Building A Business or Pursuing A Dream? This One Word Changes Everything

A couple months ago, I came across a word that blew my mind.

This word is multipotentialite.

If you’re like me, you’re probably thinking what does that word actually mean?

A multipotentialite is someone who has a lot of different interests.

Wikipedia says it is a term referring to the ability of a person, particularly one of intellectual or artistic curiosity, to excel in two or more different fields.

And this one word can give you tremendous insight as you build your dream business.

How so?

To answer that, let’s look at the three signs that you are a multipotentialite:

1. You have a lot of interests — not just one interest — and on the surface they seem disconnected.

You may not be sure what to pursue with your dream because you have a list of things that interest you. Instead of just saying, “I want to be a writer,” you might say, ”Well, I like writing, teaching, football, and designing websites.”

2. You thrive on learning, exploring, and mastering new skills.

When you work on something you enjoy, you immerse yourself into it and then a few months later you are ready for a new challenge. You may read a bunch of books about the same topic for a few months and then move on to another topic later.

3. Fear of commitment is a huge driving force.

Boredom is the ultimate enemy because a multipotentialite needs variety to thrive. When you find variety, you feel more complete and even more satisfied.

For example, I really struggled to call myself a “writer.” I didn’t want to have just that one identity as I assumed it would be very limiting. But now in reality as a writer I spend a lot of time not only writing but also doing research, talking with people, coaching, editing, marketing, reading, thinking and even analyzing story structure in movies or shows.

At this point you may be nodding your head in agreement thinking you are likely a multipotentialite. Here are a few tips about building a dream or business as a multipotentialite:

Be intentional and pay close attention to your interests. If they keep popping up, these are not distractions but rather real interests. Take a Strengthsfinder test and a personality test like the Enneagram. As you learn about yourself, you’ll start to grow in leaps and bounds.

Try to connect the dots. This isn’t easy and will definitely take some time, but you can do it. Recurring interests are the best place to start. Journal and set aside time to reflect. There is a very fine line between a hobby and a dream. Sometimes, the two can switch places. An activity you enjoy — whatever you call it — which provides fulfillment is important. You’ll find common themes throughout your story if you pay close attention.

Don’t allow your many interests to turn into excuses. You will still have to focus. Every dream requires hard work you aren’t excited about doing. This is completely natural and part of the process.

Get some support if you really want to move forward. Dream building is not easy. If you want real growth, reach out and get some help. Not just reading, watching videos or spending time online. Get a coach or mentor instead of “winging it.” An outside perspective will help you see what you cannot see. If you are stuck, or need encouragement please feel free to reach out. I would be thrilled to help you build business or your dream.

Do you think you are a multipotentialite? Why?