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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
A fantastic starting point for anyone trying to balance multiple interests.
Keep jumping between careers? Have multiple interests and hobbies you would love to make a living at? Look up Emilie Wapnick's TED talk. If that speaks to you then this book is worth reading.
The idea of the multipotentialite is that some people function better when they are able to explore more than one interest instead of specializing in a general field. If you're like me and this was getting discouraging and confusing then this book can help clarify a lot.
That said, this isn't a magic bullet. There are a number of exercises here and the only way to really get the true worth of this book is to do them.
While I can't say this book magically transformed my life (I'll edit this later if it turns out it did) I can say that it really helped clarify a lot of what I want in life and how to go about fixing the areas that aren't working for me. A fantastic first step into making my life more fulfilling and interesting. It may not give you all the answers, but it's better than most books at helping you find them for yourself.
Keep jumping between careers? Have multiple interests and hobbies you would love to make a living at? Look up Emilie Wapnick's TED talk. If that speaks to you then this book is worth reading.
The idea of the multipotentialite is that some people function better when they are able to explore more than one interest instead of specializing in a general field. If you're like me and this was getting discouraging and confusing then this book can help clarify a lot.
That said, this isn't a magic bullet. There are a number of exercises here and the only way to really get the true worth of this book is to do them.
While I can't say this book magically transformed my life (I'll edit this later if it turns out it did) I can say that it really helped clarify a lot of what I want in life and how to go about fixing the areas that aren't working for me. A fantastic first step into making my life more fulfilling and interesting. It may not give you all the answers, but it's better than most books at helping you find them for yourself.
Many of the ideas felt like they applied directly to me, and it was great for exploring some different ways to explore my life. I didn't love the idea of labeling as if this was some sort of club, and I think it would have work better for me if it didn't revolve around the label, but if it was more presented as "here are some people who might be like you and how they have approached their desires and goals."
i learned a lot about myself. or rather, gained more vocabulary for expressing myself.
A couple years ago I stumbled across Emilie Wapnick's TED talk -- "Why some of us don't have one true calling" -- and I felt like I'd found a soul mate. In that presentation, Wapnick talks about how she had a life-long pattern of getting very deep into a subject and then eventually losing interest. Repeatedly. She thought there was something wrong with her.
I've gone through the same struggle in my life and felt as if there was something wrong with me. I bounced from the Marines to hospital work to college/graduate school, teaching, retail management, marketing, library work, massage therapy, et. al. Luckily for me, I had a father who was interested in a variety of things who modeled taking the time to pursue those interests, so I didn't feel like a complete alien. I can still hear my dad and his sister, one of my favorite aunts, laughing about how they hadn't figured out what they wanted to be when they grew up. They were in their 40s then. However, both my dad and my aunt were gainfully employed and I, back then, sometimes worried about my ability to support myself.
In 2007 I took Tom Rath's Strength Finder test and my top strength was learning, which, according to his definition, means I'm more interested in the process of learning than in outcomes. No surprise there. That helped me feel better about my jumping around on the career stage. I've also come to see how skills gained at one job or area of interest have helped me in subsequent jobs or interests.
However, it was seeing Wapnick's TED Talk that helped me let go of my worries and actually embrace the fact that I don't have one true calling when it comes to career. All that I've done thus far has been awesome--it's fed my soul (well, not everything did that), advanced my knowledge and skills, and helped me make great connections with people. She gave me the freedom to let go of some of the shame I'd been carrying around about not completing programs, staying in jobs for way too long, and interests that I once proclaimed were IT that fizzled out.
I jumped at the chance to review Wapnick's new book, How to Be Everything: A Guide For Those Who (Still) Don't Know What They Want To Be When They Grow Up, for TLC Book Tours and now available from HarperOne.
The book has three parts:
Part I: Everything? Welcome to the Tribe. This section is all about giving consolation and encouragement to world-weary multipotentialites, Emilie's word for those who have multiple interests and creative pursuits. There's nothing wrong with you! She goes over the strengths of being a multipotentialite and offers advice on how to live a happy life balancing money, meaning, and variety.
Part II: The Four Multipotentialite Work Models. Different Strokes for Different Folks. Wapnick has found that there are four major ways multipotentialites work and offers strategies on how to figure out what your style is and how to best work it/them. Fascinating perspectives that will give you insight into yourself and how you might work most effectively.
Part III: Common Multipotentialite Stumbling Blocks. Slaying Your Dragons. This section was the most interesting to me because it's where I am now. I'm working on my personal productivity system, embracing all the things that make me unique, and gaining confidence in my choices. Wapnick offers advice on how to talk with people in various contexts about your multipotentialite life. This section is helpful for me and I think it would be INCREDIBLY helpful for younger folks just starting out on their journey or those who are embracing their various passions for the first time, no matter what their age.
