As a multi-passionate, I find it difficult to narrow down just exactly what I want to ‘do with my life’.
Perhaps this resonates with you:
I love many things.
I love helping people.
Many things help people.
I want to do all of the things.
A few tenets I’ve found to be successful for the multi-passionate include:
- Develop and invest in your passion(s). Do things that make you feel alive. The world needs the best version of you possible. The most passionate and fulfilling work will maximize your contribution and impact.
- Check in with your support system. Remember Quadrant #2 from Stephen Covey? The Important, but Not Urgent category? This is where your ‘free’ time is best spent.
- Embrace your strengths. No one can be you but you. You bring something so unique to your team and your work; be proud! Unsure of what your strengths are? There are many self-assessments available out there; or set up a time to chat here and we can hash this out.
- Know when to say ‘no’. A great book on this topic is called Essentialism and I’ve written about this concept in a prior blog. This has been an uphill battle for me, personally! New and exciting opportunities can be difficult to pass up. Developing a system of screening new opportunities as well as a self-awareness of work level is essential.
- Reflect, reflect, reflect. How could I refine my current interests to more closely align? Are there themes with the type of work I’m drawn to? Making time for reflection/journaling/thinking/meditating in your daily schedule can give you the space you need to think through the answers to these difficult questions.
- Connect with other multi-passionates. Share stories, lessons, achievements, struggles with others. Know that you’re not the only one who feels a multi-faceted approach to life is the most rewarding.
The world is your oyster…open it. 🙂
Jackie is a coach at the Happy PharmD. She loves her family, changing the world, and pharmacy. 🙂