The Issue With Being A Multipotentialite

I'll be the first to say that I am really happy that the word Multipotentialite has gotten so popular. Now I think most people who identify with that word as their "anchor" if you will, they are actually NOT a Multi.

Rather they are a person of multiple interests, but lack the understanding that there are other terms. Let alone levels to being multidisciplinary. Hence why I created the Multidisciplinary Spectrum, to help you find where that next level is for you.

This video is also really interesting, so I figured it would be good to share in regards to this post.

Make sure you follow people you admire, and want to be like!

You are who you surround yourself with, but also who you seen online over and over. If you want to escape an echo-chamber of negativity, or be motivated to do more. Then you need to follow people that escape that trap.

You can follow the youtubers or actors, or people who do all of the things you want to do. If you feel like you're being pulled in many different directions, then probably you're not alone. There is someone out there that has done a collection of areas of knowledge that you like too. More than likely.

Follow in their footsteps, and eventually you'll branch off. However they'll help you get your footing. Perhaps even become a peer at some point.

They may have gotten there by Juggling or by taking a more Serialized approach. You might have to do the opposite, but you won't know until you find the person first!

"Tom the TOP Expert in 10 Different Fields"

Enrico in the video mentioned this figurative person who is a top expert in 10 different fields. That isn't really possible, and to even think it is at all isn't worth entertaining the idea. Mind this is coming from the guy (me) who wants you to do MORE in life.

As I talk about a lot in the Multidisciplinary Spectrum, each level you rise up, the less amount of fields you technically have. The Multipotentialite has 15+ fields because they are exploring, dabbling, and tasting all the world has to offer. Though that makes them a layperson or novice in all of those fields. Barely spending the first 20 hours in any particular subject. This is where the polymathic person gets called the "flighty" or "shiny object follower" monikers.

However as a polymathic person, if we specialize more and more, but just multiple specialties. Instead of just a singular one. Then as time goes on we find the fields we care most about, and start pursuing them deeper and deeper.

This is what sets apart the Multipotentialite from the Jack of All Trades, or the Generalist, or especially a Polymath. Now if you are an expert and you want to call yourself a jack of all trades or multipotentialite then that is totally fine. It is just that statistically you're more rare.

If the Multi is 15+ areas with less than a novice level of knowledge, then the Jack of all trades is 15 or less, probably around 10 areas but with a novice to adept level of knowledge in each.

Keep in mind you CAN be a Polymath and Jack of all trades, the JoAT is one of those terms that is more fluid. Meaning you CAN be a multi-expert JoAT, its just not as common.

Around this time someone might also find a specialty, and be more of a T-Shaped expert, or Expert Generalist.

Then the generalist is someone with perhaps 4-6 areas of a medium level of knowledge, really wide ranging.

Then over time 3 become more of the focus, perhaps the only focuses, and then you follow a more Polymath level. This is the Multidisciplinary Spectrum essentially.

So what is the problem?

I didn't quite explain what the actual problem is.

The real issue is that being a multi potentialite, is someone with the POTENTIAL to do many different things. That's great... but it isn't the same as actually DOING those many different things.

That isn't to say you haven't, as like I said some Multi's have multiple higher level expertise. It is all situational based on the person.

Although from what I have seen in the multipotentialite world, is this farce of an idea of progression. Meaning the idea of making progress, when you really have just been jumping between things. I've mentioned numerous times before, that it is okay to Juggle, but you also need to know when to focus on one thing and Interleave.

There are times, that even generalist and polymaths, and Multi's need to sit down and focus on ONE thing. To get over a plateau.