Refuse to Choose!

1. Embrace your Scanner identity: You're not flawed, you're multitalented

You are the owner of a remarkable, multitalented brain trying to do its work in a world that doesn't understand who you are and doesn't know why you behave as you do.

Scanners are unique. They possess an exceptional gift: the ability to be interested in and pursue multiple fields simultaneously. This trait, often misunderstood as a lack of focus or commitment, is actually a powerful asset in today's rapidly changing world. Scanners have:

• Broad knowledge across various disciplines
• Quick learning abilities and adaptability
• Creative problem-solving skills due to diverse perspectives

Society's misconception. The pressure to specialize and choose a single career path has led many Scanners to feel inadequate or flawed. However, this is a recent cultural shift, and throughout history, polymaths and Renaissance individuals were highly valued. Embracing your Scanner identity means:

• Recognizing your diverse interests as strengths, not weaknesses
• Rejecting the notion that you must limit yourself to one field
• Cultivating your multiple talents and using them to your advantage

2. Understand your Rewards and Durations to navigate Scanner tendencies

When you lose interest in something, you must always consider the possibility that you've gotten what you came for; you have completed your mission.

Rewards drive interests. Scanners are motivated by specific rewards in their pursuits. These can vary from person to person but often include:

• Learning and discovery
• Problem-solving
• Creative expression
• Mastery of skills
• Social connection

Durations vary. The time a Scanner spends on a particular interest depends on how long it takes to achieve their desired reward. This explains why Scanners often move on from projects or interests that others perceive as unfinished. Understanding your personal Rewards and Durations helps:

• Alleviate guilt about not "finishing" projects
• Plan more effectively for future pursuits
• Recognize when you've achieved your goals, even if they differ from external expectations

3. Overcome Scanner panic by reframing time and setting achievable goals

You have no life-or-death decisions to make.

Reframe time perspective. Scanners often feel overwhelmed by the seemingly infinite number of interests they want to pursue and the limited time available. To combat this:

• Use a long-term wall calendar to visualize future opportunities
• Break down large goals into smaller, manageable tasks
• Recognize that you don't have to do everything at once

Set realistic goals. Instead of trying to master everything immediately, focus on:

• Quarterly or annual goals for different interests
• Rotating priorities to give attention to various projects
• Celebrating small achievements and progress in multiple areas

Reduce panic through action. Taking concrete steps, no matter how small, can alleviate anxiety about unfulfilled potential. Implement strategies like:

• The Backward Planning Flowchart to break down goals into actionable steps
• Creating accountability through Success Teams or mentors
• Using the "start small, start now" approach to overcome inertia

4. Break free from commitment phobia by redefining success

Scanners must commit to everything that interests them.

Redefine commitment. For Scanners, commitment doesn't mean dedicating a lifetime to a single pursuit. Instead, it means:

• Fully engaging with each interest for its natural duration
• Allowing yourself to move on when you've achieved your desired reward
• Recognizing that success can come from multiple, diverse experiences

Embrace flexibility. Rather than forcing yourself into a traditional career path, consider:

• The LTTL (Learn, Try, Teach, Leave) approach to projects and jobs
• Umbrella careers that allow for diverse experiences within a broader field
• Creating your own unique career path that accommodates multiple interests

Value growth over permanence. Success for a Scanner often looks different from traditional metrics. Focus on:

• Personal growth and learning from each experience
• The unique insights and skills gained from diverse pursuits
• How your varied experiences contribute to a rich, fulfilling life

5. Manage multiple interests with effective time and project management

If you're a Scanner, you'll find that the only useful and lasting way I've found to reduce fear is to reduce the danger that's causing it.

Implement structure. While Scanners thrive on variety, some level of organization is crucial for productivity. Consider:

• The School Day Model: Allocating specific time blocks for different interests
• The Avocation Station: Creating dedicated spaces for each project
• The Scanner Planner: A customized scheduling tool for multiple pursuits

Utilize Scanner-specific tools. Adapt traditional organizational methods to fit your unique needs:

• Scanner Daybook: A central place to capture ideas and progress across projects
• Three-Ring Binders or Project Boxes: Organized storage for multiple ongoing interests
• Kitchen Timer: For focused work sessions on different projects

Balance exploration and progress. Find ways to satisfy your curiosity while still moving forward:

• Set up "taster" sessions for new interests without full commitment
• Use the Rotating Priorities Board to give attention to various projects
• Implement the "start small, start now" approach for new ideas

6. Finish projects strategically, focusing on personal growth over external expectations

I'm convinced you're not supposed to finish 99 percent of the projects you start under the influence of the Good Feeling. But you should start them anyway.

