Career & Business Coaching Blog.
Inspiration and tips for multi-passionate creatives & entrepreneurs.
15 Dream Jobs For Creative Generalists (aka Multi-Passionate Creatives)
A creative generalist (also known as a polymath, a jack-or-jill-of-all-trades, a multipotentialite, a multi-passionate creative, or even a Da Vinci man or woman) is someone who has diverse skills, interests, and knowledge. They see connections between unrelated things and solve problems in unconventional ways. Because of their unique brain wiring, they need a lot of variety to remain engaged in their work. It's vital for them to feel challenged to learn new things, utilizes their skills, and that their job is meaningful and serves a greater purpose than themselves.
My definition of creative generalists reads like this:
Curious and adventurous dabbler, explorer, and fast learner - someone with many talents, broad interests, and a hunger for knowledge across many topics. A natural program-solver and bridge-builder with thicker skin for failure and a capacity for change. Doesn't fit into a specific career path. Easily bored. Loves to get started over and over again. Always in for a challenge.
Creative generalists can bring a unique perspective and innovative thinking to any job, but some careers are especially suited to their skill set and to keep them happy and interested.
Here are 15 dream jobs that creative generalists might consider:
1. Art Director: If you want to work in a field that requires diverse artistic and creative expression, this is a great place to start. Art directors create visuals and campaigns for advertisement and branding campaigns, direct photo shoots, and manage visual style guides. They combine various skills to create a cohesive story for their clients. Generalists are particularly suited to be art directors because they can draw on many sources, interests, and talents to create something truly unique.
2. Travel Photographer: If you have many interests and talents, a career as a travel photographer can be gratifying. It's an ideal career for those who love exploring and capturing gorgeous images and learning something new daily. If you don't want to be tied down to one place, need variety in your work, like meeting people and exploring different cultures, and have a knack for photography, this career might be ideal for you.
3. Art Therapist: Combining art, psychology, and emotion, art therapy helps people express themselves through creativity, understand themselves better, and find healing. Art therapists use traditional art-making materials such as paint, clay, ink, and various philosophies of life to guide and counsel their clients. Creative generalists who like helping others can apply their diverse skillset to this field to facilitate healing and help people increase self-awareness and cope with emotional distress.
4. Credit Manager: A credit manager is responsible for managing a business's money flow. This work involves overseeing customer accounts, approving loans, and managing repayment plans. You need to have strong analytical skills to be able to forecast cash flow and make decisions based on financial trends, but also tap into a wide range of topics and can understand different contexts to come up with creative solutions to money-related problems—an ideal career for hungry for knowledge and problem-solving creative generalist.
5. UX/UI Designer: UX (user experience) and UI (user interface) designers combine the technical aspects of design with innovative thinking to create aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-use products. You'll need to think on your feet to solve complex design problems, but you'll be rewarded with the satisfaction of using your skills and ideas to create something new - and of great use to others! It's an excellent career choice for the creative generalist who loves psychology, technology, problem-solving, and building things.
6. Video Producer: From short documentaries to corporate videos, video producers are the people who bring stories to life. Video producers need to be able to write, direct, shoot and edit videos, so a diverse skill set is essential. Creative generalists with an eye for detail and a passion for storytelling can easily find their place in this fast-growing field, where their technical and artistic skills can shine.
7. Copywriter / Ghostwriter: Copywriting is about creating compelling content that grabs attention and drives action. A creative generalist with a good grasp of language and the ability to dig into and learn about new subjects can make a great copywriter. The same is true for ghostwriters, who write content for books, speeches, or articles but are not credited for it. Both professions are perfect for those who can't live without learning something new and crafting stories that stand out.
8. Digital Marketer: Digital marketing requires knowledge of both digital media and traditional marketing principles, making it ideal for creative generalists who have experience with both. They need a wide range of interests and skills to juggle all the aspects of digital campaigns, from content creation and strategy to analytics. A digital marketer brings together words, images, videos, and other content to create effective campaigns that reach their target audience.
9. Event Planner: For the creative generalist who thrives on imagination and loves planning and organizing events, this career is a great way to combine their passion for people, design, and coordination. Event planners create unique experiences that capture an audience's attention; they need to be creative, understand their client's wishes, think outside the box, and handle all the technical details involved in event planning. This career is perfect for those who don't want two days to look the same.
10. Business Consultant: A business consultant offers guidance for businesses on a variety of topics, such as marketing, finance, operations, and strategy. Creative generalists with a broad range of knowledge and savvy sales and business experience make excellent consultants, as they can combine their expertise and hunger for knowledge with creative problem-solving skills to help businesses reach their goals. This career is perfect for those who want to use their creativity, need for variety, and ability to understand complex concepts and experiences to help others succeed.
