For years, I thought something was wrong with me. I had too many interests.
When I was around one friend who wanted to become a nurse, I found myself wondering if I should become a nurse too. I genuinely have a heart for caring for people.
Another friend became interested in learning makeup artistry. As we talked about it, I realized how much I also loved makeup and enjoyed doing it. I wondered if that was something I should pursue.
Every conversation seemed to open another possibility.
Then one day, a close friend said something I’ll never forget.
“Sometimes I feel like I can’t even share what’s on my heart because I feel like it’s going to become what’s on yours.”
That hurt.
Then she said something else I’ve never forgotten.
“I’ve never met someone who is so good at so many things and yet doesn’t seem satisfied with any of them.”
Ouch.
For years, I wondered if I simply couldn’t figure out who I was.
Looking back, I don’t think my problem was having too many interests. I think my problem was trying to understand myself through a world that celebrates specialization.
We’ve been taught to pick one thing. Become the expert. Stay in your lane. Find your niche.
There’s value in specialization. The world needs specialists. But I wonder if we’ve unintentionally overlooked another kind of person.
The one who sees connections where others see categories. The one whose curiosity crosses industries. The one who enjoys learning, creating, and solving problems from different perspectives.
For a long time, I thought that made me unfocused. Today, I see it differently.
One of my favorite quotes has often been shortened to: “A jack of all trades is a master of none.” Most people stop there. The fuller version continues: “...but oftentimes better than a master of one.”
Regardless of its origins, that sentiment has always encouraged me.
Having many interests isn’t the problem. Having many gifts isn’t the problem. The real challenge is discovering the purpose that brings those gifts together.
Writing. Technology. Business. Music. Teaching. Leadership. Health. Ministry.
I once thought they were competing. Today, I see them collaborating.
Individually, they look unrelated. Together, they tell the story of my calling.
As AI reshapes industries and careers evolve, I wonder if people with diverse skills may be uniquely positioned—not because they know everything, but because they’re willing to keep learning, connect ideas, and pivot when seasons change.
I’ve stopped asking, “Why do I have so many interests?” Now I ask, “How can God use every one of them to fulfill the purpose He created me for?”
That question still changes me.
Maybe calling isn’t always about discovering one gift. Maybe it’s about discovering how God uses many gifts to accomplish one purpose.
Are you a specialist or someone with multiple interests? How has that shaped your career?
#Leadership #CareerDevelopment #Adaptability #Purpose #Innovation #GrowthMindset #LifelongLearning #ChristianLeadership
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