Redefine "finishing." For Scanners, completion often means achieving a personal goal or satisfying curiosity, not necessarily producing a final product. Embrace this by:

• Celebrating the learning and growth from each project
• Using the Scanner's Finish to wrap up projects when you've gotten what you needed
• Creating a Life's Work Bookshelf to display and appreciate your diverse accomplishments

Focus on personal satisfaction. Instead of judging your projects by external standards:

• Set your own criteria for what constitutes a "finished" project
• Recognize the value in partial completion or exploration
• Use your experiences to inform and enrich future pursuits

Strategically complete key projects. While not every project needs to be finished, choose some to carry through to completion:

• Select projects that align with long-term goals or potential career paths
• Use accountability partners or deadlines to motivate follow-through
• Celebrate and showcase completed projects to build confidence and credibility

7. Identify your Scanner type to tailor your approach to work and life

Scanners aren't all alike.

Recognize Scanner diversity. Understanding your specific Scanner type can help you design a more fulfilling life and career. Common types include:

• Cyclical Scanners: Return to the same interests repeatedly
  • Double Agents: Torn between two major interests
  • Sybils: Juggle many recurring interests
  • Plate Spinners: Thrive on managing multiple projects simultaneously
• Sequential Scanners: Move from one interest to the next, rarely looking back
  • Serial Specialists: Dive deep into one area before moving to the next
  • Serial Masters: Seek to master skills in various fields
  • Jack-of-All-Trades: Enjoy learning and applying diverse skills
  • Wanderers: Explore widely without a specific end goal
  • Samplers: Seek to experience a little of everything
  • High-Speed Indecisives: Rapidly move between interests

Tailor your approach. Once you identify your Scanner type, you can:

• Choose appropriate Life Design Models that suit your natural tendencies
• Select careers that complement your Scanner style
• Implement tools and strategies specific to your type of Scanner

8. Leverage your Scanner traits for unique career opportunities

There are many reasons Scanners finish before anyone expects them to, but they all have the same pattern: While the interesting part was there to keep them, Scanners stayed. When it was gone, they left.

Identify Scanner strengths. Scanners possess unique qualities that can be highly valuable in the workplace:

• Rapid learning and adaptability
• Broad knowledge base for creative problem-solving
• Ability to see connections across diverse fields
• Enthusiasm for new challenges and experiences

Explore Scanner-friendly careers. Consider roles that value versatility and quick thinking:

• Consultants or troubleshooters
• Researchers or information brokers
• Journalists or writers covering diverse topics
• Entrepreneurs or project managers
• Motivational speakers or teachers

Create your own path. Many Scanners find success by:

• Developing Umbrella Careers that encompass multiple interests
• Creating businesses that leverage their diverse skills
• Pursuing portfolio careers with multiple part-time or freelance roles
• Alternating between different careers or fields over time

9. Design a life that accommodates your diverse interests and talents

You must explore the workings of who you are, not who you believe you ought to be.

Embrace your unique rhythm. Design your life to match your natural tendencies:

• Use Life Design Models like the School Day Model or the Repertoire Model
• Implement tools like the Rotating Priorities Board or Quarterly Creative Projects
• Create physical spaces that support multiple interests, like Avocation Stations

Balance structure and flexibility. Find ways to satisfy your need for variety while maintaining progress:

• Use the Good Enough Job to support your diverse pursuits
• Implement the Alternating Current Model to switch between different modes of work
• Create your own Private Museum or Annual Show-and-Tell Party to celebrate your diverse accomplishments

Cultivate a supportive environment. Surround yourself with people and resources that nurture your Scanner nature:

• Join or create Scanner support groups or Success Teams
• Attend Soirees or organize learning events that cater to diverse interests
• Educate friends and family about your Scanner identity to gain understanding and support

By embracing your Scanner identity and implementing these strategies, you can create a fulfilling life that honors your multifaceted nature and allows you to thrive in a world that increasingly values versatility and adaptability.

Last updated: September 18, 2024