9. Video Game Designer: If you have a lot of imagination and love technology and telling or creating stories, this could be your career. As a video game designer, you'll plan out levels, design characters, develop storylines and write code that makes the game playable. Strong computer programming skills are a plus for this job, although this is undoubtedly something generalists can learn as they go (don't you love your brain!). Applying your understanding of how stories are created, worlds are built, and how people interact with technology will keep this job interesting.
10. Social Media Manager: If you are passionate about staying up-to-date on the latest trends in social media, becoming a social media manager could be the perfect fit. As a social media manager, you'll need to stay on top of the newest platforms and technological trends and create engaging content that will draw people in and encourage them to take action. Good writing skills, an eye for design and detail, and an understanding of how different platforms work are essential for this job. Never a dull day in the office for creative generalists here!
11. Project Manager: Project managers are the people who oversee and coordinate complex projects. It's a versatile and rewarding job for creative generalists who fear boredom like Superman feared kryptonite. It does require analytical thinking and spreadsheet and detailed planning, so it won't be for all generalists, even though their skills come in handy in this job, as project managers need to be able to understand a wide range of topics, communicate effectively and juggle multiple tasks. If you like solving puzzles and working with people, then project management might be the career for you!
12. Brand Strategist: A brand strategist is responsible for developing strategies that help build a company's image and reputation. You will be responsible for researching the competition, identifying target markets, and devising creative campaigns that capture attention. For this job, you'll need good analytical skills, excellent communication abilities to effectively convey the strategy to stakeholders, and a love for design and storytelling.
13. Software Developer: Software development can be a great career choice for the creative generalist who thrives on challenges. This job involves coding, troubleshooting, and debugging software applications for various platforms. You'll need strong problem-solving skills to create the software your client or employer will need. A degree in computer science or a related field is handy. However, many companies today teach you the skills you'll need on the job. Software development is an excellent career for those who like the challenge of tackling tough problems!
14. Animator/VFX Artist: An animator is responsible for bringing characters and stories to life through motion graphics or 3D animations. Working as an animator requires understanding how people interact with visuals and technical skills in animation software. Additionally, VFX artists create special effects in videos and films, so knowledge of video editing software is also necessary. Staying on top of new trends and techniques will help you stay ahead in this field.
15. Entrepreneur: Of all the careers creative generalists can go for, one of the most rewarding and suited for their particular strengths and creative needs is to become an entrepreneur. This career path involves developing a unique idea for a product or service, creating a business plan, launching the business, managing resources, and developing strategies for growth. Entrepreneurship requires creativity, learning new things, being able to wear different hats, ambition, dedication, and problem-solving skills to succeed.
A note about portfolio careers
All of these careers are perfect options for creative generalists who want to use their broad range of knowledge and experience to make something new and innovative. For some generalists, however, even these multi-skill careers still feel too limiting. This may be the case for you. If so, you're not alone.
Many generalists don't have one but at least two such careers they juggle or work where they combine the exciting bits of different jobs into what is known as a portfolio career: a career that's tailored to you and your passions; and encompasses a multitude of areas, skills, and interests.
The key with portfolio careers is to find a way to make all of your different interests fit into one coherent career and ensure that what you need to be happy - variety, purpose, challenges, and fun - are present. Building the foundation of a portfolio career can take some time, but if you have the dedication and drive, it's a gratifying experience and something you can achieve!
I know because helping generalists find their dream job or create their dream careers is what I do. If you'd like to explore this, don't hesitate to get in touch! Plus, you can find many remote job opportunities for perfect creative generalist jobs like software, back-end, and junior front-end developers on platforms like Jooble.
Feel overwhelmed by your many talents and interests?
I can help you make sense of it all. As a professional coach, I provide guidance for creatives and entrepreneurs to find their dream job or develop their unique portfolio career from their diverse range of experiences, skills, knowledge and passions.
Imagine how great it would feel to finally create the lifestyle that allows you to do work you love while living the creative and entrepreneurial life of your dreams.
How to Overcome The Fear of Choice: 5 Tips For Those With Too Many Ideas And Interests
When you're a creative generalist (multi-passionate creative) or someone with many passions and interests, the fear of choice can be a real challenge. How do you know what the "right" thing to do is? How do you know which idea to pursue? How do you know which direction to take your career? This article will explore how to overcome the fear of choice and make decisions without feeling paralyzed by all of your options.
Not choosing is also a choice.
The first step is to understand that you don't have to choose forever. It's something I took a long time to learn and probably one of the most freeing things I teach my clients. If you're thinking about starting a new project but are afraid to commit, remember that you can always change your mind later. You really - really - never choose anything forever.
