Although multipotentialite is a modern term, the idea of someone with many passions is not new. Any student of history often hears mention of polymaths or Renaissance people. Multipotentialites have, indeed, existed as long as human societies.

While the strengths of multipotentialites are not always appreciated in post-industrial capitalist societies, there have been times throughout history when being well-versed in multiple disciplines was considered the ideal. And, of course, multipotentiality is highly valued in certain spaces, contexts and cultures today.

Multipotentialite challenges & superpowers

The way multipotentialites think, learn and create sometimes clashes with specialist norms. Multipotentialites often struggle with:

• Finding work that provides both enough variety and stability

• Productivity and focus issues, like balancing the need to explore with the need to make progress on multiple projects

• Challenges with mental health and confidence, such as imposter syndrome, answering the question So, what do you do? and dealing with family and friends who don’t understand.

These challenges don’t exist because multipotentialites are broken–they aren’t a result of failure. Instead, these difficulties arise from a lack of resources, a wide-spread misunderstanding of multipotentialites’ needs, and a devaluing of their unique strengths.

When multipotentialites are supported and encouraged to embrace their diverse skills and experiences, they’re able to tap into their super powers:

• Idea synthesis

• Rapid learning

• Adaptability

• Big picture thinking

• Relating to and translating between different types of people, “languages,” and modes of thought

The ability to draw from and integrate a range of diverse ideas makes multipotentialites particularly well-suited to solving complex, multifactorial problems. And, their unconventional backgrounds help them develop unique voices and contribute fresh perspectives wherever they go.

Multipotentialite are also called:

• Polymaths

• Renaissance People

• Scanners (coined by Barbara Sher)

• Generalists

• Multi-hyphenates

• Multi-passionates

Maybe you’ve heard of some of these folks?

Multipotentialites have been movers, shakers, and out-of-the-box thinkers since the dawn of time. Here are a few:

Maya Angelou, Gloria Steinem, Jackie O, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Hedy Lamarr, Eleanor Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Beatrice Webb, Beatrix Potter, Leonardo Da Vinci, Julia Child, Geena Davis, Cleopatra, Aristotle, Elizabeth I, Dorothy Dunnett, Hildegard of Bingen, Hypatia, René Descartes, Trotula of Salerno, Maria Gaetana Agnesi, Anna Maria van Schurman, Galileo Galilei, Queen Christina of Sweden, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Isaac Newton, Olympe de Gouges, Dr. Mae Jemison

Learn more

If you would like to learn more about multipotentialites or need help with a particular situation or question, be sure to check out Puttylike and the Puttyverse.

Looking for an astrologer who will cheerlead your many passions and give you insights into how to live your best multipotentialite life?