Why Being Diverse is Perfect for This Time
Embrace curiosity to live a full and empowering life
It is beneficial to know what career you want and have a plan to get there.
Likewise, it’s acceptable to deviate and step outside of a monotonous routine to expand on your interests.
If you’re like me, you may not have a “typical” resume because you have tried many things.
Even if you are not like me, you have likely done various hobbies in your lifetime; some hobbies for money and some solely for fun, and the best things for both.
Many of the side interests I’ve done have failed, and many have worked by traditional standards.
In my eyes, they have all been successful because of the confidence and experience I gained. Some hustles came naturally.
Other side hustles taking honorable mention included:
- selling insurance
- meal-prepping
- creating and selling watches
- dog walking
- outdoor apparel
- gadget selling
- and cashier (aka the time I was fired).
The Lie
Here’s the thing: It’s a lie that you must and can only do one thing in your lifetime.
Society has planted the idea that it is scary and must mean you are going through a crisis if you change careers. Similarly, it can be frowned upon earning extra money doing something not related.
God forbid you are open to creative possibilities for making money. Uber and Lyft have made it so people can work their day job while earning money elsewhere.
Which leads me back to the connection with LinkedIn. This week, I tried to update my “headline,” and it hit me like a brick wall: I am not living a life that fits into a neat little 100-word limit box.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand the importance of being an “expert” in something and focusing. But for the love of all things holy, don’t put me in a box. It has never worked.
And here is where we get to the core.
Since when do we have to be known for only one thing?
What I know for sure: I don’t want to be the kind of person or live the kind of life that fits into a neat little box limited to a certain number of characters.
No one ever said you could only do one thing. You are only limited by your own imagination. And guess what? You are a multi-faceted, infinite being who likely cares about many things.
Society loves to categorize us, to put us in a box and politely tell us to stay there, and then shame us if we decide to step outside the box or beat the walls to hell.
The thing is, it’s good to have a focus. And it’s great to be known for something. I just hope that you’re not limiting yourself out of fear.
I hope your motivation for not trying something is not “Oh, that’s just not what I do,” when in your deepest heart of hearts, that’s what you know is meant for you.
The people who are also trying new things, the people who you want to be like, they’re never going to judge you. The scared people, who wish they could do new things, those are the haters.
But you never wanted to be like them anyway, right?
Take-Home
My wish for myself is that I continue to pursue those things that excite me, wholeheartedly, and with fire blazing.
My desire for myself is that I never allow the fear of judgment from other, less imaginative, less passionate people to hold me back.
I hope that this is your wish for yourself too. Because now more than ever, the world needs you to step into the fullness of who you are.
Now more than ever, DON’T HOLD BACK. Work a day job, be a full-time artist, be a personal trainer and teacher; be a chef or cook, and teach yoga or karate.
Whatever your interests, make them a reality.
So, in the meantime, my LinkedIn headline is vague, but I don’t really care.
If you’re judging me on my headline, then you’re not a big thinker, and frankly, we’re not a good match.
I’m living my life for my “about” section, and that’s evolving and growing by the minute.
Thanks for reading. Let’s connect please follow me here.
