The paradox of the creative generalist

24 Feb

manyhats2

Photo by Yonoo (for sale on etsy)

I feel like I’m in need of the big sister sit down. The kind where I take my friend and give some great advice over a mug of tea.

I won’t deny that this economy puts the fear into me. I’m certain that going back to take French classes will help my job prospects here in Montreal but aside from this, I’m in need giving a re-evaluation as to what I’m passionate about. I think this is particularly difficult when you are a jack/jill of all trades or creative generalist.

I’ve been fortunate to have worked in some great web design shops where I worked in all areas of production.My first job in the industry was one where I was in a small (7 person shop) and I was so thoroughly implicated within so many different areas that I was really able to hone my abilities and get a full dose of how things worked. Writing, planning, project management, client services – you name it, I did it.

There’s the problem. What happens when you reach the point where you can ‘wear many hats’, they all fit you well, but you’re not sure where you wish to focus your attention?

4 Responses to “The paradox of the creative generalist”

  1. Matt February 24, 2009 at 11:34 pm #

    Tanya, if you find the answer to this question, please you let me know! Been thinking about this for months.

  2. Amanda February 26, 2009 at 3:54 pm #

    A great book to help work through this problem is called ‘Refuse to Choose’ by Barbara Sher. She has coined the term ‘Scanners’ for people who are generalists rather than specialists. There are a number of different types of scanners, depending on how you cycle through different interests and pursuits, and your reasons for doing so. The book includes questionnaires and recommends strategies and tactics for steering your career and your life if you are one of these types of people.

    Here is an article/excerpt: http://www.getmotivation.com/articlelib/articles/barbara_sher_scanner.html

    FWIW I checked it out from the library and found it very useful and practical.

    Hope this helps!

  3. Anile February 28, 2009 at 7:51 pm #

    Ooooohh I really hear you on the dilemma (and rich possibilities) of this post. Interested to see where this will lead. I put the kettle on! Come on over for a tongue waggin’!!

  4. lightspeedchick March 6, 2009 at 2:31 pm #

    I’ve heard that kind of dilemma from a lot of people lately, and have just emerged from it myself. You know that if you could only decide what you want to do, you could do it. The problem is figuring out what you want to do.

    Thing is, you can’t do much about that state of mind. You can’t just “decide to decide something”, and then have that be the right decision for you. All you can do is be receptive and wait for the right door to open. And it will, and then you’ll know you’ve found the next exciting challenge. In other words, passion grabs you, you don’t grab it.

    The meantime can suck, but it should be more bearable knowing you can’t do anything about it. You may be able to minimize the wait by exposing yourself to many different creative possibilities (by attending pecha kucha-like events for example) with an open mind.

    That might open the next door faster, but otherwise, the incubation phase has its advantages (like extra free time?).