As a generalist myself, thank you for writing this! Definitely struggle with similar issues, but will not bow down for a niche that doesn't let me be myself!
Yeah, I like to read how your journey was quite different, but see many similarities in the patterns. Also respect for your openness here btw. It was weird to "come out" as a generalist, but still happy with it.
Oh my, it felt like I was reading my own life’s story…Taylor this is crazy!
I’ve had basically the same experience but I feel like I’m one step before, because I’m currently exhausted and looking for a job although deep down I know it’s not what would fulfil me in long term. I need variety. Sooo hmmm, seems like I haven’t found the connecting thread you found! Although writing is super super exciting for me as well. 👀
I feel you, Lelde. Honestly I’m still finding more threads within the thread. Just kind of learning that we have multiple connective threads, all woven for different purposes and outcomes :)
Have been talking to lots of friends about “variety” lately — it’s a very valid need / value to acknowledge and is absolutely a strength. Now, what to start with first out of the variety of our interests is the challenge!
I'm a generalist that has the extreme fortune of being able to split or narrow my focus at will. It's allowed me to become proficient at several instruments, and music theory, enough that I make and record my own music. Proficient enough in coding to develop application tools for music theory reference, and at the moment I'm developing an adaptive narrative engine for story telling in games, which has lead me to work on writing. They all fit together like cogs in my mind, so when I need a new section added to the machine I just learn how to make it. I only know this way of being. It's frankly exhausting sometimes.
I loved this! Your journey sounds familiar and warming, and strangely similar to mine! I also started in marketing/copywriting, dabbled in photography (mostly travel photography 🌎) and now run a content design team at Meta— our worlds aren’t so far away. I’m constantly filling my life with diverse hobbies, and even while starting to write on Substack, I’ve been toying and agonising over writing in whatever direction the wind takes me and religiously following a script that I set for myself — to dare not confuse anyone that’s reading along. Looking forward to digging into more of your work 🙌🌟
I'm so happy to find yet another multi-hyphenate on here! It seems we were all hiding and now we finally have more spaces to roam free and share all our colors. How wonderful indeed... :D I agree, it's certainly a skill in this day and age, considering how quickly we have to adapt to everything around us, and how many hats we need to wear in any role! Lovely post Taylor!
Valuable insights here Taylor. Great job articulating this topic. I resonate with the generalist mentality, but I've found that striking a middle path between niching down and pursuing multiple interests is the sweet spot for me - aim to become great at one thing, then I use my other interests to make it stand out. That path might not suit everyone, but I've found it to be ideal for me, as it allows me to invest more time into actually mastering something, rather than spreading myself thin.
Oh wow.. i love this because I am this. I am a generalist and never want to stop being one, but im also afraid of letting my linkedin network know about it. It sucks. Seeing it working out for you has given me hope. And interestingly enough, I also found Substack to be very helpful. I have a very diverse background. I studied social communication, i did a masters in new media art curation, then i studied ecology, then a masters in human ecology, then i became a tech startup founder, then i was trained in psychoanalysis. It’s pure madness and i looooove it! I also had a common thread: creativity. And substack allowed me to mix all my background into something that maybe makes sense to people, and definitely something I personally believe in. So im very grateful for this platform, and grateful for reading you and feeling like i can take a deep breath and just let my linkedin know im as a generalist as i can be, and this is great.
As a generalist myself, thank you for writing this! Definitely struggle with similar issues, but will not bow down for a niche that doesn't let me be myself!
Thank you for sharing. It’s a tough road, and is completely unique to every generalist. Maintaining that rebel spirit is so important
Yeah, I like to read how your journey was quite different, but see many similarities in the patterns. Also respect for your openness here btw. It was weird to "come out" as a generalist, but still happy with it.
As a computer scientist/writer/entrepreneur/guitar player/rock climber/human this is the most powerful message I've read in a long while.
