The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One

“How do I decide what to do with my life when there are so many things I want to do?”

The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One

Yeah. Saw the book and HAD to have it. Obviously. (Giving it to the Renaissance Boyfriend next…) And as if I didn’t already know this about myself, I took the quiz. Are YOU a Renaissance Soul?

Um, I scored frighteningly high. 14/15

Five Signs That You Might Be a Renaissance Soul

1. The ability to become excited by many things at one, often accompanied by difficulty choosing.
2. A love of new challenges; once challenges are mastered, easily bored.
3. A fear of being trapped in the same career or activity for life.
4. A pattern of quick, sometimes unsatisfying flings with many hobbies
5. A successful career that has left you bored or restless.

“How do I define Renaissance Souls? In a nutshell, we are people who’s number one career or hobby choice is “Please don’t make me choose!” We’re much more inclined to pursue a slew of interests than to narrow our options to a single one…What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I get my act together? Why doesn’t anyone *get* me?”

EXACTLY!

• I struggle every time someone asks, “So, what’s next? Taking the BAR exam?” That question just makes me want to sprint to the nearest bar! The truth is, I don’t know. Right now, I’m focused on finding a career path—ideally within the agency where I’m currently working. But I’m also committed to making a thoughtful choice; I don’t want to take a position only to leave after a year.
• So far, three positions have opened up and been filled by incredible, dynamic women—roles I briefly considered but ultimately couldn’t see myself doing for the next three years. And that’s the real question: What could I see myself doing for the next three years?

Honestly? I don’t know. But at least I know that I don’t know… yet.

“I just cringe inside when I think of spending the rest of my life on proposals and bidding and merging and schmoozing and hiring and firing. I know I’m good at it all, and I know most people would love to be in my shoes. But I’m not most people.”

• YES! Yes, yes, yes—I could be a litigator. I could work on a campaign staff. In fact, I actually enjoy fundraising—especially when it’s for a cause I believe in. But I know I don’t want to do it as a career. I’d be unhappy, and I know that about myself.
• There are so many things I’m good at. I spent five years working with at-risk children in a residential treatment facility—I was good at it. I worked at Legal Services for the Elderly—I was good at that too. But do I want to commit to working with either of these populations forever? I don’t know.
• And for some reason, it doesn’t feel fair to take a position I can only see myself in for a year or so—especially when just getting up to speed in any organization takes time. There are people out there, just as wonderful as me, who would be better for those roles because they know they can dedicate themselves to the job for the long haul.
• I’m still figuring this out. And honestly? I’m okay with that.

“When given the choice, Renaissance Souls prefer to be governed by our own energy rather than by a schedule, calendar, or “to-do” list. We may write down an activity in our planner, such as going to the library or doing research on Thursday morning. When Thursday comes, if we feel like doing research, we’ll be dynamic at it. But should we not feel that energy, in two seconds flat we’ll be out chatting up clients, developing a new system for our files, walking the dog or doing any one of the other million and one things we find interesting and worthwhile. Even we may find this go-with-the-flow process frustrating at times. Nevertheless, it’s a plain truth about how many Renaissance Souls operate.”

• Dear God,  did I write this paragraph? My brother and I are on opposite ends of the spectrum. He’s the Mozart—knew what he wanted to do since age 10 and never wavered. And me? I’m the Ben Franklin of the family. Oh boy, does that frustrate him—and plenty of other friends and family members!
• Choose five of the fifty values that are most important to you right now.
  • Community
  • Health (emotional and physical)
  • Home
  • Learning,
  • Security
• I also made small marks next to: Affection. Creativity. Family. Love. Pleasure.

“If you’re saying something is important in your life but you aren’t spending time on it, then you need to change either what you say your values are, or the way you spend your time. Checking your scheduled for activities that aren’t truly important to you is one way to clear out space for the things that do matter.”

• Uh, I have to get serious about my health and exercising. Now.
• And this is where the focal points come in. Choose 4 focal points and current passions
  • Physical Health and Exercise
  • Writing
  • Involvement in Community
  • Reading/Learning

“Here’s an idea. Instead of toiling away at a job that drains away every ounce of your vital life force, why not pick a J.O.B that carries one or more of your Renaissance Focal Points forward? A J.O.B. should provide at least one of the following benefits, a really great one will give you two or three.”

1. Income or benefits- Insurance, Flexible Schedules (CHECK!)
2. Energy-a J.O.B, that balances your energy. (CHECK!)
3. Time- a J.O.B may save you time if you’re allowed to read, make phone calls or work on the computer or maybe offers up free time because of an easy commute (Check! Check! Check!)
4. Training and equipment (Check!!!!!)
5. Networking and publicity opportunities (HOLY SHIT CHECK!)

• I HAVE THE PERFECT J.O.B. right now!!!! (If only it paid, oh, I don’t know… three more dollars an hour. That would be nice.)
• No wonder I’m hesitant to move on! I have a flexible schedule, health insurance, opportunities to take trainings and volunteer in the community, and networking up the WAZOO (this social beast sits at the front desk!). Plus, when I’m not answering phones or handling my basic job duties, I can read, write, play, talk—whatever I want.
• And to top it all off? I live just a mile away. I should be walking to work. Wow.

At this point, the rest of the book wasn’t quite as useful for this particular Renaissance Soul. However, the author did include an excellent list of Relevant Readings at the end. Great. Just what I need—more books to add to my reading list. Wait… reading is one of my current focal points! Woo hoo!