The Renaissance Soul

1. Embrace Your Renaissance Soul: Variety is Your Strength

Your desire to follow many (and frequently changing) interests is one of the best things about you.

Beyond the Single Path: The Renaissance Soul thrives on variety, not single-minded focus. Unlike the "Mozart" who dedicates their life to one passion, the Renaissance Soul, like "Ben Franklin," is energized by exploring multiple interests, whether simultaneously, sequentially, or in rotation. This isn't a flaw, but a strength, a capacity for broad engagement with the world.

• Simultaneous: Pursuing multiple interests at once (e.g., a clown who is also a Holocaust educator).
• Rotating: Changing activities with the seasons or life stages (e.g., a gardener who quilts in the winter).
• Sequential: Moving from one passion to another over time (e.g., an aviator turned sales executive turned writer).

Redefining Success: The Renaissance Soul's definition of success is not about climbing a single ladder, but about mastering new challenges. Once a challenge is met, the Renaissance Soul is ready to move on, seeking new learning curves and fresh experiences. This approach values growth and evolution over rigid adherence to a plan.

Dispelling Myths: It's crucial to understand that being a Renaissance Soul is not a disorder, a sign of being a dilettante, or a lack of focus. It's a valid and valuable personality trait that should be embraced, not suppressed. It's about a preference for variety, a working style that emphasizes growth, and a definition of success based on challenges mastered, not rungs climbed.

2. Values First: Your Compass for Passion

If you separate your actions from your integrity, you will end up sabotaging yourself.

Values as a Guide: Before diving into your many interests, it's essential to identify your core values. These values act as a compass, guiding your decisions and ensuring that your actions align with your deepest beliefs. This process helps you avoid the trap of chasing fleeting interests that don't truly resonate with you.

• "Five from Fifty" exercise: Choose your top five values from a list of fifty.
• "Many Circles" exercise: Rank ten life goals in order of importance.
• "Throw Your Own Birthday Party" exercise: Imagine what others would say about you at your 80th birthday.

Beyond "Shoulds": Identifying your values helps you distinguish between what you truly want and what you think you should want. It allows you to make choices based on your own internal compass, not on external pressures or expectations. This process can reveal hidden desires and neglected areas of your life.

Values in Action: Once you've identified your values, it's crucial to align your actions with them. This involves evaluating your current activities and eliminating those that don't reflect your core beliefs. The "Mine/Theirs" exercise helps you identify activities that are driven by your values versus those driven by others' expectations.

3. Focus, Not Choice: The Power of Renaissance Focal Points

We’re much more inclined to pursue a slew of interests than to narrow our options to a single one.

The Ice Cream Sampler: Instead of being paralyzed by the need to choose just one interest, embrace the concept of "Renaissance Focal Points." Think of it like an ice cream sampler: you can choose a few flavors to enjoy at a time, knowing that you can try different combinations later. This approach allows you to engage with multiple interests without feeling scattered.

Four (or so) Key Interests: The Renaissance Focal Point strategy involves selecting three to five key interests to focus on for a specific period. These interests can be pursued simultaneously, sequentially, or in rotation. The key is to choose interests that excite you and allow you to grow.

• Simultaneous: Pursuing multiple interests at once (e.g., a musician who is also a software developer).
• Rotating: Changing activities with the seasons or life stages (e.g., a writer who also gardens and travels).
• Sequential: Moving from one passion to another over time (e.g., a teacher who becomes a chef).

Focus vs. Restriction: The goal of Focal Points is not to restrict your options, but to provide a framework for action. By focusing on a few key interests, you can avoid the paralysis of choice and channel your energy into meaningful pursuits. This approach allows you to experience the benefits of both variety and clarity.

4. J-O-Bs, Not Day Jobs: Aligning Work with Your Passions

Even if a need for benefits binds you to a job that’s not you, for longer than you’d ever want to be bound to anything, the J-O-B concept offered here may save your sanity!

Beyond the Paycheck: A "day job" is something you do just for the money, while a "J-O-B" is a strategic choice that aligns with your passions and moves you closer to your goals. A J-O-B is a means to an end, not an end in itself. It's a way to earn income while also nourishing your Renaissance Soul.

Five Criteria for a J-O-B: A good J-O-B should provide at least one of the following benefits:

• Income or benefits: A source of financial stability or health insurance.
• Energy: A job that doesn't drain your energy, but rather balances it.
• Time: A job that offers flexibility or allows you to pursue other interests.
• Training and equipment: Access to resources that can help you develop your skills.
• Networking and publicity opportunities: Connections that can help you advance your passions.

Shifting Your Identity: The key to making a J-O-B work is to shift your identity from your paid work to your passions. Instead of defining yourself by your job title, define yourself by your Focal Points. This allows you to see your work as a means to an end, not as your entire life.

5. Skill Capital: Translating Your Diverse Experiences

The people who are most secure are not those who pick one career and stick with it. They are the people who follow their passion—or passions.

Beyond the Linear Path: Renaissance Souls often worry that their diverse experiences will be seen as a liability. However, these experiences actually build "skill capital" that can be translated into new opportunities. Your varied background is a strength, not a weakness.

Translating Your Skills: Instead of starting at the bottom of the ladder each time you switch careers, learn to translate your skills into new contexts. For example, a teacher may have strong communication and organizational skills that are valuable in a business setting.

