Why Some of Us Don’t Have One True Calling | Emilie Wapnick | TED

What do you want to be when you grow up? Well, if you're not sure you want to do just one thing for the rest of your life, you're not alone. In this illuminating talk, writer and artist Emilie Wapnick describes the kind of people they call "multipotentialites" -- who have a range of interests and jobs over one lifetime. Are you one?

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[misskristenh]

"When I was 5 years-old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy.’ They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life."― John Lennon

[wotasheep]

"It is rarely a waste of time to pursue something that you're drawn into, even if you end up quitting. You might apply that knowledge to a different field entirely, in a way you couldn't have anticipated". Nicely said.

[blogwiser]

Finally, a TED talk directed to me. At age 57, I have finally narrowed my answer to the question of what I want to be when I grow up to three choices. Perhaps four. Definitely probably no more than ten.

[Scoopy]

This hit me so hard. This is exactly what I experience every day. Feeling lost and I don't finish projects and move on to the next.

[jeed]

I'm 17 and I am trying a lot of things. I am writing my novel and at the same time practicing to draw traditionally and digitally. I am learning Korean and Japanese language and thinking about learning other languages. I like editing videos, playing guitar and thinking about learning other instruments. I may be still 17 but seeing this video makes me want to learn more. Thank you!

[j.thorgard]

"Know something about everything, and everything about something." Thomas Huxley

[gspahr]

Thank you from an architect/3D artist who also is a polyglot Italian teacher, amateur runner, and frustrated musician.

[micahmarchand]

I have never identified so strongly with a TED talk... this is so amazing! My whole life I have struggled with what I want to be... and now I finally know that other people feel the same... and that its not bad. Best day ever.

[davidnguyen]

I had a sewing phase, speedcubing phase, competitive math phase, quantum physics, Tetris, piano, origami, programming, etc. SO many interests, and despite picking a major and sticking with it, I wish I could learn so much more. This is by far the most relatable thing I have come across in a very long time.

[Samia-zunt]

I'm still in high school but I love painting, writing, marketing, business, travelling, video editing, graphic design, social work, social sciences, and journaling! But I also wanted to have a relatively high paying job. I had been limiting myself so I go into one career but this ted talk showed me that I can do much more!

[LilChuunosuke]

I am so glad I saw this TED talk.
I am immediately showing this to my friend. Next time I see her, I am taking her phone and turning this on because she is definitely a multipotentialite and she still believes it to be a problem and I want her to see that it is not.

[FullMetalPower]

jack of many trades but master of none. story of my life

[Dailydopamine]

I wish I had watched this 8 yrs ago. A boring job is worse than death.

[loompingkuda]

I cried watching this. All those cute "what do you wanna be" questions turning into pressure and even anger from parents/teachers/adult figures because I just can NOT focus on one thing part, that ate me up inside until at the age of 25 I finally accepted this is just who I am... is so true.

And yeah, I have ADHD too, and has been diagnosed by a psych.

[CuppaCapo]

All my life I've had a multiple of interests, in considered myself a sprinter instead of a long distance runner, so I became a 21 time author, 6 time world record holder, event planner, comic, radio host, tv host, adventurer, and speaker. I also designed jewlery, and decorated houses. I love my life, and I tried to figure out ways to make money at all the things I do/did. People would say, Focus on one thing...focus, focus focues, but I like focusing in short spurts, that brought me my true happiness. Love this talk.

[beatriztrigo]

This is the most relatable thing I've ever watched.

[SinikkaLiTV]

this made me cry. I thought I'm the only one.

[bhavanijanakiram]

Everyone in Human Resources of all companies should watch this. They are the ones who can make you feel terrible about being a multipotentialite

[khalilneal]

It's crazy to me that this isn't talked about more in our culture. Especially considering that da Vinci was a perfect example of this and we regard him as one of the greatest figures in history.

[hazziesof]

I am tearing up watching this because I've always been ashamed of not being able to focus on one thing.