Probably my biggest challenge in life has always been that I love too many things. I have a project here, a trip there, five ideas over here and I am currently on a long-ass bike ride.
Years ago I came across a quote from Helmut Newton and it went something like: “I have a short attention span. That’s why I became a photographer. If a project takes longer than a week I get distracted.”
That quote stuck with me, I feel the same. I love diving into a photoshoot and work on that specific project. But there is usually an expiration date on my focus. And it’s usually not very long.
Over the past couple years (there was more time to think than normal), I started wondering if I had a mild form of ADHD or one of those. I would just jump around on projects and it felt chaotic and inefficient. Years ago a friend and gallerist commented on my jumping around and assured me that it would likely work in my benefit. He was somewhat impressed with my energy in starting projects and exploring on so many different levels. Yet I still feel like it is holding me back, it hinders me from reaching my full potential.
I am a classically trained commercial photographer. I can solve almost any photographic riddle you’ll throw at me, my technical skills are very high. I am also not very interested in technical problems but love to explore visually on a purely creative and experiential level.
I also make sculptures. They are inspired by laws of physics, require engineering and physical labor but really what I want to communicate is a philosophy.
I play guitar and know how to use a DAW, I love cycling, surfing, trail running, gardening… The list goes on.
One of my therapists (close friend I ride up the mountain on bikes with, not an actual therapist) is a believer in specialists or specialization. We had many arguments in which I had to defend my “generalist” approach. I never felt like I got through to him on the benefits of being a generalist in what I do. It always bugged me. The specialist is adored by culture for their focus and ability to deliver on a specific topic, the generalist is accepted as a jack of all trades who can do many things but wows at none. That always felt like bullshit to me…
Cue the “Multipotentialite”! This term was coined by Emilie Wapnick around 2010 and is just a modern term for “Renaissance Man”, “Polymath” or “Generalist”. But maybe this is what we need to change the perception of people who fall into this category (which I believe lots of people do).
Although multipotentialite is a modern term, the idea of someone with many passions is not new. Any student of history often hears mention of polymaths or Renaissance people. Multipotentialites have, indeed, existed as long as human societies.
While the strengths of multipotentialites are not always appreciated in post-industrial capitalist societies, there have been times throughout history when being well-versed in multiple disciplines was considered the ideal. And, of course, multipotentiality is highly valued in certain spaces, contexts and cultures today.
https://puttylike.com/terminology/
I am not a fan of labels or being put in a category (ironically this seems to be a characteristic of the Multipotentialite). Yet, researching the term (and taking a quiz on puttylike.com, THE website on the topic) it seems pretty clear that I fall into this category. Now again, I would argue that A LOT of people do. This isn’t some revelation of a character trait never heard of before. Reading about it gave me a feeling of approval though.
A lot of my mind wanderings and questions about how to do life are explained by simply acknowledging that this is how I am wired to some degree.
Did I know this before I found this term? Yes. But like mentioned earlier I had gotten to the point of wondering if I had a mild form of Attention Deficit Disorder. (Maybe I do?).
One section on puttylike.com stood out to me:
Multipotentialites often struggle with:
Finding work that provides both enough variety and stability
Productivity and focus issues, like balancing the need to explore with the need to make progress on multiple projects
Challenges with mental health and confidence, such as imposter syndrome, answering the question So, what do you do? and dealing with family and friends who don’t understand.
What do you do? Hahahaha, I can’t tell you how much I have struggled with this question! We are so drilled by society to have an elevator pitch and mine was always: “Well, I am a photographer but I also make sculptures and am an artist, really I am a multidisciplinary artist but I do very commercial work as well and have I mentioned I love to ride bikes?”
Now would I answer that question with: “I am a Multipotentialite!”
Unlikely… sounds a bit douchy. Understanding the way I am wired and having some affirmation on it is a big leap in confidence though. Here are some benefits to being a Multipotentialite according to puttylike.com:
Idea synthesis
Rapid learning
Adaptability
Big picture thinking
Relating to and translating between different types of people, “languages,” and modes of thought
Again, all of these come very naturally to me. What can I say, as much as I don’t want to be categorized this one hits a lot of marks.
Most importantly, this allows me to explain myself better. Now I have some information to offer!
If any of this sounds familiar, rings a bell of any kind, here is some more info:
Multipotentialites are known for:
Thriving on learning
Exploring options
Mastering new skills
Being innovators
Being problem solvers
Being willing to take on new challenges and discoveries
Some clues that you might be a Multipotentialite include:
Having a non-linear career path
Easily making connections between seemingly unrelated concepts
Getting bored when things get too easy
Excelling at idea generation
Having an aversion to routine and predictability
Thanks for reading, let me know your thoughts, and until next time.
