4 Things to Know as a Multipassionate Human

A few weeks ago I got a tattoo of an ampersand, yes the cute little &. It has been something on my mind for a while, the advantage of “and.”

A few years ago I was told that I have a huge weakness, that I had too many things I did. I had too many things on my plate. I wasn’t using my brain in the right way because I was focused on too many things. I was making a mistake by not going all in on one sole purpose that was building a business.

I started to buy into this lie, asking myself…

“Wait, maybe I am making a mistake loving reading fiction instead of solely focusing on growing my professional skills”

“Wait, maybe I shouldn’t pursue time with my new friends so I can finalize this work project.”

“Wait, maybe I shouldn’t be trying our a new hobby when I should just use that time writing more copy for my business”

“Wait, maybe I shouldn’t watch this TV show so I can listen to podcasts about scaling my business”

I thought I was the problem, I was doing life wrong by doing the things I loved at the cost of growing my business. And I almost bought it because this advice was coming from someone I trusted.

Thankfully some friends and family members reminded me that my multi-passionate personality is what makes me not only joyful but allows me to serve in my job, business, and relationships at a deeper level.

I realized that I had the advantage of AND. That I could proclaim that…

I am an educator and fiction reader.
I am a business owner and a lover of my “grandma hobbies” like bread making and embroidery.
I am a mother and a half-marathoner.
I am a wife and a writer.
I am a leader and a womens’ sports fanatic.

And my multi-passionate life is what makes me perform at my best. If you are looking for proof in the pudding, my busiest personal year in 2024 was our businesses best year for revenue since 2020. This revelation was so profound that I got a permanent reminder on my wrist to lean into the advantage of AND.

So, if you are someone who has many passions and wants to really believe and trust that this is a GOOD thing I have a few points to convince you and help you capitalize on your passions!

4 THINGS TO KNOW AS A MULTIPASSIONATE HUMAN

1️⃣The Myth of “One Thing at a Time”

I was once told by a boss that if I wasn’t thinking about work all day including when I am bathing my children, I was not doing my job right. Major ICK, right?

Someone else on the G&G team got told by a boss that they wouldn’t be stressed out at work if they weren’t running so much? The AUDACITY!

The thought that you can only focus on ONE THING and do it well is absolutely outlandish to me, even though I bought into that lie for a little too long. Humans are meant to be multi-passionate. We are meant to have different aspects of our lives to dive in and out of.

This doesn’t just include business (because remember we are humans first and business owners probably like 7th on the list).

You probably have many things that bring you joy. Something as simple as a Pumpkin Cold Foam Cold Brew in September or something more profound like practicing piano to reconnect with your soul daily.

Focusing on more than one thing at a time in the microsense is probably counterproductive. Like if you are hosting a webinar, while watching your three kids, while also baking a loaf of focaccia and doing a load of laundry. Probably not your best move.

But focusing on more than one thing when you zoom out a bit like on a daily level allows you to tap into different parts of your brain, make new connections and just freaking enjoy life.

Your day might include hours of head down work, a quick 30 minute chat with a friend/colleague, a tech free lunch, a walk with your puppy, listening to an audiobook, taking an Orange Theory class , working on some launch copy and going to a community event in the evening.

Instead of spending 10-12-14 hours head down on one thing, you could be seeing new things, appreciating others ideas, and expediting your creativity by breaking up your day with your passions.

As an educator for almost 15 years, one core tenant of educational theory is interdisciplinary studies and cross-curricular collaboration. As a teacher I was actually evaluated on my ability to proficiently allow opportunities for students to explore the topics of my curriculum and relate them to other areas of learning. Like how teaching gardening needs to incorporate ideas from math and science, for example.

The same goes for your brain – when you have multiple passions, ideas, or areas of interest you are able to make more connections which makes you more creative and collaborative!

So next time you step away from your desk to crack open a fiction novel, go on a long run, play pickleball with friends, or take an art class, know that you are helping your business NOT hurting it!

2️⃣The Hidden Strengths of Multi-Passionate People

Multi-passionate people have super powers. Now, I am not saying every multi-passionate person is neurodivergent, but I do believe they are capable of neurodivergent thinking. That is because we all take in and process information differently.

People who are able to spread their thinking to multiple areas have the ability to do three main things that are strengths in the workplace:

• Multitasking

First up is multitasking.

Yes, I know some of you are cringing at the thought of multi-tasking being a strength when the world says it isn’t. This also makes me think you have never seen my mom host an event like Thanksgiving Dinner.

Don’t take my word for it. A research study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology stated that “when multitasking, you’re stimulating multiple parts of the brain and it activates more resources, including energy, to meet those increased demands.”

That’s right, your BODY will help you multitask! This research study found that people who were asked to multitask ended up being more creative later in the day than those who did one task at a time!

