Being a Multidisciplinary Entrepreneur Part II: How Can You Implement All The Ideas You Have?

Being a Multidisciplinary Professional: Part II - The Process of Implementation?

Having multiple ideas and visions is great - but what does the process of implementation look like?

If you are multi-passionate and have a rainforest mind like me, you know that wearing your multiple hats is a balancing act. Having multiple ideas and visions is great - but what does the implementation look like? For some, it can be endless to-do lists and a head-spinning amount of tasks and deadlines to manage. For others, it is smooth and seamless project management through the flurry of action. Choosing a multi passionate path communicates that you are the type of person that is energized by novelty. That’s important data to have about yourself - that you are someone who appreciates variety.?

Now that you know you want to balance multiple roles, projects, and initiatives - how do you manage your time through them? Read on to learn about the strategies, tips, and tricks that help multidisciplinary entrepreneurs and professionals to maximize their time on earth by fulfilling and honoring every part of themselves. In Part I of this article series , I talk about my origin story and how I even began considering such a path. In this part, I will discuss the realities of time management on this journey, and the workarounds that can make your life easier if this is the life that energizes and excites you most.?

For my multidisciplinary people, consider these strategies to help you manage and maximize your time:?

Self employment or freelancing?

Your notebook is plastered with ideas, sketches, and mini-business plans, why not take the leap and start something of your own?

Just by virtue of being multi-passionate, you don’t fit into a box. Even in a functional or specified role, you want to try all the hats and do all of the things. This makes traditional employment, while a good starting ground, ultimately feel limiting. Your notebook is plastered with ideas, sketches, and mini-business plans, why not take the leap and start something of your own? You can keep your 9 to 5 job while still building and researching your idea. My stint as an entrepreneur has taught me that ideas take time to develop into companies. That business that is an overnight success is very rare. There is a huge learning curve in entrepreneurship and freelancing as well, so you want to give yourself time to learn and develop as you build.?

The great thing about entrepreneurship is that there are many different business structures and types of entrepreneurship that you can pursue. If you enjoy more project based work and working with different companies you can start a freelancing business in marketing, finance, HR, etc. and use the professional skills you’ve developed from your own job with other companies. You can also pursue content creation or creative entrepreneurship. If you excel at editing videos, photography, writing / blogging, or even compiling pieces of artwork and graphic design; you can take that and turn it into a small company as well. With the rise of artificial intelligence, it has become so much easier to develop engaging content and creative pieces in the nick of time.?

If you are someone who enjoys leadership and working with others in the spirit of service - consider starting a social enterprise or non-profit organization. I’ve noticed is that multi-passionate people tend to be very altruistic and driven by a spirit of service and impact in all that they do. This is an area of strength and something to capitalize upon. In fact, some of The United States’ largest non-profit organizations started as impactful and locally-driven initiatives. You can find a need in your community and/or a social cause you are passionate about - and start rallying people around it. Soon, you’ll have your first set of volunteers. Then, you can register as a 501c(3) and be able to solicit donations. Next, you can hold events, giveaways, or provide services to support your mission. If your current job doesn’t provide you with that sense of mission and fulfillment that you crave, starting a nonprofit or social enterprise that you run on the weekends could be a good move.?

Project-based initiatives?

Maybe you are multi-passionate but you aren’t at that stage yet. It is fine to start with the intention of building a small project, rather than an entire business.

Building on the conversation of self-employment is one of commitment. Building a business, while an attractive move and a dream for many, requires commitment. Maybe you are multi-passionate but you aren’t at that stage yet. It is fine to start with the intention of building a project, rather than an entire business. Passion projects have become increasingly popular, and have provided many professionals with the opportunity to try a new outlet and hobby. I’m a big fan of the hobbyist culture - and even with my busy schedule, I make time to pursue things that have nothing to do with me making money or any other capitalist ideal we are taught to pursue. Recently, I started a YouTube channel , and that’s been a passion of mine. By leading this small project, I get to benefit from seeing something grow and develop without the stress of attaching my livelihood to it. If you are a multi passionate person who believes that we are more than the amount of money we make (and we certainly are), taking a project-based approach can help to renew your passion while reducing the stress of the day to day grind.?

