Nowadays being "multi-passionate" seems to be the quickest way to explain why it may be hard to focus in on one job, hobby, niche, or other "recommended" ways of spending your time, effort, and energy.
To that I have an urgent PSA:
We're all multi-passionate. That doesn't make you special.
Very few people only enjoy or are passionate about one single thing. We're all complex individuals who each have multiple layers to our interests, skills, talents, and experiences.
The problem isn't that you have multiple passions, the problem is that you haven't mastered where to focus.
Here's what I mean.
In life, there's always going to be something that we "could" be doing—a new project to start, a new job to apply for, a new person to date, a new hobby to monetize...
Defaulting to the perils of being multi-passionate suggests that the alternative—only having one project to work on, one job to pursue, one person to choose, or one hobby to enjoy—is a better option.
But is it really?
I personally don't think so. In fact, I think one of the greatest joys of the human condition is being able to explore, discover, test, and revise.
To try things out and change our mind.
To learn as we go.
That's why the issue isn't having multiple interests, the issue is thinking that we either have to do, have, and be all things all the time or can only do, have, and be one thing forever. In short, too many of us try to swing the pendulum in one direction instead of allowing ourselves the opportunity to fully embrace what it means to be human.
That's where the concept of distractions, obstacles, and shiny objects comes in.
Distractions sound like "If I spend time, energy, or other resources on this thing, I won't be able to get back on track."
Obstacles sound like "If I don't spend time, energy, or other resources on this thing, I won't be able to get where I want or need to go."
Shiny objects sound like "This thing is cute, but I don't necessarily need to spend time, energy, or other resources on it right now."
You see, the key to being multi-passionate is realizing that:
1. Just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you HAVE TO do it and
2. "No” doesn’t always have to mean “never”... sometimes it can simply mean “not right now.”
There have been so many times in life where I’ve found myself wanting to do all of the things just to prove that I could and/or because I was worried that if I declined once, the opportunity would never come around again...
Those moments were always a recipe for exhaustion, frustration, and disappointment because the time and energy I put into those things took away time and energy from the things I actually cared about.
I’m so glad that now I know better.
And I hope reading this helps you know better, too.
Because yes, you’re a person with multiple interests, talents, and skills, but you and I both know that there’s only so much time in a day and energy to be spent, so how do you really know what to focus on and what to do?
How do you really know what opportunities to take advantage of and which ones to decline?
The answer?
By being crystal clear about where you’re headed, what you’re doing, and why you’re doing it.
By understanding the difference between distractions, obstacles, and shiny objects.
By truly believing that sometimes a “no” just really means “not right now.”
And by being honest about your capacity and limitations, even if they make others (and yourself) uncomfortable.
Once you’ve mastered this level of discernment and put it to use consistently, then you’ll be able to make the most of your time, effort, and energy.
That’s when you’ll be able to pick your battles and know which mountains are yours to climb.
That’s when you’ll truly feel fulfilled and that what you’re doing is worth it.
That’s when things get a lot easier.
That's when you can truly enjoy all the things you're passionate about.
If you want to learn more about how to make the most of your time, effort, and energy and all the different layers of your life, check out LIFE BY DESIGN, my self-paced masterclass where we cover all things you and the life you want to live. Visit the course page for more details and to get immediate, lifetime access: https://courses.dianaramorris.com/courses/lifebydesign.