I am a multi-hyphenate
I am a multi-hyphenate.
What does that mean?
The Cambridge Dictionary defines a multi-hyphenate as “someone who has several different jobs, especially in the entertainment industry, with a job being the regular work that a person does to earn money.”
That definition doesn’t quite hit the mark, because:
Multi-hyphenates exist across various industries. Even before the term multi-hyphenate was popularised by Emma Gannon, the author of The Multi-Hyphen Method, there is One Person/Multiple Careers: The Original Guide to the Slash Career by Marci Alboher, with examples of people embracing the multi-hyphenate life for years.
Multi-hyphenates have vocations, not jobs. They engage in different types of work simultaneously, because the meaning and purpose they get from doing the work goes beyond exchanging time for money. Using the term vocation instead of job, also allows for unpaid skills to be recognised for their value, instead of being diminished for not meeting the financial marker.
I asked ChatGPT, and it gave me a more resonant definition:
“A multi-hyphenate is a person who has multiple professional roles or skills, often combining several distinct careers or talents. Multi-hyphenates are typically involved in diverse fields and are known for their versatility, creativity, and ability to juggle various roles simultaneously. This approach allows them to blend different talents into unique career paths and often brings innovation to the industries they work in. In today's world, the concept of being a multi-hyphenate has become more common, as more people seek to pursue diverse interests and adapt to the changing nature of work.”
Elizabeth Gilbert said the world is made up of jackhammers and hummingbirds. While the jackhammers have been lauded for their focus and mastery in one area of specialisation, hummingbirds are the increasing number of multi-hyphenates who cross-pollinate the world by following their curiosity.
We all wear many different hats in our personal lives. It may not be possible to wear all those hats at the same time. But rarely do people question your ability to have a strong relationship with a partner, while also maintaining firm bonds as a parent, child, sibling and friend. As multi-faceted beings, more and more of us are choosing to extend wearing several hats in our professional lives with great panache.
Before creating Bold Verity as a space for esoteric explorations, I had previous work incarnations in charity marketing communications, bespoke cake making, account management and graphic design. For years, I followed the jackhammer approach of choosing one thing and making it my professional focus. When I entered motherhood, that then became my focus, especially without access to affordable childcare then to make it financially viable to return to a conventional office-based role. Regardless of roles, choosing a jackhammer approach meant I felt I had to hide parts of myself in order to highlight one aspect of me. I unconsciously made myself smaller, so I could fit neatly into a checkbox that allowed other people to take me seriously by easily defining me as one thing.
Following some time out in the summer with family and friends, reflecting and recovering from a minor surgery, this feels like a rebirth into a new phase of work and life by embracing my hummingbird nature. To be me is to accept that I am multi-skilled and talented, with more than one interest in life worth pursuing for passion and/or profit. I am good at many things. Why should I limit myself to doing one thing – whatever that one thing is?
In this new hummingbird era, I’m following my curiosity to cross-pollinate the world. While I fully intend to continue with my esoteric explorations, I can also take on roles that tap into my previous professional experiences and other interests, extending my contribution beyond the current scope. To reframe life and career from linear to concentric circles (hat tip Nicole Kyle).
Moving forward, I will be engaging with more of my facets to create concentric circles connecting my varied skills and interests. The common thread that runs through them all, is my belief that tomorrow can be better than today, by choosing to do the right thing at the right time. To uplift, empower, make things brighter for myself and others, especially in the next two decades of volatility (hello Feng Shui Period 9 and Pluto in Aquarius).
I am a multi-hyphenate. And I choose to honour all parts of me, by cross-pollinating my diverse talents and passions to bloom and flourish wherever I’m planted.