The second step is to understand that you can combine interests and ideas. It's one of the things that makes creative generalists so special. We can see connections between disparate things and bring them together into something new. So if you're feeling pulled in two different directions, try combining them into something new instead of choosing one or the other.
The third step is to choose temporarily. It goes hand-in-hand with the understanding that you can always change your mind later. When making a decision, remember that it doesn't have to be forever. You can always try something new later. It takes the pressure off of making a "perfect" decision and allows you to experiment without fear.
It's about the choice that's right for you at the moment.
When creative generalists are confronted with a choice, many are overwhelmed to the point that they do nothing anymore. But the truth is: that no choice is also a choice. If you don't decide, someone else will do it for you. So instead of being afraid of making the wrong choice, embrace your many passions and use them to your advantage. You never know where they might lead you. Remember, there is no "right" thing to do - there is only what is right for you at this moment. And even that can change tomorrow. So don't be afraid to experiment, combine interests, and change your mind. It's all part of the creative process!
Do you struggle with the fear of choice? Here are five tips to help you overcome indecision and move forward with your life.
Write down everything that interests you and look for the common themes. Are there things you can combine or that build upon each other? For example, if you're interested in fashion and design, you could pursue a career in fashion journalism or start your clothing line.
Look at your interests from different angles. What are the skills you have that are transferable to other contexts or environments? Instead of thinking in terms of knowledge gaps, what are your knowledge strengths? Remember that you don't have to choose just one thing. You can have multiple interests and pursue some of them simultaneously. The key is to be flexible and open-minded and not get too attached to any one idea.
By understanding your values, you can start to narrow down your options. What is most important to you? Is it creative expression? Making a difference in the world? Financial security? Once you know what you value most, you can begin to make choices that align with those values.
Try not to get caught up in the details. It's easy to get bogged down in all of the "what ifs" and "buts" when making a decision. But at the end of the day, there is usually more than one correct answer. So don't overthink it – go with your gut and trust that you will figure out the details along the way.
Sometimes, the best way to make a decision is to weigh your options and see which one feels right. But don't get too caught up in this process – at the end of the day, you must go with your gut feeling. So if that means combining things that look different to everyone else but make sense to you, go for it! Make a list of pros and cons for each option, but don't agonize over it.
Making decisions can be challenging, but it's important to remember that you don't have to choose forever. You can always change your mind later. So embrace your many passions and use them to your advantage. You never know where they might lead you. So go ahead and let your inner creative generalist out! Don't let the fear of choice keep you from pursuing your dreams.
Feeling lost in your career?
Overwhelmed by all your interests and the things you "could be doing"?
You're not alone. A lot of people feel stuck at some point in their careers. That's where private coaching can help. I will help you get unstuck and figure out what you want to do next.
Imagine having a job that combines all your passions into one cohesive career. It's possible, I see it every day in my practice, and I can help make it happen for you. We'll work together to find the best way to use your skills and talents, so you can finally be happy with your work life.
Why You Might Have More Than One Why (And That's Okay)
Okay, you want to change the world, but you also want to travel in style. Or you want to save the planet, but at the same time, you do love fashion, and you feel best when you look your best - in Chanel and Lagerfeld! Or perhaps you want to paint all day and brighten the world with your art, but you also love finance and AI, and you're dying to enter a program at MIT that you know will mark the future for DeFi.
As someone with multiple passions and interests, I can tell you that the struggle is real. Although after thousands of hours coaching multi-passionate creatives (creative generalists), I know that all our interests and passions are a whole on a certain level, it's often difficult to figure out what that looks like. The same is true for our "whys."
Many creative generalists feel torn between multiple reasons why they do what they do, as well as different dreams or even lives they'd love to live. Those whys and goals might even contradict themselves.
You're a multi-passionate creative, a creative entrepreneur, a creative generalist. In short, a complex, multi-faceted and nuanced human being. You're allowed to be driven by more than one thing. In this article, we'll explore why you might have more than one "why" and how that's okay.
The power of your "whys"
Your whys are a powerful force in your life. They drive your decisions and your actions. If you have more than one, even though you might not think it right now, I consider you very lucky! Some people desperately look for their "why" their entire life, without ever feeling the inspiration you enjoy every day. It might be what makes you so creative and unique. You're not just an artist, scientist, or businessman - you're all of those things at once.
Simon Sinek says that you should find your why before anything else. As a thought leader, he has popularized the idea that everyone needs to have a single "Why" as their driving force in life. But what happens when your "why" changes over time or you have more than one?
In his TEDTalk, "How Great Leaders Inspire Action," Simon Sinek shares how your why is your driving force in life and should be your priority before anything else. He talks about the golden circle of communication for companies and leaders and how their why can inspire cooperation, trust, and change.