Wapnick's ideas as presented in her TED Talk were a big part of my decision last year to jump into entrepreneurship with my wife Laura. She's a personal coach and we're taking her in-person workshops and transitioning them into online classes. My love of learning, teaching experience, customer service skills, and marketing background, among other things, are all coming into play. It's been a fun and challenging year and Wapnick's book is full of hope and helpful tips for the work I'm doing with our business and my own projects. All of Wapnick's advice is geared toward helping multipotentialites enjoy the work they're doing and the life they're living. This is a book I'll read again and dip into here and there for reminders.
Graduation season is here and this would be a great gift for the high school or college graduate in your life. I wish I'd had a book like this when I was in my 20s. It would've saved me from a lot of worry, self-flagellation, and sticking around in programs/jobs for too long. The way our business world is changing--relying on and rewarding people who are adaptable and well-versed in a variety of fields--this could be a success manual for those who aren't satisfied being specialists in one field.
This review originally posted on my blog at http://www.wildmoobooks.com/2017/05/what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up.html
I've gone through the same struggle in my life and felt as if there was something wrong with me. I bounced from the Marines to hospital work to college/graduate school, teaching, retail management, marketing, library work, massage therapy, et. al. Luckily for me, I had a father who was interested in a variety of things who modeled taking the time to pursue those interests, so I didn't feel like a complete alien. I can still hear my dad and his sister, one of my favorite aunts, laughing about how they hadn't figured out what they wanted to be when they grew up. They were in their 40s then. However, both my dad and my aunt were gainfully employed and I, back then, sometimes worried about my ability to support myself.
In 2007 I took Tom Rath's Strength Finder test and my top strength was learning, which, according to his definition, means I'm more interested in the process of learning than in outcomes. No surprise there. That helped me feel better about my jumping around on the career stage. I've also come to see how skills gained at one job or area of interest have helped me in subsequent jobs or interests.
However, it was seeing Wapnick's TED Talk that helped me let go of my worries and actually embrace the fact that I don't have one true calling when it comes to career. All that I've done thus far has been awesome--it's fed my soul (well, not everything did that), advanced my knowledge and skills, and helped me make great connections with people. She gave me the freedom to let go of some of the shame I'd been carrying around about not completing programs, staying in jobs for way too long, and interests that I once proclaimed were IT that fizzled out.
I jumped at the chance to review Wapnick's new book, How to Be Everything: A Guide For Those Who (Still) Don't Know What They Want To Be When They Grow Up, for TLC Book Tours and now available from HarperOne.
The book has three parts:
Part I: Everything? Welcome to the Tribe. This section is all about giving consolation and encouragement to world-weary multipotentialites, Emilie's word for those who have multiple interests and creative pursuits. There's nothing wrong with you! She goes over the strengths of being a multipotentialite and offers advice on how to live a happy life balancing money, meaning, and variety.
Part II: The Four Multipotentialite Work Models. Different Strokes for Different Folks. Wapnick has found that there are four major ways multipotentialites work and offers strategies on how to figure out what your style is and how to best work it/them. Fascinating perspectives that will give you insight into yourself and how you might work most effectively.
Part III: Common Multipotentialite Stumbling Blocks. Slaying Your Dragons. This section was the most interesting to me because it's where I am now. I'm working on my personal productivity system, embracing all the things that make me unique, and gaining confidence in my choices. Wapnick offers advice on how to talk with people in various contexts about your multipotentialite life. This section is helpful for me and I think it would be INCREDIBLY helpful for younger folks just starting out on their journey or those who are embracing their various passions for the first time, no matter what their age.
Wapnick's ideas as presented in her TED Talk were a big part of my decision last year to jump into entrepreneurship with my wife Laura. She's a personal coach and we're taking her in-person workshops and transitioning them into online classes. My love of learning, teaching experience, customer service skills, and marketing background, among other things, are all coming into play. It's been a fun and challenging year and Wapnick's book is full of hope and helpful tips for the work I'm doing with our business and my own projects. All of Wapnick's advice is geared toward helping multipotentialites enjoy the work they're doing and the life they're living. This is a book I'll read again and dip into here and there for reminders.
Graduation season is here and this would be a great gift for the high school or college graduate in your life. I wish I'd had a book like this when I was in my 20s. It would've saved me from a lot of worry, self-flagellation, and sticking around in programs/jobs for too long. The way our business world is changing--relying on and rewarding people who are adaptable and well-versed in a variety of fields--this could be a success manual for those who aren't satisfied being specialists in one field.
