The Myth of the “One True Calling”
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
This question, while well-intentioned, often feels like a trap for those of us with kaleidoscopic interests. As Emilie Wapnick highlights in her TED Talk, society romanticizes the idea of a singular destiny—a “one true calling” we’re meant to pursue relentlessly. But what if you’re someone who thrives at the intersection of multiple callings? Someone who wants to code and write poetry, design apps and teach yoga, or blend psychology with violin-making like Dr. Bob Childs?
You’re not indecisive. You’re not “lost.” You’re a multipotentialite—and the world needs your unique blend of skills now more than ever.
The Multipotentialite Advantage: Three Superpowers
Wapnick’s talk reveals three superpowers that set multipotentialites apart. These aren’t just quirks—they’re tools for solving today’s most complex challenges:
1. Idea Synthesis: Where Magic Happens
Multipotentialites excel at merging disparate fields to create groundbreaking innovations. Take Amy Ng, who wove her expertise in magazine editing, illustration, and entrepreneurship into a thriving career as a creative director and teacher. Or Sha Hwang and Rachel Binx, who fused cartography, data visualization, and design to launch Meshu, a company crafting custom jewellery inspired by travel maps.
Why it matters: The world’s toughest problems—climate change, AI ethics, mental health—are multidimensional. They demand thinkers who can connect dots across disciplines.
2. Rapid Learning: Embrace the Beginner’s Mindset
Multipotentialites are lifelong learners. Nora Dunn, a former concert pianist turned financial planner turned travel writer, leveraged her muscle memory from piano practice to become a lightning-fast typist. Her sales skills from finance? They now fuel persuasive pitches to editors.
Why it matters: In a fast-changing economy, adaptability is survival. Multipotentialites thrive because they’re unafraid to dive into new fields—and their diverse skill stacks make them resourceful problem-solvers.
3. Adaptability: Shape-Shifting for Success
Abe Cajudo embodies this superpower. One day he’s a video director, the next a web designer, and occasionally, he jokes, “James Bond.” His value lies in his ability to morph roles to meet clients’ needs—a skill *Fast Company* calls the most critical for 21st-century success.
Why it matters: Industries evolve overnight. Multipotentialites pivot seamlessly, turning uncertainty into opportunity.
The Cost of Forcing a Single Path
Society often pressures multipotentialites to “just pick something.” But narrowing your focus risks erasing your superpowers. Wapnick warns: “Innovation happens at the intersections.” When we silo ourselves, we lose the creative collisions that spark breakthroughs.
Consider this: Would we have platforms like Airbnb (born from design + tech + hospitality) or CRISPR gene editing (biology + engineering) without multipotentialite thinkers?
Designing a Life That Honors Your Wiring
Specialists are vital—imagine a world without heart surgeons or quantum physicists. But multipotentialites bring the glue that binds ideas together. The key is to build a life that aligns with your wiring, not societal expectations.
How to Start:
– Reframe “What do you want to be?” Ask instead: “What problems do you want to solve?” or “What skills excite you to learn next?”
– Seek Intersections: Blend your passions into hybrid roles. A coder who loves art could thrive in UX design; a teacher with a finance background might revolutionize financial literacy programs.
– Build a Portfolio Career: Like Amy Ng, curate a mosaic of roles that reflect your diverse interests.
Join the Multipotentialite Revolution
If you’ve ever felt “too much” or scattered, this is your invitation to reframe your narrative.
Your multipotentiality isn’t a flaw—it’s a superpower waiting to be unleashed.
Ready to explore your potential?
At GEA’s Multipotentialite Workshops(https://tracy.explico.co/workshop/), we help you to:
– Identify your unique skill combinations through hands-on projects.
– Connect with fellow multipotentialites to collaborate on interdisciplinary ideas.
– Build a portfolio career that celebrates—not silences—your many passions.
The World Needs You
As Wapnick says, “Embracing your inner wiring leads to a happier, more authentic life—and the world needs us.” Whether you’re a coder-poet, a scientist-artist, or a teacher-entrepreneur, your multidimensional mind holds solutions the world hasn’t yet imagined.
Don’t shrink to fit a single box. Expand. Explore. And join a community that celebrates all you are.
Key Message:
Multipotentialites aren’t “jack-of-all-trades”—they’re masters of innovation.
Embrace your diverse passions, and join a movement redefining success in the 21st century!