

If it’s time to transition to another position or company, make sure you continue doing work you love. Seek fresh opportunities that satisfy your desires and always maintain business relationships with previous employers.

And if you’d like a process to help you find your ikigai, we’ve included a resource from the BREATHE Wellness Program Career Module here.

DOWNLOAD THE BREATHE WELLNESS PROGRAM RESOURCE "FIND YOUR IKIGAI"

It’s our gift to you - a straight download, no need to input an email address or be added to a mailing list. We’re giving from our heart so you can explore that sweet spot in the middle of what you’re great at, what you love, what the world needs and what you can be paid for.

In return, if you feel so inclined we’d love it if you could share the podcast with your community, or leave us a review.

SOURCE:

[1] Wapnick, E. (2015). Why Some of Us Don't Have One True Calling. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/emilie_wapnick_why_some_of_us_don_t_have_one_true_calling?language=en

[2] Puttylike. (Unknown). Terminology. Retrieved from https://puttylike.com/terminology/

[3] Wapnick, E. (Unknown). Renaissance Business: Make Your Multipotentiality Your Day Job. Retrieved from https://puttylike.com/renaissance-business/

Categories: Personal Growth, Podcast, career