I’m passionate about helping people think outside the job box.
One of the many great things about being your own boss is getting to pick your own title. Which of course is why I’ve been the Dreamer in Residence at Changing Course since 1995.
Another great thing about self-bossing is you can have as many titles as you want!
Guest contributor Kate Navarro Fessler has three…
Transformation Catalyst, First Class Life Mentor, and Licensed Profit from Your Passions® Coach!
If you have “too many” passions, Kate’s here today with some helpful advice for so-called “scanners” everywhere.
Whether you have multiple gifts and interest or you’re still trying to find your calling, click here now to learn about a new group Kate’s running just for you.
Already know what you love to do, but need help turning it into a real business?
Then another recent guest contributor and Chief Inspirational Officer at Different Drummer Coaching, Linda Tomsho (Making Money From Your Art: Are You a “HO” or a “BO”?) has the perfect business building group for you!
The thing is there are only two spots left in Kate and Linda’s “dream teams.”
So if really want to work at what you love… then do yourself a huge favor and take a moment now to see if being a part of either the Idea Seekers or the Business Builder Dream Team is right for you.
Either way I know you’re going to love Kate’s article…
Jack or Jill of All Trades – Master of ??
More Advice for “Scanners” Everywhere
Kate Navarro Fessler
In my family, we jokingly call it “useless knowledge.”
You know, the kind where you can name every song and artist on the radio, or you have an encyclopedic recall of historic events. Random information that you read somewhere or something you’ve explored that most people don’t know or have deemed uninteresting.
It serves you well in Trivial Pursuit, but could you make a living from it?
I’ve always been interested in learning new things.
For example, when I discovered that I like wine, I took a sommelier class to learn about it in-depth. I didn’t want to be a sommelier – but if I wanted to get a deep understanding of wine, hanging out with professionals and learning the way they do seemed like the logical way to go!
But of course nobody really understood why I would go to all that trouble if I didn’t want to get a job doing it.
I used to think my thirst for knowledge meant there was something wrong with me.
I had a day job that a lot of people would be thrilled to have, but I was always piling on more learning and still, at my age, looking for my “true calling.”
On that journey, I discovered that I was a “Scanner” – a term first coined by Barbara Sher and which later became the focus of her groundbreaking book, Refuse to Choose: Use All of Your Interests, Passions, and Hobbies to Create the Life and Career of Your Dreams.
A Scanner is someone who loves to learn, to explore, to try new things.
They’re easily bored, and sometimes don’t finish what they start.
Scanners find it hard to choose one direction, fearing they’ll be bogged down in the sameness of it.
They’re curious, interested in practically everything, fascinated by life, and fascinating because of their wide range of knowledge and abilities.
Scanners thrive on change.
No wonder I couldn’t settle down into one thing!
While others might define this as a mild form of ADD, or commitment-phobia, the fact is that my brain is wired to always be seeking knowledge, new ideas, and new experiences.
If this sounds like you, take heart!
There’s nothing wrong with you either. In fact, you have a somewhat rare “disorder” of a renaissance mind.
In today’s culture of short attention spans and ever-changing fads and trends, it’s actually a big asset!
There are lots of ways to make a living if you’re a Scanner.
Instead of the “one big idea,” you’ll probably be happier with “multiple streams of income.” All that learning you’ve done, all those areas of mastery that you think are “useless knowledge” – those could be your ticket to living your ideal life.
Not sure how to do it?
- First and foremost, give yourself permission to pursue your dreams! Next, take the advice of Barbara Winter, author of Making a Living Without a Job and look for ways you can “get in the conversation.” In this case that could be as simple as finding other entrepreneurially-minded Scanners for mutual support and idea generation.
- Think about teaching others – if you find something intriguing, chances are others will too. Of course, not everyone will want to “deep dive” like I did with a sommelier class. But most people will enjoy learning the highlights. More importantly, you’ll have a ball sharing what you know with others – and getting paid to do it!
- Consider how your interests might play well together. Could you combine your love of baking with your passion for healthful ingredients and come up with a great new product trend (remember Mrs. Fields?). Or if you love to drive and meet new people, you could become an Uber driver.
- Allow one path to lead to the next. For instance, while chatting with your Uber clients, you may discover trends in the kinds of questions asked or common gripes or challenges. After all, the first rule of business is, find a need and fill it!
- Accept that there may not be one “grand passion” for you. There’s nothing wrong with a “temporary permanent commitment.” As Barbara Sher says, “If Scanners didn’t think they should limit themselves to one field, 90 percent of their problems would cease to exist.”
Most of the people I coach are Scanners, but they don’t always know it. They have a lot of ideas, but don’t believe any of them are worth much.
One of my clients had three ideas he was considering. We evaluated each one and focused on one to develop first.
Today he is well on his way to developing what I believe is actually a huge idea.
An idea that also gives him the freedom within the framework of the larger business to create different lines of products – which in turn feeds his “Scanner” personality.
If you recognize yourself as a Scanner, take the next step and get in the conversation!
What ideas do you have? Evaluate them one by one and see which feels like the right place to start.
As Barbara Sher wisely points out, “Once you know you’re a Scanner, you’re free to take your first step toward the life you’ve been longing for.”
So, what are you waiting for!
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Kate Navarro Fessler is a Transformation Catalyst, First Class Life Mentor, and Licensed Profit from Your Passions® Coach. Kate believes that everyone has a unique calling and purpose, and far more potential than they realize. She has helped numerous individuals tap into that potential, define their own success, and create the life of their dreams.
As a former corporate wage slave, Kate understands how difficult it can be to shift from employee to entrepreneur, and works with her clients not only on the practical aspects of creating income streams “outside the job box,” but also on the mindset that accompanies successfully making that transition.
Kate lives in Kirkland, Washington, with her husband, James, and chocolate lab, Freyja. Discover more at her website, www.yourliferealized.com.[/contentbox]
