Saturday 22 August 2015

Are you another Multipotentialite?

I had a fab playday at the Festival of Quilts with my lovely friend Alison.
It's usually quieter on  Sunday and so we spent lots of time chatting to textile artists Frances Pickering (and husband Jim,) Hilary Beattie and Janet Clare, which was  lovely!  As usual though,  afterwards I was in awe of these marvelously focused  and talented ladies, and felt cross with myself, wondering why it is I can't settle to one discipline.

Then Charlotte introduced me to the concept of 'scanners' and lent me this book 'Refuse to Choose' by Barbara Sher. (Cue King Kong size lightbulb going on over  my head!)
 
 ''Multipotentialites ( scanners, Renaissance souls, polymaths) generally have diverse interests across numerous domains and may be capable of success in many endeavors or professions, they are confronted with unique decisions as a result of these choices.”
 
– Wiki Link

It seems like common sense when someone else explains it, but for the last 40 years or so I honestly though there was something wrong with me. I keep thinking I've found 'it',  learn /extract all I can/need to and then, I get bored, loose focus and  'ooh, look, shiny...' I've found the next wonderful all encompassing thing I want to do/learn about.

Naturally, I've become obsessed with finding out  everything I can about this! :)

I've discovered Emilie Wapnick and  Puttylike.  So fascinating and helpful too.  I know this concept applies to some of you, or possibly to  friends and family members, so do watch Emilie's  TED talk below, because I think you might find it interesting. x







10 comments:

Deb said...

Thank goodness it has a name! I can so relate, my tag line is that I have to be constantly amused so that's why I can never concentrate on one thing for more than a few days (or weeks, months, hours, minutes, seconds!) I call it my magpie syndrome, I'm constantly being attracted/distracted by the next bright shiny thing. Will have to go and watch the video and learn more, thanks for the insight Jules! Deb xo

Elizabeth Braun said...

Yup, that's absolutely me! In fact, I bought the 'Refuse to Choose' book whilst I was in Taiwan and had it sent to me there!!! =) Have you decided which type of 'scanner' you are yet? I'm a Sybil, more or less - cyclical scanner with mostly recurring interests.

My plan for the near future is to write Kindle based workbooks on Chinese grammar and usage, maybe have them translated into other base languages, whilst at the same time, developing designs and items for sale on Etsy (wedding ring cushions, tiny purses, miniatures for doll's houses etc). On the side, I plan to continue to study maths, science, music, viola (must get back to this!), art, lots of languages and so on. More will come up in time, I'm quite sure of that!!

Does anyone wonder that I let my blog go at times???

xx

Rachel said...

That kind of explains why my aunt says I collect Skills instead of china!

CC said...

Yup! That's me! In fact I have at least 8 or so huge binders full of the paths I've followed! At one time I was going to open a World Cultural Center so I'd have a place to put all of this info! And that's not including all my language and art binders! I had heard that I was a Renaissance person, but this is a great term! Thanks for sharing this! Good to know there's others like me out there! ♥

Tammie Lee said...

So glad you had a good time. Sounds like you and i have something in common. Over the past few years i have challenged myself to only do art (painting and drawing), poetry and nature photography. But this week it was embroidery ;-)
If i had stuck with any one of the billions of things i have done i would be so good at it. So i understand what you are saying.

I think it is fine, just the way we are. So accept, enjoy and keep on doing what thrills you/us.

sharonb said...

Jules Jerry and I just watched the TED talk and Jerry's reaction was "That described both of us" great link with food for thought at the end of it thanks

Anonymous said...

Sounds like me too! Glad that it's given you a bit of peace knowing that there's absolutely nothing wrong with being a polymath. :o)

Starr White said...

Wow. This describes me to a 't'. I love the positive spin she puts on it, because I have spent years feeling the same way you described - like there was something faulty in my nature that prevented me from sticking to just one thing. Hearing this is kind of a relief!

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Totally love this. I have to watch again.

Margaret S said...

Hi Jules, so glad that I watched this. I call myself a butterfly because I can't settle on any one technique, in fact one of my talks that I offer Embroiderers Guilds is entitled Magpie or Butterfly. Nice to know that it now has a name, trust the Americans! Good to meet up with you last weekend. Hopefully see you next year, keep on urban sketching.