This review originally posted on my blog at http://www.wildmoobooks.com/2017/05/what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up.html
Perfect for anyone looking to capitalize their time on hobbies and multiple passions.
So I spent a long time reading this book because I had so much to do this summer. But this book definitely got me interested in non-fiction geared towards career planning and how to use your university experience.
Honestly it’s 2017. Read this. I would recommend high school students who don’t know what they want to do in life (is there really just one career path?) to read this. I like the way the author uses her personal experience to outline the multiple needs we have in a career and certain expectations. Also most of the “exercises” or whatever you want to call them are of great use.
I do feel that if applied correctly, people can expand their skill set from reading this. Hope y’all enjoy. :D
Honestly it’s 2017. Read this. I would recommend high school students who don’t know what they want to do in life (is there really just one career path?) to read this. I like the way the author uses her personal experience to outline the multiple needs we have in a career and certain expectations. Also most of the “exercises” or whatever you want to call them are of great use.
I do feel that if applied correctly, people can expand their skill set from reading this. Hope y’all enjoy. :D
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Such an inspiring book for multi passionate people
Not worth your time, but it might be, since it only took about 2 hours to read.
After reading Wapnick's TED article, I felt compelled to read her full-length work. Sadly, it turns out there was actually no more substance than that original article. The content is thin and unoriginal, although it probably resonates well with the groups who push for more trigger warnings. When she quoted a "Fast Company" article, I knew it was over.
This is what happens when we teach people only how to write 500 word articles and then they try to write a book.
After reading Wapnick's TED article, I felt compelled to read her full-length work. Sadly, it turns out there was actually no more substance than that original article. The content is thin and unoriginal, although it probably resonates well with the groups who push for more trigger warnings. When she quoted a "Fast Company" article, I knew it was over.
This is what happens when we teach people only how to write 500 word articles and then they try to write a book.
How to Be Everything came along at a fitting time for me. Like some of the other books I’ve read recently, it resonated with where I’m at in life. As a self-described aspiring polymath, I found myself nodding along to Emilie Wapnick’s insights about “multipotentialites.” Learning there’s a term for people like me, who thrive on shifting interests, was refreshing. Wapnick’s encouragement to “feature your weird” hit close to home. It was reassuring to see my wide-ranging interests framed as something positive rather than something to downplay.
Beyond that, Wapnick’s practical advice felt particularly useful. Her “litmus test” approach, where you share your interests freely to gauge authentic connections, gave me a fresh way to think about relationships. I’ve often held back from sharing my broader interests out of worry they’d seem “odd.” This book didn’t radically change my outlook, but it added a layer of validation and encouragement that felt timely and relevant to my own self-exploration. For anyone balancing multiple passions, How to Be Everything offers thoughtful insights and perspectives along with some helpful tools and strategies for navigating life as a multipotentialite.
Beyond that, Wapnick’s practical advice felt particularly useful. Her “litmus test” approach, where you share your interests freely to gauge authentic connections, gave me a fresh way to think about relationships. I’ve often held back from sharing my broader interests out of worry they’d seem “odd.” This book didn’t radically change my outlook, but it added a layer of validation and encouragement that felt timely and relevant to my own self-exploration. For anyone balancing multiple passions, How to Be Everything offers thoughtful insights and perspectives along with some helpful tools and strategies for navigating life as a multipotentialite.
A Mind Expander
I couldn’t tell you why I picked up this book. I certainly passed on it the first few times I saw it, but so kept coming back to it. I finally got it and...mind blown. I had never heard the world “multipotentialite” before but as soon as she defined it I knew that she was talking about me. The closest I had ever come to defining my skills and interests before was to label myself a generalist. This book has helped me figure out exactly (almost) what I am and how to make some plans to dive into all of the varied and unrelated things I always want to do.
For a long time I bought into the silly notion that the world was right. You have to find one thing and stick with it and pay your bills with THAT THING. But it never really, really made sense to me and after reading this book I know that I am not alone in thinking this. I’m glad I finally picked it up. It’s a great beginning guide to helping you reach (all of) your potential(s).
I couldn’t tell you why I picked up this book. I certainly passed on it the first few times I saw it, but so kept coming back to it. I finally got it and...mind blown. I had never heard the world “multipotentialite” before but as soon as she defined it I knew that she was talking about me. The closest I had ever come to defining my skills and interests before was to label myself a generalist. This book has helped me figure out exactly (almost) what I am and how to make some plans to dive into all of the varied and unrelated things I always want to do.
For a long time I bought into the silly notion that the world was right. You have to find one thing and stick with it and pay your bills with THAT THING. But it never really, really made sense to me and after reading this book I know that I am not alone in thinking this. I’m glad I finally picked it up. It’s a great beginning guide to helping you reach (all of) your potential(s).