Embracing my multipotentiality
For the majority of my 38 years, I grappled with the pressure to focus solely on one pursuit. Society dictates that individuals should specialize in a single field. “You can’t be a piano player and a mathematician,” they’d say. Career advisors reinforced this notion during countless consultations, urging me to pick a specialization. Even in early childhood, I faced the daunting question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” As if a four-year-old could possibly have the answer!
A career consultation with a long-known former colleague of mine, an ICF-Certified Coach, became a revelation. After I vented about my career dilemmas, Svetlana1 presumed that I could be a scanner, a term coined by Barbara Sher in her book “Refuse to choose!” (year). It opened my eyes on my identity and the realization of being a scanner brought an immense relief. I finally understood that there was nothing inherently wrong with me. I wasn’t a scattered individual unable to focus; I was simply someone curious about a multitude of subjects. For years, I had believed that my broad interests were a flaw, but now I saw them as a unique advantage. Futrher investigation led me to realize that there are many scanners worldwide and they all face the same problems as me: struggling at finding their identity in a world where a human being is supposed to determine their career at four years old.
Barbara Sher’s insights crystallized my identity—I am a multipotentialite, a polymath. I once referred to myself as a digital alchemist, but now I recognize that my interests extend far beyond the digital realm. I am a person of versatile passions, always eager to explore new avenues.
Explaining my affinity for diverse pursuits can be challenging. The age-old adage, “A jack of all trades is master of none,” suggests that someone with a wide range of skills may not excel in any particular area. However, I believe that in today’s world, specialization is not the only path to success. And what is success? To me it’s not about being the best and having the highest salary, it’s more about becoming a better version of myself.
A glance at my varied interests over the years reveals the breadth of my curiosity: programming, piano, English language, mathematics, graphic design, painting, business management, entrepreneurship, philosophy, manufacturing, photography, theatre production, digital privacy, web development, tailoring, finances, economics, engineering, typography, calligraphy, community building, sociology, psychogeography, fine art, alternative photography processes, generative art, accessible web technologies, and digital sustainability.
Instead of choosing a specific interest, I allow myself to go through all of them.
At some point I start feeling bored. And this boredom is almost existential. I feel stuck and depressed when I don’t understand the purpose of repeated action. So I continue doing something if only I can’t predict what will happen next. Investigation and research allow me to build a clear prediction of where things will go further. And I hate predictability.
I possess a keen ability to anticipate societal shifts and combine diverse knowledge to solve complex problems.
I refuse to be pigeonholed as just a graphic designer or photographer. I am a person with a broad range of interests, a communicator who seeks innovative solutions. The pressure to label myself is daunting, which is why I embrace the term “multipotentialite.” Yes, I may not be the best in any one field, but I strive to be the best version of myself—a perpetual learner, constantly evolving.
My ability to quickly acquire new skills is a testament to my adaptability. Whether delving into alternative photography or mastering mathematics through programming, I approach each challenge with enthusiasm and determination.
I am perpetually curious, constantly questioning the world around me. “What is this? How does it work? Can it be improved?” These inquiries drive my exploration and fuel my passion for learning.
This is who I am, and I embrace it wholeheartedly. I refuse to narrow my focus; I choose to celebrate my identity as a multipotentialite. Simply because I have no other way to do things. This is how I am and I won’t be fighting myself, but be an ally to my disturbing brain.
I highly recommend Svetlana Sereda and can’t say how much she helped me. ↩︎