104 Are you a renaissance soul?

Are you a person of many interests? You’re told to focus, to pick a lane, but you’d rather die first. Relax. This is your episode. 

This week’s Inspire Me quote is from Margaret Lobenstine’s book, The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One:

“Now is only a part of your life.” 

In this episode, Leary and Armin discuss:

• The definition of a renaissance soul.
• The five signs that you’re a renaissance soul.
• The challenges and advantages of being a renaissance soul.

They conclude this show by offering some suggestions on how you can cultivate your renaissance soul.

Quotes from the show:

• “A true renaissance soul is a person who is lighted up by a variety of interests.” —Leary
• “Even if you’re not that person, it’s still worth listening to this episode, because you’re going to deal with this enigma of a person [at some point]. This might be the way for you to be able to empathize with this person, understand where they’re coming from, and how to communicate with them.” —Armin
• “Oftentimes, [having many interests is] accompanied by a lack of discipline. [….] If you’re not thinking intentionally about how you cultivate those interests, then you will be a scattered personality and, I think, subject more to the criticism that most of us as renaissance souls get.” —Leary
• “At first, a lot of us are scattered[…]. It sometimes takes someone, like you, to say: 1) No, it’s okay to be like that; 2) But there’s a way to handle it; 3) There’s a way to prioritize; and 4) There’s a way to make a decision—you create a process to help you eliminate the Scatter Brain Syndrome.” —Armin
• “The design of a renaissance soul is to enjoy and embrace the present interests that you have. […] If you recognize that, then you can say, ‘Look, I don’t have to do one thing forever, and I don’t have to be on this quest to find The One Thing. I can embrace what’s right in front of me—the things I’m enjoying right now[…].’ And that’s really liberating.” —Leary
• “Maybe you’re supposed to look at how you integrate a number of disciplines together rather than how you become the uber-master [of each discipline].” —Leary
• “You’re going to add value to others when you’re pursuing the things that are energizing and interesting to you.” —Leary
• “You are the only person who can be you. […] Embrace the fact that you are different. […] stop apologizing for it. You just have to say, ‘I have a whole variety of interests that I like to cultivate.’ That becomes your calling card, not your liability.” —Leary

This week’s Challenge Me:

If you’re a renaissance soul, identify your “now focus points”—the two or three things that capture your interest right now. Take some time to sit down and write out your game plan for cultivating each one.

What do you think of this topic? Share your comments or questions below. If you’re a renaissance soul, tell us what it’s been like for you: what are some of the challenges you’ve had and what are the strategies you’ve developed along the way?

Resources mentioned in or related to this podcast:

• Leary’s review of the book discussed in this episode: “Recommended Reading: ‘The Renaissance Soul’ by Margaret Lobenstine.”
• Margaret Lobenstine’s book, The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One.
• Barbara Sher’s book, Refuse to Choose!: Use All of Your Interests, Passions, and Hobbies to Create the Life and Career of Your Dreams.
• Episode 26: “Do your many interests hinder your next great beginning?“