Ever since I was little, I’ve hated being labeled. I equated the feeling to being put inside a box and expected to stay within the lines. It made me want to blow that top of the box, step out, and prove that label wrong. I attribute this feeling to being a generalist as an adult.
It took me a long time to realize that it was okay to be a generalist–or multi-passionate and multi-faceted, as I call it. I recently read Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein. In short, the book discusses how those who have enrolled in different sports or have explored interdisciplinary studies can see connections and patterns that others cannot.
For example, my background as a teacher and personal struggle with mental health allow me to empathize more deeply with my students and those that I work with than those who may not have had those experiences. This experience and background are why I’ve decided to encourage my daughter to try everything on her heart; within means, of course.
Raising a Generalist
My daughter is seven years old. She has tried dance, gymnastics, cheer, soccer, singing, swimming, horseback riding, and musicals. To be honest, I’m sure I am missing something. To avoid burnout and to teach commitment, we never do two sports or activities at once, and once something is started, she has to finish it.
Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of comments and questions about why she has tried so much, and that we’re pressuring her too much. But what people don’t see are the conversations we have as a family, and the growth I have seen in her. Before our daughter turned five, she was extremely shy in new situations. It took her a good hour before she would talk to certain new people she met. I remember when she was four, playing soccer, and she refused to get on the field if there were any “boy coaches.”
While those fears are still there sometimes for her when trying new things, they aren’t as loud. Her ability to talk to herself and remind herself that she has done this before helps. She has learned resilience by constantly trying new things. And she has learned how to apply skills she is learning in one area to other areas in her life. Making friends is easy for her because she is constantly in situations where she may not know anyone.
Our daughter knows she can feel safe to try something new. These experiences have empowered her to discover herself and find her “thing.” She is constantly looking for new ways to grow and go outside her comfort zone. She knows she can do anything she sets her mind and heart to start.
The Proof
Over the past year, I started a virtual and in-person community group for all women in the Downriver area to connect, be inspired, and learn from one another. The best part is that children are welcome at all of our gatherings. My daughter runs the children’s area where she plans all of the crafts, how they will introduce each other, and picks the movie they will watch.
Over the past six months, I’ve watched my daughter blossom. Her confidence has grown. She has become a connector, always introducing her old friends to her new ones. Our daughter puts a lot of pressure on herself, and these nights allow her to be a kid but also grow her leadership skills.
She has said with pride that when she grows up, she wants to be an entrepreneur and a traveling wildlife veterinarian. If that statement alone doesn’t prove the power of being a generalist and multi-passionate, I don’t know what does.
As she grows and her interests change, we will continue encouraging her to try new things. Our conversations as a family may change as we focus on how the hard and soft skills she learns in gymnastics can be used in swimming. Or how her experience with leading the children’s area of our monthly events can help her on stage. Regardless of what she decides to do, I truly hope she knows that we will always support whatever direction she chooses and recognizes the connections and skills she has learned from trying new things.
My Advice for Raising a Generalist
We have heard comments from people regarding how many “things” our daughter has tried. It has made me second-guess my decision multiple times. But, I’ve realized that not only are we raising a generalist, we are also encouraging her to find herself. We are showing her that she doesn’t have to fit in a box and can create her own path in life. Her confidence in leadership skills and owning who she is has grown so much in the past few years.
My advice to anyone with kids who show interest in multiple things is to let them. Let them discover, play, learn, make mistakes, fail, and forge their own path. That is what childhood is all about. We need leaders like them to show the world that there is nothing wrong with being unique and a generalist.
