Are you a multipotential person? Find out if you have these traits

What do you want to do for a living when you grow up? How many of us have been asked this question when we were little? Probably all of them, and lots of times too.

This innocent question, so many times asked by adults waiting for an answer (at least funny) from of the smallest, has been a cause of some concern and even anxiety in some people as they were fulfilling years. The reason? QThey did not have a single answer, and therefore, they did not have a true vocation. If this was your case, You may be a multipotential person and you don't know it.

The gift of being a multipotential person

Fortunately, things began to change in the same way that many situations: when new, more inclusive points of view appear capable of breaking myths exclusive.

And the arrival of the term multipotential person or multipotentialite was a before and after for those who discovered this concept and provided them with a interesting new point of view, but especially for those who identified with it. Because far from being a problem, defect or obstacle, being a multipotential person is really a gift.

What does it mean?

Those of us who since childhood have heard expressions such as "let's see if you focus on just one thing", "but what do you want to study?" or pearls like "you can't be two things at the same time" probably we were also called as "bad seat ass", indecisive, scattered... or directly branded as immature, when in fact they were with the capabilities of a person multipotential.

They are the type of people who have multiple diverse interests, both with related themes and completely unrelated, and they devote themselves to discovering and exploring them with great avidity. Because if there is something that multipotential people are passionate about, it is learning new things and each opportunity they have they face as a challenge.

Probably since we are girls we all have that particularity, but adults greatly restrict our possibilities from the moment that a path is marked as unique and valid, thereby conditioning our way of thinking and making it go through a single via.

What is the origin of the term multipotentialite?

The first time that what until then was considered a defect was treated as a virtue (except for the times of greatest cultural splendor in history, when curiously it was already seen as a quality) was Frederickson in 1972, saying that a multipotential person was one who, having the appropriate environments, is capable of from select and develop a series of competencies at a high level of training.

But thanks to Emilie Wapnick and her inspiring 2015 TED Talk when she integrated with her concept of a multipotential person (multipotentialite) the term that encompassed a whole group of people with such positive and special characteristics.

Using his own words “There is nothing strange about you (…) The reason why you cannot find your true vocation is that you actually have many vocations. All your sporadic obsessions and your weird interdisciplinary projects fit together now ”.

Characteristics of this type of person

If you wonder if you yourself are part of this talented group, here are some of the peculiarities that characterize a multipotential person.

Versatility

Thanks to your plurality of knowledge from very diverse topics They have the possibility of being part of very varied fields, something that can bring them a great variety in the leisure options for which they can choose as well as for the very different roles they can play labor.

Mental flexibility and adaptability

They have the great ability to change register without difficulty and with this to be able to attend areas of diverse nature with ease, which allows them to be adaptable to changes (something very necessary today due to the speed at which the things).

Innate curiosity

For every multipotential person being curious is an engine that will connect you with a possible new passionAnd if you discover something in it that appeals to you, it will be a challenge that will get you going.

Knowledge lovers

Explore, discover and know it's like a regular sequence that repeats itself frequently between multipotentials.

Ease of learning

Linked to his curiosity is the passion for learning, which usually leads these types of people to develop a new facet of themselves; every learning is a challenge.

Skillful connecting ideas

They have the quality (and advantage) of being capable of associating seemingly unrelated concepts.

Breadth of sights

By accepting its plurality as something that grow your own worldviewThey tend to have the ability to look at events from very different points of view.

The gift of the most complete entrepreneurs and professionals

At this point you may have discovered that you are a multipotential person. In this case, you may wonder how this fact can affect professionally: Well, very positively, because you can turn your passions into your way of life. How? Differentiating yourself from others with that unique profile that is born from the sum of your various interests.

Since we have been breaking down the characteristics of multipotentials, you should know that They can be a plus and provide differential value at the work level regarding those who are not.

For example, the versatility that all multipotential people present to assume different positions and functions will give you will allow you to be seen as a versatile employee who can adapt to the changing situations of a work environment adverse. And with respect to entrepreneurs, that same ubiquity allows them to have the integrative vision that is needed to assume the role of CEO of a project.

On the other hand, the avidity for knowledge can be a guarantee of having constantly updated staff, and in terms of that proactive towards discovering new interests Making it available to entrepreneurs will allow you to expand into other areas.

Regarding the ability to connect ideas of every multipotential person, both in a role As in the other, it offers a great advantage: the search for creative solutions to face the problems.

Some examples of famous multipotentials

That throughout the history of mankind until today there has not been a label with which to designate Anyone who identifies with the characteristics of a multipotential person does not mean that they have not existed. In fact, quite the opposite, since we find examples of famous people who would fit into this profile since time immemorial.

Hypatia of Alexandria, Leonardo Da Vinci, Eleanor Roosevelt or Benjamin Franklin are some of the historical figures whose special talents made them famous people that continue to be admired to this day. Or more recent references like Steve Jobs, Timothy Ferriss (author of "The Four Hour Workweek") and even the popular presenter Oprah Winfrey.

What if I am not?

Well, absolutely nothing! If in your case you are a person with a declared desire for a certain topic, with a real interest in knowing more about it and you dedicate your time with passion, you are a specialist. And the ideal combination for collaborative environments is to have a multipotential person and a specialist (or several).

Emilie Wapnick had a phrase that she used as a leitmotiv of the most inspiring: explore the intersections. And with this he proposed a challenge to all of us who identified with a multipotential person: find the connections that could exist between our interests to discover which is the common thread with which to interweave them effectively.

And for those who have always been clear about their real vocation and have delved into that field with true passion, keep it up! Thanks to you there are great specialists in all areas.

For that reason, be clear about one thing: Whether you are a multipotential person or a specialist, keep doing what you do best, because it will be what you can leave your mark on. Whatever you are... The world needs you!