Leeann, The Multipotentialite Part 2: Discovering My Superpowers

#1 Idea Synthesis

I love brainstorming and connecting ideas to create original solutions. I have a brain-dump journal where I free-write every idea without judging it. One idea I came up with in my current job was to put brochures about our partner relationships and resources for offenders in the intake lobby. Having accessible, paper resources shows that we care. We want to help as much as we can by providing information someone may need, like substance abuse assessment agencies, online courses the court may order, or a list of food banks. Someone who is embarrassed or unsure of their needs might feel more confident choosing a brochure on their own than asking a staff member. This idea has many positive impacts on us all, and it was just one of a million ideas. A brochure can go a long way!

#2 Rapid Learning

I grasp concepts and pick up skills quickly. Part of this is because I have overcome the beginner stage several times. For example, I started pole dancing as a hobby in 2024, and at first I couldn’t even lift myself. Everything was awkward and painful. I kept going to class despite the initial discomfort, and I've seen growth through consistent practice over the past two years. I can lift my body weight now, invert to be upside down, worry less about how I look, and instead have fun while dancing. It is one of the most consistent hobbies I have ever done, and dance has become my passion. Reminding myself that I have overcome challenging things in the past motivates me to keep going when I try something new.

Passion drives us to absorb as much as we can in a short period of time, and multipotentialites are passionate people. I can spend hours learning about a topic that I am interested in. I’ll research things for fun: cults, serial killers, and more. I’ll spend hours practicing choreography before I realize I am hungry. It's easy to get lost in my passions. If I'm not careful, I can get burnt out. I am learning how to balance it all by taking things one day at a time and blocking out much-needed rest time in my calendar.

Another factor that drives my rapid learning is that I am constantly trying new things; for example, I started learning samba. I found commonalities in samba dance with pole because in both, it’s all about good posture-looking up with shoulders back as if you have a crown on your head, my teacher would say. The same skill translation applies to jobs. When I worked at an assisted living home as a housekeeper, it was much more than cleaning. I interacted with residents with different mental and medical problems like dementia, hoarding, veterans with PTSD, and Parkinson’s. I learned how to handle conflict among these groups. Working in the courthouse, I encounter people with severe mental illness all of the time and learned through experience how to de-escalate heated situations and how to keep myself safe as well. The great thing about pursuing multiple interests is that you gain transferable skills applicable to different disciplines.

#3 Intellectual Curiosity

Multipotentialites are always interested in learning. Learning does not stop after college graduation. I seek out opportunities to learn. I took some free online courses to learn more about nonprofits and grant seeking. I started applying for volunteer grant writer roles to start building those skills. I have the self-motivation to take the time outside of work to pursue professional development opportunities. So many resources are available that people don't know about, and the only way to find them is to be curious enough to look. Education can open many doors, so it's important that I continue my efforts to learn.

#4 Adaptability

Multipotentialites can draw on their vast and varied skill sets depending on the needs of employers, clients, or customers. We can make ourselves at home in various settings and roles. I know this from experience. I worked as a customer service representative from home, and then I wanted more hands-on, face-to-face interaction. I tried housekeeping, which was a totally different environment. I’ve worked customer-facing front desk and cashier roles and also had a chance to work in the back, using my hands. In all of those roles, I used the skills I gained from previous roles to adapt well.  

#5 Big-Picture Thinking

Multipotentialites can see how individual ideas connect to the wider world. I spend hours in the courtrooms and see how the whole system works from the outside. I have made recommendations to District Attorneys and Judges for ways to improve the facilitation of community service programs. I approach these conversations from a broad perspective, asking how our actions affect defendants as well as our own positions. A broad perspective helps us see how choices affect other sectors and develop more compassionate, collaborative ideas.

#6 Relating and Translating

We are natural connectors-we love connecting with people on an emotional level and connecting ideas to help people understand each other. We can translate between them. I think I could have been a good mediator because I always consider that there are two sides to every story. Being an immigrant and living in different places has broadened my outlook and made me more open-minded. This varied experience helps me relate to people from all different walks of life. Intense curiosity makes us good listeners. Often in the court intake office, people come in to ask for directions or help with something unrelated to probation or community service. Although I don't know all the answers to their problems, I listen to their story, and they're usually appreciative that I'm there to listen.

These superpowers are more than just traits I have. They point toward the kind of life and work I want to build.

My Why:

Creative expression

Community building

Human connection and empowerment

This is how I approach work right now. Emily Wapnick calls this the Einstein Approach, which she describes as having a full-time job for stability while leaving you with enough time and energy to pursue your other passions on the side. Yes, I value stability, and I want my paid work to be enjoyable, but it does not have to be my entire identity. I find joy and meaning when I pursue my interests for fun, not for money. I do not know what the future may hold for my career, but this is how I see it: I may never be rich, but as long as I am financially stable and happy doing the things I love, I am winning at life.

My productivity system:

Wapnick is correct that productivity is linked to our happiness and, for many of us, our sense of self-worth. Productivity is the process of taking action that moves us toward our goals. Right now, my system focuses on working on one thing at a time. I also want to emphasize that projects don't have to be perfect or even complete to be productive. It is still progress towards your goal, and you can always pick back up on a hobby whenever you want, on your time. Taking breaks using the Pomodoro method is a healthy way to hyperfocus on a topic or task. In my opinion, having a planned work period and a short rest period is the way to go.

Reading Wapnick’s experiences and reflecting on my own has inspired me to lean into my strengths and keep building the life and career that work for me. I realized that my path doesn’t have to be one straight line.