Rocking Several Hats: The Beauty of Being Multi-passionate

Erykah Badu: Musician, singer, songwriter, producer, actress, DJ and certified doula 

Do you have SO many interests that you can’t choose just one? Are you always working at several different jobs, businesses, or hobbies? Do you hate when other people tell you to focus and settle down on one thing? For many of us, learning and being stimulated through various interests is a way of life but we soon learn that having multiple interests, or being multi-passionate, isn’t always rewarded. This personality type is often labeled as flaky with zero follow through but today, I’d like to shine light on the BEAUTY of being multi-passionate. Those who embrace life as a place of constant learning and exploration are most likely the people who lead lives we admire.

Having multiple interests—and actually being able to choose one or more to pursue—is a luxury. Many generations before us  didn’t have a choice. Some people, especially in underdeveloped parts of the world, still don’t have a choice. Take full advantage of your talents and show some gratitude. Being multi-passionate isn’t a burden; it’s an opportunity. Following are my top three benefits of being the multi-talented personality type:

1. Although specialists have traditionally been valued, the definition of a valued employee is rapidly changing. With economic shakedowns and a new corporate landscape, today’s MVE (Most Valuable Employee) can do more by calling upon all sides of themselves. If you’re running a start up or working for one, budgets may be limited, so there will be times that you’ll find yourself playing several roles to ensure success. If maximized and nurtured to their fullest potential, hidden talents can result in profitable partnerships and synergies.

2. Multi-passionates are natural creative thinkers. We are learners, not memorizers.

3. Being multi-passionate means creating a lifestyle that is truly made just for YOU. It includes all of your strengths and interests. Though it can be hard to explain at a dinner party, it can definitely be your dream career.

Please note: Being multi-passionate can be a challenging juggle at times. If you’re trying to do EVERYTHING at once, you may find yourself feeling a bit burnt out. I suggest exploring 2-3 things at any one time. In order to make true progress, avoid burnout, and hone your skills, it’s important to recognize our limitations as a single person or small team.

We can do EVERYTHING we want throughout our lives but we cannot do it all at once. Look at this season in your life and decide to intentionally focus on a few of your talents at a time.

Do you consider yourself to be a multi-passionate person? What are some of the pros and cons you’ve experienced? Would love to hear from you!