What do you want to be when you grow up? How many of us have been asked this question when we were little? Probably all of us, and lots of times.
This innocent question, so often asked by adults in the expectation of an answer (at least an amusing one) from the little ones, has been a source of some concern and even anxiety for some people as they grew older. The reason? QThat they did not have a single answer, and therefore, they did not have a true vocation. If this was your case, you may be a multipotential person and don’t know it.
The gift of being a multipotential person
Fortunately, things began to change in the same way that many situations begin to change: when new, more inclusive points of view appear that are capable of breaking down exclusionary myths.
And the advent of the term multipotential person or multipotentialite was a turning point for those who discovered this concept and brought them a new and interesting point of view. new and interesting point of viewbut above all for those who identified with it. Because far from being a problem, defect or obstacle, being a multipotential person is really a gift.
What does it mean?
Those of us who since childhood have heard expressions like “let’s see if you focus on just one thing”, “but what do you want to study?” or pearls like “you can’t be two things at the same time” were probably also called “bad ass”, indecisive, scattered… or directly labeled as immature, when in reality they had the capabilities of a multipotential person.
They are the type of people who have multiple, diverse interestsThey are the kind of people who have multiple, diverse interests, both related and completely unrelated, and who are eager to discover and explore them with great eagerness. Because if there is one thing multipotential people are passionate about, it is learning new things, and every opportunity they have is a challenge.
Probably since we were children we all have this particularity, but adults restrict our possibilities to a great extent from the moment that a path is marked as unique and valid, thus conditioning our way of thinking and making it go through only one way.
What is the origin of the term multipotentialite?
The first time we began to treat as a virtue what until then had been considered a defect (except for the times of greatest cultural splendor in history, when curiously enough it was already seen as a quality) was Frederickson in 1972, when he said that a multipotentialite person was one who, given the right environments, is capable of select and develop a range of competencies at a high level of training..
But thanks to Emilie Wapnick and her inspiring TED Talk of 2015 when she integrated with her concept of a multipotential person (multipotentialite) the term that encompassed a whole group of people with this type of positive and special characteristics.
In his own words “There is nothing strange about you (…) The reason you can’t find your true vocation is that you actually have many vocations. All your sporadic obsessions and your weird interdisciplinary projects fit together now.”
Characteristics of this type of person
If you’re wondering if you yourself are part of this talented group, here are some of the peculiarities that characterize a multipotential person.
Versatility
Thanks to their knowledge from a wide range of fields, they are able to be part of many different they have the possibility of being part of very varied fields, something that can bring them great variety in the leisure options for which they can choose as well as for the very different roles they can play at work.
Mental flexibility and adaptability
They have the great ability to change register without difficulty and thus be able to deal with different areas with ease, which allows them to be adaptable to changes (something very necessary nowadays due to the speed at which things evolve).
Innate curiosity
For every multipotential person being curious is a driving force that will connect him/her to a possible new passionAnd if you discover something that appeals to you, it will represent a challenge that will set you in motion.
Knowledge lovers
Exploring, discovering and knowing is a common sequence that is often repeated among multipotentials.
Ease of learning
Linked to their curiosity is a passion for learningThis often leads this type of person to develop a new facet of themselves; every learning experience is a challenge.
Skilled at connecting ideas
They have the quality (and the advantage) of being able to associate concepts able to associate apparently unrelated concepts..
Breadth of vision
By accepting their plurality as something that their own vision of the world, they tend to have the ability to look at facts from very different points of view.They tend to have the ability to look at facts from very diverse points of view.
The gift of the most complete entrepreneurs and professionals.
At this point you may have discovered that you are a multipotential person. In that case, you may wonder how this fact can affect your professional life: Well, very positively, because you can turn your passions into your way of life. How? By differentiating yourself from others with that unique profile that comes from the sum of your diverse interests.
Since we have been breaking down the characteristics of multipotentials, you should know that they can be a plus and add value to your work. can be a plus and provide a differential value at the labor level with respect to those who are not.
For example, the versatility of a multipotential person to assume different positions and functions will allow him or her to be seen as a versatile employee who can adapt to the changing situations of an adverse work environment. And with respect to entrepreneurs, that same ubiquity allows them to have the integrative vision needed to take on the role of CEO of a project.
On the other hand, a thirst for knowledge can be a guarantee of having constantly updated personnel, and in terms of that proactivity towards discovering new interests, it can be a guarantee of having constantly updated personnel. proactivity towards discovering new interests made available to entrepreneurs will allow you to expand into other areas.
As for the ability to connect ideas inherent to every multipotential person, both in one role and in the other, it offers a great advantage: the search for creative solutions to face problems.
Some examples of famous multipotential people
The fact that throughout the history of mankind until today there has not been a label with which to designate anyone who identified with the characteristics of a multipotential person does not mean that they have not existed. In fact, quite the contrary, since we find examples of famous people who would fit this profile since time immemorial.
Hypatia of Alexandria, Leonardo Da Vinci, Eleanor Roosevelt or Benjamin Franklin are some of the historical figures whose special talents historical figures whose special talents made them famous figures who are still admired to this day. who are still admired to this day. Or more recent references such as Steve Jobs, Timothy Ferriss (author of “The Four-Hour Workweek”) and even the popular host Oprah Winfrey.
What if I’m not?
Absolutely nothing! If in your case you are a person with a declared zeal for a certain topic, with a real interest in knowing more about it and you dedicate your time to it with passion, you are a specialist. And the ideal combination for collaborative environments is to have a multi-potential person and a specialist (or several).
Emilie Wapnick had a phrase that she used as a leitmotiv leitmotif: explore the intersections. And with that she proposed a challenge to all of us who identified with a multipotential person: to find the connections that might exist between our interests to discover the common thread with which to effectively weave them together.
And for those of you who have always been clear about what your real vocation is and have delved into that field with true passion, keep it up! Thanks to you there are great specialists in all areas.
For that reason, be clear about one thing: Whether you are a multipotential person or a specialist, keep doing what you do best, because it will be what you can make your mark on. Whatever you are… The world needs you!