It's true; a powerful why can move us. If it's powerful enough, it can even move mountains - or at least start a revolution. So that's not the issue. The problem begins when you have more than one why, but the world keeps on telling you to pick just one. When that happens, you're stuck in multi-passionate choice overload. And as you might be familiar with, this is not a happy place to be.
The many "whys" of multi-passionate creatives
If you're a creative generalist, you probably have many different types of whys in your life. You might have some creative passions like writing or photography and some other, more mainstream "whys" that keep you motivated.
As a multi-passionate creative or entrepreneur, your "whys" can contradict themselves. One day you might be driven by your passion for saving the world, and the next, you might be more interested in making a lot of money. That doesn't mean that one is more important than the other; it's just that your priorities might change from day to day or week to week.
Creative generalists often have multiple whys because they're interested in many different things. They're naturally curious, and they like to explore new things. They're also very adaptable and can easily switch between various interests. This type of creativity is often called divergent thinking, and it's the type of creativity needed for innovation.
As a multi-passionate, you might also have what's called a portfolio career. A portfolio career is a career where you have multiple jobs or roles related to your skills and passions. This type of career is becoming more and more popular, as people are looking for ways to escape the rat race and find more meaning in their work.
So if you're feeling overwhelmed by all your different passions, don't worry. You're not alone. And you're not crazy. You're a creative entrepreneur, and that's a good thing. Embrace your many whys and use them to drive you towards your goals.
How to find balance when you have more than one (contradicting) why?
Even though creativity is a "why" that feels like an escape or release for many people, there are other times when it can feel like your duty and obligation. This is because of another why that you have: your sense of responsibility. You might feel a strong need to take care of those around you, including your team, clients or customers, and family members.
This contradiction can make it hard for creative generalists to find the balance between their two (or more) whys. But it's possible to bridge the dichotomy in two ways:
The first way is by mixing your whys and your obligations so that one does not outweigh the other. This might include delegating your creative tasks to someone else or outsourcing them when you have too many deadlines on your plate.
The second way is creating a pattern or rhythm that reflects your sense of balance between your creative spark and your responsibility. This might be something like scheduling your creative tasks for a portion of the day so that you can focus on your work-related duties during another time slot.
No matter how you find balance, it's important to remember that it will always be a work in progress. Don't be hard on yourself if you feel like you're not living up to your high standards. Just keep working at it, and eventually, you'll find a groove that works for you.
You're a unique creative being; you're allowed to have more than one why! It's your life - and your only one. So take the time to go deep on what matters to you, identify your creative passions as well as your other "whys," and combine them in a way that makes sense to you.
Do you want to make a career out of your passions?
I know what it feels like to have multiple interests – but not knowing how to make them work together. Sometimes, it can feel impossible, but that doesn't mean it has to stay that way forever! If you're tired of feeling like there's no way to turn your passions into a career, then this might be the moment everything changes for you.
Let's explore your unique nature and create a plan together so we can figure out how best to turn your many interests into an extraordinary career and life!
How to Tell if You're a Multi-Passionate Entrepreneur. And Why it Matters.
Do you enjoy multitasking and can't stand to be bored? Do you have an insatiable hunger for knowledge? Do you see challenges or solutions where everyone else sees problems? Does it feel like you always have a million business ideas or things you're passionate about? If so, you might be a multi-passionate creative entrepreneur. Being multi-passionate is not always easy; after all, we still live in a world of specialists. To make the most of your unusual but incredible gifts requires patience, tolerance, curiosity, discipline, and creativity.
In this article, I'll help explain who multi-passionate creative entrepreneurs are, how they can make the best of their gifts and talents, and the benefits of their unique traits for multi-passionate entrepreneurship.
How to know if you are multi-passionate?
Multi-passionate creatives are individuals who have multiple passions and talents. It may not sound that extraordinary, but in a world that focuses on specialists and wants people to choose one thing and stick to it, being someone with a wide range of interests can be tricky, even painful. Especially if you don't know whether this fits into what society calls "normal."
Multi-passionate creatives are usually talented and interested in many things, not just one-off activities like marketing, writing, and dancing. They often are curious and want to know how things work and why. Exploring different areas of interest is probably what defines them the most. They love to expose themselves to new ideas, cultures, music, and so on. Thinking outside the box comes naturally to them.
In other words, a multi-passionate creative is someone who learns fast, is interested, connects dots, and thus can produce high-quality work in multiple fields of choice. If you're reading this article, my guess is you might be part of the family!
Why does it matter?
Multi-passionate creatives have a distinct advantage while pursuing their dream career paths: If you're an entrepreneur, you know that your business is only as good as the people who work for it. And if you're looking to hire someone or to turn an employee into an entrepreneur, multi-passionate creatives are the cream of the crop.
