“How to Be Everything” by Emilie Wapnick is a revitalizing and empowering guide for individuals with a plethora of career interests who have often been misunderstood, labeled as scattered, lazy, and lacking ambition. Wapnick challenges the notion that there is something inherently wrong with having multiple passions and provides invaluable insights on how to harness these interests to create a fulfilling life. In her book, she breaks down the barriers and misconceptions surrounding multiple potentiality, offering practical advice and strategies to embrace and leverage one’s natural inclinations towards everything.
One of the book’s central messages is that there is tremendous value in having a broad range of interests. Wapnick highlights the unique gifts that multiple potentialites possess, such as idea synthesis, rapid learning, adaptability, big picture thinking, and the ability to relate and translate concepts across different domains. By reframing these qualities as strengths rather than weaknesses, she encourages readers to embrace their multifaceted nature and celebrate the varied nature of their passions.
A key theme explored in “How to Be Everything” is the idea that the main obstacle to success for multipotentialites is not their perceived flakiness but a lack of resources. Wapnick asserts that society often fails to provide the necessary tools and support for individuals with diverse interests to thrive. By providing practical strategies, resources, and frameworks, she empowers readers to design their lives, not just their careers, in a way that brings about a deeper sense of fulfillment.
Wapnick’s book offers valuable guidance on self-identification and finding the work model that best suits one’s unique combination of interests. She discusses the common stumbling blocks that multipotentialites face, such as the challenge of knowing when to quit a pursuit, not because it is too difficult, but because it no longer presents a meaningful challenge. Wapnick addresses these obstacles head-on in a way that most authors give up on. Her book aims to help readers navigate the twists and turns of their varied passions and make informed decisions about their career paths, without pretending that the only way around it is to drop everything.
The strength of “How to Be Everything” lies in its practicality and relatability. Wapnick shares her own personal experiences as a multipotentialite, making the book feel like you’re having a conversation with a friend rather than a rigid self-help manual. Her empathetic tone and authentic storytelling create a safe space for readers to embrace their multipotentiality and gain confidence in their abilities.
In a world that often pressures individuals to conform to a single career path or specialization, “How to Be Everything” stands as a beacon of hope and understanding. It offers validation to those who have felt helpless despite actually being more capable than most.
“How to Be Everything” is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt burdened by their multiple interests and struggled to find their place in a world that values specialization. Emilie Wapnick’s insightful book not only challenges societal norms but also provides them with tools to embrace a life that celebrates the richness of diverse passions. By breaking down the reader’s own misgivings about themselves, Wapnick paves the way for a future where the diverse interests of multifaceted people can shine.
