How to Be a Multifaceted Human Being in a Systematic World
“Human beings cannot be categorized in this way. It doesn’t work. Maybe it’s time to start embracing people instead of dividing them into groups.”
Ever feel the world is trying to put you in a box?
It seems that people have a need to define us within a simple and clear identity, in order to remember and make sense of us. It happens at work, in our personal lives, and even in our own mind — after a while, we automatically confine ourselves in a box as to who we are and what we can do.
The more I experience life and get to know people, the more I notice that creating systems is what human beings do. This goes way back to our prehistoric brain and how we use it for survival. Our mind organizes information in our environment so we can discern when and if we are in danger. If we saw a large shape with glistening sharp teeth in the wild, running rapidly toward us from a distance, we’d profile it to be a predator coming to attack us. If we saw a small, slow-moving creature in the woods, we’d put it in the harmless category and continue our way unalarmed. We quickly process information this way with all of our senses. I believe that is why we have so many stereotypes in today’s world — to quickly organize a person into a category.
Yet, we are advanced beings, and are always evolving. Unlike other animals, we don’t just live one way and are good for one thing. We have the intelligence to acquire new tools and new ways of thinking. Our world today is full of amazing human beings who are capable of becoming experts in many areas of life. We can speak multiple languages, have multiple talents, live in multiple continents and work in multiple industries. We are not confined to any one profession or one way of being. But being a multifaceted human being often means having to break many barriers, because we were born into a systematic world full of order and structure. While that in itself isn’t a bad thing, for multifaceted human beings, it can feel stifling, even deadening.
The difference between being scattered and being multifaceted
The systematic world typically perceives those with many interests and pursuits as scattered or unfocused. Or, unprofessional, in the career aspect. Sayings such as “Jack of all trades” are used to describe them and often used with a negative connotation tied to it. But there is a difference between being scattered and being multifaceted. Just because you are blessed with many talents and enjoy having many pursuits, doesn’t mean you are scattered and unfocused.
Being scattered means you spend your time touching on many different pursuits you’re not necessarily good at or passionate about, and they generally produce no results. They are superficial and short-term pursuits that typically lead to nowhere. There is no commitment in acquiring deeper knowledge or skills to see through any of those pursuits.
Being multifaceted doesn’t mean you are scattered, though it can be challenging to focus on one thing at a time. Multifaceted beings usually have many talents. Some are innate while others are learned. They are passionate beings and can be incredibly focused in becoming excellent in any (or all) of their pursuits. They are not scattered by any means because they know what fuels them and they are not afraid to go after them. And many multifaceted people are successful at building a great life and career for themselves because they have acquired so many skills along the way.
Be okay with not having a singular identity
Sometimes, it takes a great amount of courage to go through life as a multifaceted human being. Because there are so many facets to you, forming a clear sense of self can be a confusing process. The feedback you are getting from your environment can also be inconsistent because there is so much more to you than meets the eye. Finding clarity within is key when you have so many gifts to offer the world.
In order to fully embrace the wonderful gift of being multifaceted, you must first accept your identity isn’t as simple to define as most others, and there is nothing wrong with that. It’s also important to not criticize or judge yourself if you are still finding your way and deciding on a direction that feels right. It’s okay if you’re still in the exploratory phase of your life and trying different jobs or activities of your interest. When you have done enough exploring, you will naturally gain a solid sense of who you are. And chances are, you will find as long as you know your deeper values, the amount of interests and pursuits are not what ultimately defines you. When you learn to become unapologetic about your multifacetedness, others will start to see it as a gift too, rather than as an enigma.
Create your own system
Many of us are raised to believe that in order to be successful, we have to groom ourselves to fit into a system — one that’s created by others, such as a university or a corporation. When you have many diverse talents or passions and especially if you are a free thinker, trying to fit into a preexisting system might not feel comfortable for you. It might even feel limiting. But who's to say you can’t create your own system?
This may even be your purpose — designing a life (or a career) like no other. You have what it takes to combine all of your passions and skills into one uniquely lived life. If you have an overwhelming amount of passions and skills, then you will need the patience to pursue one thing at a time, in the right order. Chances are, it will take giving up your control for the right order to reveal itself.
Live a whimsical and adventurous life
Surrendering to the flow of life is a great way to allow each of your facets to shine! You can’t help but be multifaceted anymore than the sun can’t help but shine. Give up your expectations and let life surprise you once in a while. The universe will take notice of your gifts and allow you to be of service using those gifts. When that happens, be sure to step into light and let yourself be seen. If your desire is to live a multifaceted life, then you will need to recognize when you’ve been given the opportunity to do so. Follow your passions and skills and see where life takes you next. You might just be living beyond your wildest dreams.
In truth, I believe all of us are multifaceted. There are only unexplored or hidden passions and skills. Many of us have simply not been exposed to the array of options we have in life, and many others were told they need to abandon their passions and choose a safe path, one that fits into an existing system. As many people have discovered, ignoring your passions and talents ultimately leads to unfulfillment. If you feel it in your being that you have much more to offer than the job you’re assigned to, or a one-dimensional personality you’re perceived as, then I hope this article offers you some inspiration to live as the multifaceted being you are meant to be.
