Does your CV look more like a patchwork quilt than a straight and narrow career path? Do you have more hobbies than hours in the day? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
No ‘one true calling’
Multipotentialites is the term Emilie Wapnick, author of How to Be Everything, uses for people who have many interests and creative pursuits, who thrive on learning, exploring, and mastering new skills. In her view, society places too much emphasis on dedication to your ‘one true calling’ and excellence in your chosen field. Multipotentialites simply aren’t wired that way, she argues. And she wants them, and the world, to know that there’s nothing wrong with being a jack or jill of all trades.
Skills for the modern world
In fact, Wapnick goes on, multipotentialites have many strengths that suit modern times. Such as the ability to combine ideas from different fields to create something. And that’s exactly how innovation happens, she pointed out during her TED talk in 2015. Wapnick believes that multipotentialites excel at skills such as rapid learning and adaptability, but that unlike the expertise of specialists, their skills are often underrated, despite becoming increasingly important in the rapidly changing world.
Embrace your interests
So, what to do if you are a multipotentialite? Well, Wapnick encourages you to fully embrace it and express it in any shape or form you feel comfortable with. And for expat partners, moving abroad often poses a perfect opportunity to do so – away from the usual social pressures and possibly with more time on their hands. Global Connection consultant Catarina Queiroz says: “Some expat partners tell me during the Needs Assessment that they want to do something entirely new and different, and that’s ok. Not everyone is cut out for specialisation. Besides, highly creative people often get bored if they follow a linear career path.”
Success stories
Over the years, Global Connection has helped many expat partners take a leap of faith and embark on an entirely new – successful – career. Take the GP who became a Pilates instructor or the director of a chain of accessory stores who is now an energy therapist and coach. Catarina Queiroz: “Sometimes expat partners worry their desire to make a big career shift might be misguided. But these examples prove that it makes perfect sense to explore your hidden potential and multiple interests, which aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive.”