The ability to see the obvious answer is why multi-passionate creatives are in such high demand in today's competitive job market. Multi-passionate creatives like us can do their job well because we have a lot of different experiences to draw on. We're flexible and can deal with changes well. And we excel at problem-solving or coming up with creative solutions to challenges. Because we think differently from others, we can come up with fresh ways to look at issues or problems that others may overlook because it seems like the obvious solution.
Paradoxically, all these abilities and qualities that make us invaluable to employers also challenge finding or even creating our dream career. Multi-passionate people don't easily fit into the classic 9 to 5 work equation because we tend to be interested in more than one (many!) thing. Because of this, many of us might have opted out of a standard job or career path to pursue our dreams, but it takes practice and time before we learn how to manage all our projects well enough so that none of them suffer neglect.
The benefits of being a multi-passionate entrepreneur
We have multiple passions. Multi-passionate creatives have a hunger for knowledge and creativity. We're always exploring new interests and talents, which keeps us from getting bored. And this is important because boredom is our kryptonite!
We're multi-talented. We usually have a particular knack for a wide range of interests and crafts. This makes us incredibly resourceful! A multi-passionate creative is often a master in their craft, but that's not all.
We're curious. Multi-passionate creatives can access different knowledge and experiences that others don't have. This makes us a valuable asset to any team.
We're intuitive. And pick up quickly on different things. People with multiple passions can easily spot connections and patterns, enabling us to solve problems faster. Multi-passionate creatives can understand many subjects rapidly, as our broad range of interests allows us to learn from others and life.
We're flexible. Multi-passionate creatives are known for their ability to work in many different environments and with various people comfortably. We thrive when we have the opportunity to express ourselves creatively. This makes multi-passionate entrepreneurs an excellent fit for self-employment and consulting, as we don't rely on one particular kind of environment or people.
We're open-minded. Multi-passionate creatives usually have an interest in other cultures and backgrounds. We learn from other people's experiences and viewpoints, making it easy to connect with others. And that makes us great team members and networkers.
We love learning. Multi-passionate creatives love to learn from each other and life in general! As mentioned above, we often understand new subject matter quickly, which is a huge asset in today's fast-moving world. That's why most multi-passionate creatives have a natural ability to understand and integrate a lot of information from many different fields.
If you feel like you identify with some of the traits of a multi-passionate creative entrepreneur, then it's important to embrace those qualities! Own your multi-faceted personality and use it to your advantage. Be patient when it comes to exploring new passions and be willing to put in the hard work to make your dreams a reality.
Embrace your multi-passionate creative side and go out and change the world!
Do you have multiple passions?
We are all born with multiple passions, but many of us lose touch with them as we grow up. We start to think that it’s not possible to have more than one passion at a time. But the truth is, if you want to be successful in business and life, you need to embrace your multi-passions. It will help you become happier and more fulfilled in every aspect of your life.
But what if you're not sure what your passions are? Or if you're afraid of pursuing them because you don't want to fail? That's where private coaching can help. I can help you figure out what your passions are and how to use them to create a successful business.
I Want To Do Everything: Which Career Should I Choose?
"I want to do everything!" How many times have you told yourself that? As a creative generalist or multi-passionate creative (aka a multipotentialite, a polymath, a renaissance soul, or a slasher), you likely feel like this at least a few times a week. It's great to be passionate and curious about different things and to wonder about different career paths as a result. But without knowing which career would best suit your skill-set and personality, and more, make you happy, choice stress can set in. Don't worry! In this article, we'll discuss what career choices might be a good fit for someone who likes doing everything, so read on!
If you're a creative generalist or multi-passionate creative, the choice anxiety that plagues many people is probably your worst nightmare. It was for me, anyway. When I was younger, I wanted to do so many things! From graphic design to drawing, from freelance writing to web application development, I was interested in it all, and everyone around me was pushing me to pick a thing, to choose, to "decide my entire life!". This career choice stress got so bad at times that it kept me from doing anything at all, or it made me start too many things simultaneously and lose focus very fast.
If you're suffering from choice stress, the first thing you need to do is to figure out which (creative) career path makes your heart skip a beat and the multi-passionate creative that you are. Because, well, yes, there are variations in how we express our unique creative nature! For example, suppose you are a creative generalist who likes to dive deep into a subject for a while. In that case, you might want to choose your primary interest and follow that as a career path while keeping your other interests and passions alive on the side. If, however, you need a lot of variation (like me) and can't live without actively pursuing a few of your interests at once, then you should focus your career choice on jobs that include at least a portion of those interests and the variety that you need. Or perhaps you're more of an entrepreneur and would instead start your own creative business, in which case variety will be available to you.
