Almost all of us have been asked the question: “What do you want to be when you grow up”. Some of us can give quick answers such as doctor, painter, consultant, but a lot of us are stuck on this popular question. The reasons for being stumped can be as simple as not knowing what to do, or even having too many things that you want to do. We’re constantly scrambling around to find our purpose in life, while society pushes us to find our “one true calling”.
In her TED Talk, Emilie Wapnick explains that when we are asked “what do you want to be?”, it often limits us to seeing what we can be and not all that we can be. More often than not, we are left to choose a single answer, yet, what if you don’t have a single calling, but several? Emilie Wapnick refers to such individuals as “multipotentialites”, people who have several passions and jobs over a lifetime. Wapnick talks about the strengths of being a multipotentialite and why it’s okay to stand out from the crowd by having several callings instead of one.
Some of us may be thinking, “I haven’t found a single calling, so I must be a multipotentialite!” but keep in mind that just because you haven’t found a single calling, doesn’t mean you’re a multipotentialite either. As one of our Scouters explains, “people often can’t find their one true calling because they have never really thought about it, or they haven’t gone far enough in searching for one”.
In the midst of trying to keep up with our busy schedules, a lot of us may feel that we’re running forward without knowing the “whys”: Why am I doing this degree? Why am I part of this organization? Why haven’t I found my passion? If you feel lost, take a step back and reflect on yourself. Try to take some time out of your week to give yourself a moment to slow down and think about your strengths, weaknesses, interests and values. By giving yourself time to think, you’ll allow yourself to get back on track in terms of triangulating your “why” in life.
Wapnick leaves her audience with a inspiring message to “embrace your inner wiring, whatever that may be. If you’re a specialist at heart, then by all means, specialize. That is where you’ll do your best work. To the multipotentialites…embrace your many passions, follow your curiosity down those rabbit holes. Explore your intersections. Embracing your inner wiring leads to a happier and more authentic life.”
For Emilie Wapnick’s full TED Talk, check out the video down below: