Liking too many things...

[Saidin]

Hi everybody,

I have the following problem. I really should say challenge, but I've been struggling with this for so long: I like too many things. I'd really love to be good at one or a few things and immerse myself in that subject. Somewhat like Steve does or many other people who have achieved something great. They have a lot of knowledge about their chosen field.

I know that if I stick to one subject, I can become a real expert at something, but that's just the hard part... sticking to one subject.

I get exited about something too easily. I like personal development a lot, but probably not enough to really immerse myself in it. I like creating websites. I like history, reading, sports, movies, games, people... I can write a list a mile long and if you name it, I will probably be interested in it.

However, what I'd really love is to gain a higher level of knowledge of something or become really good at something. I know I must put in time, and I don't mind doing that, but I just get bored with almost everything after a while. My work history shows the same trends: I've got 6 jobs in the last 5 years. I never stick around long enough to become a company 'guru'...

I tried Brian Kim's post how to find what you love to do, which is a great post, but I just find I love sooooo many things. I tried finding my purpose for many hours, but to no avail.

I know there are many people out here who have struggled with the same problem and I'd really love to hear how you've overcome this problem or how you're currently overcoming it.

[promethe]

Hi,

For my part, I find that is a good thing to love to many thing. Curiosity is positive. But, it could be difficult to manage.

For my part, I have a well organized to do list and a list of projects where I write any idea or project I have. I reviewing each day each of my list. It help me a lot to clear my head and don't have the fear of forgeting my projects.

One of the most important thing is to accept the difficult idea that you can't do all of the things you like in same time, so you should make a list of them and set your priority.

[Trustme]

What kind of jobs have you had in the past?

[songwriter]

Well, you can do many things...
but to make a living you probably have to focus in one thing and do all the rest of things in your leisure time.
Even Superman had to work as a journalist... (bad joke I know...).
Think Leonardo Da Vinci, that man made did virtually anything in a genius level.
Sometimes people say "I'm a songwriter" "I'm an expert in..." well... that's why are you paid but you are "A lover, an eater, a guy working in..., a thinker...".
Now I'm a poster of this forum. But as long I don't get paid for that I've got "to be" something for 40 hours each week or so.

[FuturePast]

Have a look at the book The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One by Margaret Lobenstine.

[Andrew Brunelle]

I've had the same problem in regards to college. I went at rist majoring in math and minoring in education, but then I decided I didn't like education, and I wasn't sure if I liked math anymore, and I started liking writing a lot more, so I decided to minor in creative writing, but I also like nutrition, foreign languages, and other things. I also love comedy and stand-up. I want to be a pulbic speaker. What I realize is that I have an entire lifetime to do all these different things. I can pursue different types of careers at different times in my life. You're not bound to the career you choose at 20 or 18. Explore all the things you love, just be sure to keep a balance to fulfilling each of your interest's needs. I'm still in the process of doing so, and it's an amazing thing to see unfold. But don't think you have to limit yourself to one thing. That is the furthest thing from the truth.

[Drella]

I too am interested in feedback on this "problem". Others I know are suggesting that it indicates I have ADHD.

[FuturePast]

Originally Posted by Drella

I too am interested in feedback on this "problem". Others I know are suggesting that it indicates I have ADHD.

If liking too many things is your only problem, then you needn't worry about having ADHD.

[Saidin]

Originally Posted by FuturePast

Have a look at the book The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One by Margaret Lobenstine.

Thanks for that one. While reading the comments on that book, somebody pointed me to Refuse to Choose! A Revolutionary Program for Doing Everything That You Love. I'm not sure if this is where I'd like to go. Be a Jack of all traits instead of a specialist. I'd really like to make one or a few websites that bring me money automatically, whether I work or not. Kind of like what Steve's website is doing for him, but not nescecarily that kind of income. However, I have these 5 million ideas for websites, try to build them all, but after a while I abandon them. They hardly ever get the traffic I want from them.

I can't see how to provide value to people with all the little bits of knowledge I have about many different subjects. I feel I have to become good at 'one' thing. I want to become good at one thing, but I just can't seem to stick to one subject long enough.

[Saidin]

Originally Posted by Trustme

What kind of jobs have you had in the past?

Working in gardens, movie rental shop, gas station, programmer/web developer (at 5 different companies in as many years), freelance web developer, movie industry as lighting technician and a bunch of other smaller jobs 'on the side'.

[RT Wolf]

This is similar but different from what you're saying. I strongly believe in a multi-disciplinary approach. Every job you were at taught you something and added to your life perspective and expertise. Many problems can't be solved by only applying one tool or perspective. Many problems in the world require multi-disciplinary approachs (that is, knowledge of economics, business, law, whatever, etc). And people who can think of solutions from different perspectives are always welcome.

I am a lot like you, but I've narrowed my list of things I'm interested in quite considerably to the few things I'm really passionate about (making movies and videos, writing, learning about humanity, personal development, investing, trials biking and a handful of others).