Everyone goes through career and choice anxiety at times. Still, as a multi-passionate creative, the stress can skyrocket because you have so many interests, because you need variety and because you hate boredom. Your hunger for knowledge doesn't seem to help either. 'How can a job keep me interested for long?' is something clients ask me all the time.
I know how hard it can be to feel like you have to choose. But this is your lucky day. I'm here to tell you that you don't have to, at least not really. Yes, you have to pick something and get started, but that doesn't mean you have to stick with that one thing forever. You're free, remember.
Let's explore five tips to help you make your next career move as a creative generalist.
You can always change your mind later. You can always change career paths later, even if you make a decision now. It's not really about the career choice itself; it's more about what your career choice says about who you are as a person and how much passion you have for this path.
If nothing sparks your interest at all right now, then perhaps that means there might be something better suited to your personality? You don't need to force yourself into anything just yet! If possible, why not take some time off from making career decisions altogether? Maybe go travel or try out different things related to creative entrepreneurship first, which will help you figure out exactly where your passions lie before choosing any career path in particular. Or maybe do an online course on Etsy or Skillshare to try something new and see if you enjoy it.
1. It's not all about the money
Your career choice should never be about money. We all know that creative jobs are often lower-paying (at least at first) than business or office work, which is why many multi-passionate creatives are hesitant and hope they'll eventually "like" the regular job they hate... But there are other reasons to choose a specific career path beyond financial considerations. If you think your talents and skills can make an impact in one way or another, then perhaps it's worth giving it a shot! It doesn't matter whether you're making lots of money out of your passion right now; what matters is that you're being true to yourself and how valuable what you have to offer genuinely is (for whatever reason).
For instance, I remember struggling with how much to charge for my coaching services when I first started. The investment for working with me was lower than today's, but I was okay with that. I was learning, doing what I loved, and helping creatives get unstuck at the same time. If financial considerations had directed my decisions, I might not have become a coach at all because it meant I initially had to take a financial step back (which is often the case when we start something new).
Making the right career choice is never about choosing one career path over another because of its temporary benefits - it's all about which career choice fits who you are as a person and where your passion lies! So don't stress yourself out trying to find the perfect career path immediately; instead, focus on figuring out what makes you happy first before making any big decisions. It doesn't matter whether the money comes into play when deciding on creative entrepreneurship projects, at least not initially or not always; what matters is that you allow yourself to explore your full potential by doing what you love.
2. You don't need to find that one unique and perfect job
Trying to find the perfect job will keep you stuck. Instead, it's better to think like an entrepreneur. The whole idea of business is to be flexible, pivot and change when needed, and adapt fast. Entrepreneurs know that they might have to change directions in mid-air, that they might have to rethink their business at some point, and they're okay with that.
I see so many clients struggle with career anxiety. They're constantly stressing themselves out by trying to find the perfect, most convenient job. My advice to them is always: to pick something and get started. When they do, they immediately gain clarity, usually about what they don't like :) But that's precisely the point. You cannot think yourself into the career or business of your dreams; you have to go out and try something!
3. Don't forget about entrepreneurship
As a multi-passionate creative, the stuff you're made of suits an entrepreneurial path almost perfectly! Your hunger for knowledge, your capacity to learn new things quickly, your flexibility, and how you connect dots. All of this makes you an ideal entrepreneur.
When I coach multi-passionate creatives, one of the first things they tell me is all the ideas they have for their own business. But the problem is that they never act on them. They tell me how much they want to do it but then don't take action for another year or so. My advice here again is simple: start something! Try out one of those ideas and see what happens :) I've never had a client regretting doing so!
4. Start already! With one thing! Please do it now!
Don't wait any longer. You cannot think yourself into a new career path; you have to go out and do it. So please do it now! Pick something from your long list of interests and ideas and run with it for a while, see where it takes you.
I know it's not easy; I know it can be stressful and cause a lot of anxiety. But if you stop trying to find the perfect career path and instead focus on figuring out what makes you happy first and trying some of those choices out, you'll be well on your way to a blissful and rewarding career!
If there's one tip I can give you that works, it's this: stop worrying and start doing. Now.
Do you feel stuck in your career?
I can help! My specialty is to help creatives and entrepreneurs create careers and businesses that they love. I've worked with over 100 clients, helping them find their passion, get clear on what they want to do next, build a plan of action to make it happen, and take the steps necessary to move forward. You don't have to stay where you are or settle for something less than what you want out of life. Let me show you how we can work together so that you can finally start living the life of your dreams!
If this sounds like something that resonates with you, then let's talk about working together. Click below to schedule your free session now!