Thanks for your words, Taylor. You just got yourself a new follower.
So glad it resonated with you
The hardest part is that you're systematized to be in boxes.
The only way I've noticed to span both boxes is by focusing on the results you bring rather than the fields you mix.
That’s some hardcore wisdom
Yeah learned it the hard way when someone told me they didn't give a shit about what fields I mix.
They only cared about what I could do that no one else could
Oh my, it felt like I was reading my own life’s story…Taylor this is crazy!
I’ve had basically the same experience but I feel like I’m one step before, because I’m currently exhausted and looking for a job although deep down I know it’s not what would fulfil me in long term. I need variety. Sooo hmmm, seems like I haven’t found the connecting thread you found! Although writing is super super exciting for me as well. 👀
I feel you, Lelde. Honestly I’m still finding more threads within the thread. Just kind of learning that we have multiple connective threads, all woven for different purposes and outcomes :)
Have been talking to lots of friends about “variety” lately — it’s a very valid need / value to acknowledge and is absolutely a strength. Now, what to start with first out of the variety of our interests is the challenge!
Completely agree. I wrote a piece on this recently. If you’re so inclined, I’d enjoy your feedback on it!
https://kevincarlson.substack.com/p/your-curiosity-is-more-valuable-than
I'm a generalist that has the extreme fortune of being able to split or narrow my focus at will. It's allowed me to become proficient at several instruments, and music theory, enough that I make and record my own music. Proficient enough in coding to develop application tools for music theory reference, and at the moment I'm developing an adaptive narrative engine for story telling in games, which has lead me to work on writing. They all fit together like cogs in my mind, so when I need a new section added to the machine I just learn how to make it. I only know this way of being. It's frankly exhausting sometimes.
I loved this! Your journey sounds familiar and warming, and strangely similar to mine! I also started in marketing/copywriting, dabbled in photography (mostly travel photography 🌎) and now run a content design team at Meta— our worlds aren’t so far away. I’m constantly filling my life with diverse hobbies, and even while starting to write on Substack, I’ve been toying and agonising over writing in whatever direction the wind takes me and religiously following a script that I set for myself — to dare not confuse anyone that’s reading along. Looking forward to digging into more of your work 🙌🌟
Oh my gosh, I was also in content design at Meta! In the FinTech department. How wild. Love reading your multi-hyphenate history :)
I'm so happy to find yet another multi-hyphenate on here! It seems we were all hiding and now we finally have more spaces to roam free and share all our colors. How wonderful indeed... :D I agree, it's certainly a skill in this day and age, considering how quickly we have to adapt to everything around us, and how many hats we need to wear in any role! Lovely post Taylor!
Valuable insights here Taylor. Great job articulating this topic. I resonate with the generalist mentality, but I've found that striking a middle path between niching down and pursuing multiple interests is the sweet spot for me - aim to become great at one thing, then I use my other interests to make it stand out. That path might not suit everyone, but I've found it to be ideal for me, as it allows me to invest more time into actually mastering something, rather than spreading myself thin.
I love that you’ve found a connective thread that speaks to you and works for you so well.
Oh wow.. i love this because I am this. I am a generalist and never want to stop being one, but im also afraid of letting my linkedin network know about it. It sucks. Seeing it working out for you has given me hope. And interestingly enough, I also found Substack to be very helpful. I have a very diverse background. I studied social communication, i did a masters in new media art curation, then i studied ecology, then a masters in human ecology, then i became a tech startup founder, then i was trained in psychoanalysis. It’s pure madness and i looooove it! I also had a common thread: creativity. And substack allowed me to mix all my background into something that maybe makes sense to people, and definitely something I personally believe in. So im very grateful for this platform, and grateful for reading you and feeling like i can take a deep breath and just let my linkedin know im as a generalist as i can be, and this is great.
It's amazing how I keep finding people just like me.
I like how you described the pain of been told to stick to one thing. It hurts us generalist.