On My Mind

Balancing Work with the Things You Love

Society often tells us we should pick one thing—one career, one passion—and stick with it. But if you’re someone who, like me, thrives on variety, whose interests change and evolve over time, that can feel pretty limiting. And why should you have to choose? The good news is, you don’t have to.

If you’re a multi-passionate person (or multipotentialite), you’ve probably wondered “how can I cultivate a career that not only supports my interests but actually fuels them?”

The thing I’m just learning is that your career doesn’t need to fit neatly into a box. It can be dynamic, creative, and flexible—just like you. You can find ways to incorporate many of your diverse skills into your job, and if you really, really, can’t – there are ways around that too.

Here are some ways you can start building a career that keeps you excited, fulfilled, and curious—all while living life on your terms.

1. Recognise that “One Thing” Is Not for You

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by the advice to “pick one career and stick with it,” you’re not alone. For multipotential people, the idea of narrowing down your focus to just one thing can feel like a huge waste of all your talents and passions, not to mention incredibly stressful and scary.

You don’t have to choose one path. Whether it’s your love of writing, technology, cooking, or community-building—there’s room for all of these passions in your career. You can (and should) pursue whatever lights you up, even if it’s more than one thing. The first step to being able to do that is to recognise that you are a little out of the norm and you aren’t going to be one of those people who has a single career or a straightforward progression trajectory.

2. Identify Your Core Strengths and Interests

Take a step back and really think about what excites you. When are you so immersed in an activity that you lose track of time? What are you naturally good at? What excites you when you think about doing it? These are your passions, and they hold the key to creating a career you’ll love.

To get clarity, start by listing your top passions. This could be anything from creative pursuits like writing or art, to intellectual interests like psychology or problem-solving. Once you have your list, look for patterns. Do you enjoy working with people? Are you drawn to creative expression? Identify the common threads that link your passions, as they’ll help you decide how to integrate them into your professional life.

3. Build a Flexible Career Roadmap

Unlike traditional career paths where the goal is to climb a specific ladder, the beauty of multipotentiality is that you can create your own roadmap. This means there’s no “one right way” to build your career—you can explore, pivot, and mix things up as you go.

You might want to explore hybrid roles that combine your passions. For example:

• A marketing manager with a love for photography could integrate creative visual work into the role.
• A writer who also loves travel could start a travel blog or contribute to online publications.
• Someone with a background in technology and design might work in a creative agency where tech and art intersect.

The point is, you don’t need to follow a traditional career path. You can create a roadmap that works for you and embrace the flexibility to change course when you need to.

4. Find Ways to Integrate Your Passions into Your Current Job

Not everyone is ready to make a huge leap and change careers, and that’s okay. I know I’m certainly not. If you’re working in a role that doesn’t tick all your boxes, but you need it for whatever reason, try to find ways to incorporate your passions into your current job. This could mean proposing a new project, taking on side initiatives, or simply bringing more of yourself into your work.

Here are a few ideas:

• Take on a creative project or task that aligns with your interests (e.g., organizing a company event if you love planning, or creating content if you enjoy writing).
• Pitch the idea of working on something new, like starting a blog for your company or managing its social media presence.
• Look for ways to bring your personal passions into the work environment. If you love travel, can you lead a team-building trip or offer insights about travel-related products or services?

5. Network with Like-Minded People

Finding a community of multipassionate individuals can be incredibly powerful. Surrounding yourself with people who get it—people who understand that you don’t have to fit into one mold—can inspire you, provide new ideas, and help you stay motivated.

Seek out online communities or local groups where like-minded multipotentialites gather. Attend meetups, virtual workshops, and conferences. The more people you connect with who share your values and interests, the more opportunities will arise.

Plus, you might discover a new collaboration, business idea, or partnership along the way. The possibilities are endless when you network with people who understand your journey.

6. Embrace the Journey and Be Open to Change

One of the most important things you can do as a multipotentialite is to embrace the idea that your career path doesn’t have to be fixed. It can evolve, shift, and grow with you. You’re allowed to change your mind, try new things, and redefine what success means to you.

Stay curious, keep learning, and allow your career to flow as your interests evolve. A key part of being a multipotentialite is giving yourself permission to explore new passions. As you grow, so will your work.

Final Thoughts: 

Building a career that fuels your passions isn’t about finding one perfect job or following a predefined path. It’s about crafting a life where your varied interests are not only embraced but celebrated. By staying true to yourself, exploring new opportunities, and staying open to change, you can build a career that excites you every single day.

So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and embrace your multi-passionate self—you’ve got this.