10 Advantages of Being a Creative Generalist in a Specialist World
In general, people are encouraged to specialize. In a world where everything is specialized and compartmentalized, generalists often feel like the odd ones out. As a multi-passionate creative myself, I've lived through the agony and pressure of a world that wanted me to 'find one thing and stick to it.' It took me a long time to figure out I could never live up to the specialist expectation because that's not who I am.
Like other creative generalists, I need variety, a sense of purpose, a mix of interests and passions to keep me going. I have to be able to learn something new (almost) all the time, and my attention does move from one thing to another faster than I can take a breath sometimes. For the most significant part of my life, I thought this was a problem. Until I realized it was my strength.
In this article, we'll discuss the advantages of being a generalist or multi-passionate creative in an increasingly specialist world and how what might look like weaknesses on the surface are your superpowers.
It's a great time to be a creative generalist
“If you're creative generalist, it's a great time to be alive.” - David Epstein.
In his book Range: How Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, David Epstein documents how generalists are more necessary than before today, in an era that demands more and more specialization. Creatives who have mastered multiple skills can now leverage these abilities in ways like never before, generating new opportunities for themselves and their clients. It's a brave new world for creative generalists - but we've never had it so good!
To add some weight to this point, here are 10 advantages of being a creative generalist in a specialized world today:
#1 Innovation
Creative generalists can be more innovative and creative than their specialized peers because they have a more comprehensive range of interests and skills to bring together. They are great at connecting seemingly wholly different pieces of information and pull from a wide variety of life and career experiences.#2 Curiosity and adventure
Creative generalists are often more curious and adventurous than other types of people because they're used to exploring uncharted territory, with thicker skin for failure and a capacity to be a beginner over and over again. This gives them (us) a competitive advantage in many technological and business fields today that require finding new ways to approach problems or the market.#3 Employability
Multi-passionate creatives (aka creative generalists) can work in multiple fields thanks to their incredible hunger for knowledge and wide range of interests, translating into broader employment opportunities. The term "creative generalist" has even become a category on job sites now. Companies are looking for you at this very moment!#4 Leadership
Creative generalists make better leaders because they can see things from multiple angles. Because of their natural curiosity, they have an easier time stepping into someone else's shoes and understanding all stakeholders' needs involved in a project or team.#5 Building bridges
Creative generalists can work across disciplines and have a general understanding of the workings of different industries because they're interested in so many things. As a result, they're great bridge builders who bring together people and ideas who would probably never meet if it wasn't for them.#6 Problem solving
Multi-passionate creatives can draw from past experiences when solving problems or facing challenges in new circumstances. Because they have such an active, dot-connecting mind, they love challenges, which makes them my favorite type of natural problem solvers. They're more challenge seekers than problem solvers. To them, everything is possible, they need to figure out how to do it, and that's what drives them.#7 Diplomacy
Creative generalists may be more adept at navigating ambiguous situations than specialists because they're used to seeing things through many lenses. With a natural inclination to try and understand people, conditions, and contexts, creative generalists tend to find some truth in pretty much everything. It might not be the best position when you need to take a firm stance on something, but it sure makes you a hell of a diplomat at the dinner table or in the meeting room.#8 Adaptability to change
Creative generalists are more easily adaptable to change than specialists and have a bigger capacity for resilience. Because they're used to juggling multiple jobs or interests simultaneously, switching between things doesn't require as much effort to them as to someone who's only focused on one thing. That's not to say that all creative generalists bend like leaves in the wind, but we do tend to adapt quickly to new environments, ideas, and people.#9 Fast learners
Creative generalists might not go in-depth into one specific area, but that might just be the advantage they need to be better able to see the long game, which can help their career prospects in a world that changes rapidly. Research shows that creative generalists learn faster and remember things longer because they switch between interests and return to them more often, instead of focusing on one thing for too long.#10 A badge of honor
Creative generalism is not a dirty word anymore - in fact, it's seen as more of an asset than ever before. Be proud to wear it!
There are many other advantages to being a creative generalist, and in an increasingly specialist world, they outweigh any drawbacks that may exist more and more. If you have multiple interests or passions but feel like your options are limited - don't despair.
Every day there are more ways (and reasons) creative generalists can thrive in a specialist world. Whether you're generalizing for your professional life or personal hobbies, there is a world of opportunities waiting for you out there - so get creative!
Do you feel like your interests are all over the place?
You're not alone. Many people have a hard time figuring out how to make their many interests work together. It can be frustrating and confusing. I help creative generalists figure out what they want to do with their lives and then get them on the path towards making it happen.
If you're ready for a change but don't know where to start, I can help you find clarity so that you can move forward confidently and successfully toward your goals. Let me guide you through my unique 5-step process so that you can create the career or business of your dreams!