• Problem solving

Multi-passionate people are great problem solvers. They are able to come up with new innovative solutions because their brain has more content to make connections.

I just recently finished the book “Wool” by Hugh Howey that inspired the AppleTV show The Silo. (SPOILER ALERT) You follow along Jules as she navigates life in a Silo that is underground. What you don’t find out until later in the book is that there are dozens of Silos and they aren’t allowed to communicate. They are left alone to struggle and survive.

Now, I haven’t finished the series but can already see some collaboration happening that is increasing the problem solving abilities of the people in the silo like communication through radios that was previously illegal.

That is a far-fetched dystopian novel, but gives you an insight to how working on one thing alone can make you feel like you are in a creative silo. That is why having multipassions can help you problem solve by connecting new ideas and interests.

If you are asked to solve a problem in your business that you have never seen before, it is hard (and sucks). But, if you are able to bring ideas from your other passions you might just be able to find a creative solution that you wouldn’t have found if you were actively involved in other pursuits.

• Adaptability

Multi-passionate people don’t just survive change, they thrive in it. I freaking LOVE changing things up, trying new things in business and taking action on new ideas. Just today I watched a webinar, took notes, and sent it out to two separate groups on how they can use it in their very different fields.

When you have experience across different industries, hobbies, or fields, you develop a kind of mental agility that allows you to pivot quickly and see opportunities where others see obstacles.

Think about it like this: ever notice how people who have moved a lot growing up tend to make friends easily? They’ve learned to adapt, read the room, and find common ground fast. The same applies to multi-passionate folks in business and life. Your diverse experiences become a toolkit for handling uncertainty, sparking fresh ideas, and tackling challenges with a unique perspective.

So, the next time someone tells you to "just pick one thing," remind them that the ability to pivot isn’t just useful, it’s your superpower.

3️⃣Avoiding Burnout While Juggling Many Roles

As someone who is multi-passionate with a full-time job, part-time business, multiple hobbies and a family to manage it can feel like a lot at times.

That’s why the key isn’t trying to balance everything perfectly all the time, but instead embracing the natural ebb and flow of life.

Think of your time like the seasons or the tide—some weeks, you’re riding a wave of productivity, checking everything off your list. Other times, you need to pull back and focus on what truly matters in the moment.

And that’s okay.

As a multi-passionate person, you don’t need rigid rules about what to work on and when. What you need are flexible guidelines that help you make the best decisions for where you are right now.

And while multitasking is a superpower, it’s not something you should lean on 24/7.

Think of it like the STAR power-up in Mario Kart – when you have it, you’re invincible, blazing past obstacles at full speed. But that boost doesn’t last forever, and if you try to maintain that pace all the time, you’ll crash.

Instead, be intentional about creating focused time for deep work on one thing at a time. That way, when it’s time to switch gears, you have the energy to bring your best self to everything you do.

4️⃣Action Steps for Thriving as a Multi-Passionate Person

If you have gotten this far, that means you are ready to embrace your multi-passionate superpower and are probably wondering how to do that. Good news, I have some tips!

Being multi-passionate isn’t about doing everything – it’s about making intentional choices so your passions fuel you instead of draining you.

The key?

A solid system for structuring your time, prioritizing projects, and knowing when to say yes (or a firm no). Here is what I can suggest will help you do just that!

How to Structure Your Time

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to time management and that’s the beauty of it.

Some people thrive with rigid schedules, while others need flexibility to follow their creative energy.

The important thing is finding what works for you and being okay with changing it when it stops working.

Whether it’s time-blocking, theme days, or just keeping a running list of priorities, the best system is the one that helps you take action without feeling overwhelmed.

Tips for Identifying Which Projects to Prioritize

When everything sounds exciting, how do you decide what actually deserves your focus?

I use the Entrepreneur’s Matrix, a strategy that G&G created that helps me drill down on what moves the needle the most.

The short version? Look for the intersection of what excites you, what has impact, and what aligns with your goals.

When to Say “Yes” and When to Let Things Go

Saying “yes” to everything is a fast track to burnout, so it’s important to be selective. And I mean this about everything you are doing. Even if you have a simple idea like “Oh, lemme do a new freebie” or “Yeah, I can probably figure out Adobe InDesign this weekend for a client”

Ask yourself:

✅ Does this align with my long-term goals?

✅ Will this bring me joy or growth?

✅ Do I actually have the bandwidth to give it my best?

If the answer is no (or if you’re hesitating because it just doesn’t feel right), give yourself permission to let it go.

Not every opportunity is meant for this season of your life (even if it provides you income), and that’s okay. Prioritizing what truly matters will give you the space and energy to thrive in all the things that light you up.

Here’s to being multi-passionate and being PROUD of it! Remember: it’s your superpower and it’s not something to be ashamed of.

If you’re searching for a community of people who will applaud your multi-passions and never put you down for them, we’d love to meet you!