Time management techniques?

While all stress is not negative - in fact, stress can be beneficial - poor time management is often a stressor for multidisciplinary professionals of today’s age.

Now time management is crucial for this type of career. With the projects comes deadlines, with deadlines comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes stress. While all stress is not negative - in fact, stress can be beneficial - poor time management is often a stressor for the multifaceted and multidisciplinary professionals of today’s age. “So you’re telling me I have to write a blog post, edit a video, and shoot a podcast, all in ten hours.” Yep - I am telling you that you might have to do all of that. However, with good time management and organization; the seemingly impossible becomes possible. First, you want to develop and invest in your project management skills. Taking project management courses will help you learn the various ways that time is managed to produce outcomes. Second, you want to enlist help and delegate where you can. Finding volunteers through organizations such as WeMakeChange and UX Rescue can provide you with free assistance in exchange for experience. You can also enlist the help of a virtual assistant for a small monthly fee, to reduce administrative burden and free you up to do the most consequential tasks.?

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle?

Finding ways to create systems of overlap can make all your ventures, initiatives, and projects form a cohesive whole and help you to establish a multifaceted personal brand.

One of the major ways to save time is by looking for synergies between your efforts and finding ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. You don’t want to duplicate efforts; but to have each facet of your multifaceted career compliment each other. If you are writing a blog post for your business, why not compile these blog posts for a personal website as well? If you have a podcast and record solo episodes, why not compile those episodes into a speaker reel? Finding ways to create systems of overlap can make your ventures, initiatives, and projects form a cohesive whole and help you to establish a multifaceted personal brand. Growing up as a GenZer, there was a song we used to learn about recycling and taking care of the earth. This song rang “reduce, reuse, recycle.” The core principles of sustainability don't just apply to the earth, but to how we navigate our careers and how we structure our lives. Is your current pace sustainable for the long term? Working smarter and not harder is the key. Make sure your efforts overlap and look for ways to save time where you can.?

Pursue Creative Rest?

As an entrepreneur, I’ve recognized that creative passions outside of your core projects can provide you with new inspiration and energy to tackle a hectic schedule.

As I move through my 20s, I’ve learned how important it is to navigate periods of rest and renewal. There are times when you will have to slow down, and embracing these periods of rest is critical to your well-being. A multi-passionate life requires you to rest your mind, body, and spirit. Outside of getting 8 hours of sleep per night (which is a must), another mode of rest you can pursue is creative rest . Multipotentialites tend to be attracted to creative careers and enterprises. This often puts a strain on your mind to constantly come up with new ideas, strategies, and concepts - even if it’s just for one business or project. The process of building anything from scratch can be taxing.

As an entrepreneur, I’ve recognized that creative passions outside of your core projects can provide you with new inspiration and energy to tackle a hectic schedule. Hobbies such as dancing, painting, pottery, etc. help you to tap into your tactile (physical) creativity, which can help reduce the mental strain that comes from an idea-generating career. That’s just one example, but regularly getting yourself out of your comfort zone, and generating your creative juices in the process can always be healing and regenerative to your mind. As a multipotentialite, your mind is your greatest asset - care for it wisely.?

Remain Curious and Open?

Lastly, remember that your curiosity and openness are strengths, and not things to be feared or ashamed of. Continue to follow your passions and let them guide your life. In a world where we often lose our creativity and ability to dream as we get older, if you’ve made it past the age of 22 and still have the ability to dream and remain passionate about the possibilities; see yourself as special. Your imagination and curiosity are your greatest assets. Continue to nurture this aspect of yourself. Keep pushing, keep working, and paint a career that is a mosaic just as unique as you are.?

In Part III this article series, we will discuss learning from failures, taking risks, and embracing a mindset of process improvement to learn and develop new skills. \

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