The Imposter Syndrome: Perhaps it's About Authenticity, not Accomplishments
Do you ever feel like a fraud? Not so much because you think someone will find out that you're not skilled or capable enough to do the job, but instead because you don't want to be there. Is your impostor complex the result of a lack of fire, inspiration, or passion for the job or career you have more than a reflection of your perceived lack of accomplishments?
If this sounds familiar, I've got news for you. Your imposter feelings might result from a sense of inauthenticity you experience when others reflect your life to you and have nothing to do with a lack of self-worth.
This type of impostor syndrome is something I see many multi-passionate creatives struggle with in my coaching practice. Because variety is essential to them, and not enough of it quickly causes them to feel bored or uninspired, many mainstream jobs or careers can leave them feeling a bit icky, as if something's missing. When someone comments on how extraordinary their career or job is, for instance, they can't help but feel like they're not truthful - like they are frauds.
The problem is a lack of meaning
This feeling like a fraud may result from feeling uninspired to show up in their day-to-day life. Perhaps you're familiar with it. While there are a million things that would be more interesting to do than your current job, when people look at you, a job well done it's the only thing they see. On the other hand, you feel it's a job half-assed at best because there's just no soul or love put into it. And this is precisely the problem.
Multi-passionate creatives, or creative generalists, as I like to call us, need more than money and variety to be happy. Above all else, we need a sense of purpose in our lives.
Any lustrous, high-paying job that doesn't feed our soul is a recipe for disaster. And I'm not even talking about the brain-numbing, useless, low-paying jobs that keep many of us stuck.
It's not always about accomplishments
Don't get me wrong, impostor syndrome is a real and potentially dangerous thing for your career and dreams. Especially as women, we have this tendency not to feel good enough and question our abilities. And in many cases, as I wrote about here, it's our accomplishments we question.
As multi-passionate creatives, however, we add another level of complexity to an already tricky mindset puzzle: authenticity, a fundamental value for many of us and one that is inextricably tied to our sense of purpose.
When you add authenticity into the mix, feeling like an impostor is not just about accomplishments as a reflection of what you're capable of but also - and more profoundly - accomplishments as a reflection of who you are.
A multi-passionate creative imposter syndrome can happen when you are in a place where you don't feel comfortable. Regardless of how many successes you have or how much experience, if it's not the right fit for your personality style and skill set, that impostor syndrome is going to rear its ugly head.
Authenticity is a necessity
So perhaps we have it wrong when we think it's about our accolades and all that we've accomplished. Maybe that's not always what we feel like impostors about; perhaps it's because we know we don't belong or that we won't be able to keep the façade up for long enough to make it.
It's liberating to know that our imposter feelings don't come from a place of low self-esteem or not being good enough. Because they're coming from the opposite: they're telling us what we need to feel satisfied and happy. If there isn't an element of satisfaction, it's because we're not living in alignment with who we are.
If you feel like you're not where you want to be in life, it might be a sign that it's time to realign your life with who you are.
To us humans, authenticity is a necessity, not a choice. Without the space to be who we are, live up to our full potential, and express ourselves in our unique way, this lack will eventually manifest itself and force us into (often unhealthy) coping strategies. It's bad enough when this happens sometimes, but imagine the damage this can do when having to experience this in a job or career daily...
Your feelings are normal
When forced to accept situations that aren't aligned with who we are, especially for more extended periods, we find ways to deal with them as best as we can. This adaptability is a natural defense mechanism from our bodies and brains. Throughout history, it's done a fantastic job at helping us cope with the many adversities of life. However, in the present, where toxic stress runs amok, and our bodies or minds don't get to escape it like they used to, it can make us sick.
For some, the coping strategy might be to disconnect from themselves and their wants. For others, this might look like depression or mental health issues. Still, for others, it might be distractions, addictions, an inability to focus, inability to get any decent work done, or feeling like an impostor.
Perhaps it's not about what you're lacking but about dreaming bigger for yourself. You deserve a job or career that feels right and inspires you every day - a life where you wake up happy to be alive. Anyone who tells you otherwise is not a great advisor, and certainly not someone who knows what (multi-passionate) creatives and entrepreneurial minds need to thrive.
Don't let your unique gifts keep you stuck. Don't be afraid to admit you dread boredom and need a job or career that inspires you.
Don't be afraid to live your one big, authentic life!
Are you suffering from impostor syndrome?
I'm here to help you get unstuck. You know that feeling of not moving forward in your career or job because it doesn't feel right? That's the problem I help my clients solve.
It's time to start living your life, doing what you love, and making money from it too! Let me show you how my private coaching sessions are tailored specifically for multi-passionate and creative entrepreneurs looking for guidance on starting or growing their businesses.