• Identify your transferable skills: What skills have you developed in your various roles?
• Highlight your adaptability: Emphasize your ability to learn new things and adapt to change.
• Frame your experience positively: Showcase your diverse background as a strength, not a weakness.

Passion as a Magnet: When you follow your passions, your performance sparkles, making you more attractive to potential employers. Your enthusiasm and dedication will set you apart from those who are simply going through the motions.

6. The Power of "Umbrellas": Combining Interests Under One Title

Under the umbrella of “innkeeper,” I could be a storyteller, interior decorator, publicity person, landscape gardener, gourmet breakfast chef, finance person, historian, travel guide, and workshop developer!

The Umbrella Concept: An "umbrella" career is a single job title that encompasses a variety of activities, allowing you to pursue multiple interests under one roof. This approach provides a sense of focus while still allowing for variety and exploration.

• Examples: A documentary filmmaker who explores diverse topics, a teacher who works with different age groups, or a business owner who wears many hats.

Two Types of Umbrellas:

• Repeated Activity: Applying the same skills to different subjects (e.g., a writer who explores various genres).
• Multiple Hats: Combining different skills under one title (e.g., an innkeeper who is also a chef, decorator, and historian).

Benefits of Umbrellas: Umbrellas provide a sense of focus, allow for variety, and can lead to expertise in multiple areas. They also offer a way to present your diverse interests in a way that is easily understood by others.

7. Commitment, Not Confinement: The PRISM Test for Action

The Renaissance Soul approach to life looks more like a tree branching out in myriad directions, some branches overlapping, some intertwining, and some just finding their own merry ways to the sunlight.

The PRISM Test: The PRISM test is a tool for evaluating your Focal Points and ensuring that they are aligned with your values and goals. It helps you make commitments without feeling confined.

• Price: What will it cost you in terms of time, money, and energy?
• Reality: What will the day-to-day experience of pursuing this Focal Point be like?
• Integrity: Why is this Focal Point important to you?
• Specificity: Can you define your Focal Point in concrete terms?
• Measurability: How will you measure success, and what is your deadline?

Intentions and Markers: In addition to the PRISM test, it's important to identify your intentions and create intention markers. Intentions are the inner qualities you'll need to succeed, while intention markers are specific actions that will help you stay on track.

Commitment with Flexibility: The PRISM test and intentions process help you make commitments without feeling trapped. They allow you to pursue your passions with focus and purpose, while still leaving room for change and evolution.

8. Time Magic: Working With, Not Against, Your Energy

We need lives and—yes—flexible plans that allow us to change direction and to respond eagerly to new possibilities.

Beyond Rigid Schedules: Traditional time-management techniques often fail Renaissance Souls because they don't account for our natural energy flow. Instead of trying to force yourself into a rigid schedule, learn to work with your own rhythms.

Focal Point Notebook: Use a notebook to track your ideas, tasks, and resources for each Focal Point. This notebook will serve as a central hub for all your activities.

Focal Point Calendar Blocks: Instead of scheduling specific tasks at specific times, block out chunks of time for your Focal Points. This allows you to choose activities that match your energy level at any given moment.

The M and M's: Determine how much time you want to spend on your Focal Points (Meaningful) and then see if that time is manageable with your other obligations. This approach ensures that you're prioritizing your passions without neglecting other important areas of your life.

9. Overcoming Momentum Blockers: Strategies for Staying the Course

It’s so easy to fall into the habit of doing what we’ve always done, out of the unexamined belief that it is “right.”

Anticipate Challenges: Even with the best planning, you'll inevitably encounter obstacles. It's important to anticipate these challenges and develop strategies for overcoming them.

• Identify your personal roadblocks: What has stopped you in the past?
• Develop coping mechanisms: What strategies have worked for you before?
• Create a support system: Who can you turn to for help when you're feeling stuck?

Common Momentum Blockers:

• Feeling overwhelmed: Break down large tasks into smaller steps.
• Perfectionism: Learn to be "perfectly imperfect" and focus on progress, not perfection.
• Boredom: Recognize boredom as a signal to change direction or try something new.
• Negative self-talk: Challenge your negative thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations.

The Mirror, Mirror Exercise: This exercise helps you identify patterns in how you ask for and respond to help, allowing you to improve your communication and collaboration skills.

10. Young Renaissance Souls: Thriving in a World of Possibilities

If you want to build a satisfying, textured life based on multiple interests and passions, treat this as your textbook and Lobenstine as your trusted advisor.

Early Recognition: If you've identified yourself as a Renaissance Soul early in life, you have a unique advantage. You can use this knowledge to make informed decisions about your education, career, and life design.

College Choices: When choosing a college, look for schools that offer a broad range of courses, interdisciplinary programs, and a variety of extracurricular activities. Don't be afraid to create your own path.

J-O-Bs and Beyond: Whether you choose to go to college, enter the workforce, or take a year off, remember that your true identity lies in your passions, not in your job title. Use your J-O-B to move your Focal Points forward.

Embrace the Journey: Your life as a Renaissance Soul will be a journey of exploration and discovery. Don't be afraid to change direction, try new things, and redefine success on your own terms.

11. The Power of "Why": Connecting Your Passions to a Purpose

Most of us have jobs that are too small for our spirits.

Beyond Self-Interest: While it's important to pursue your passions, it's also important to connect them to a larger purpose. When you understand why you're doing something, you're more likely to stay motivated and engaged.

Finding Your "Why":

• What impact do you want to have on the world?
• What problems do you want to solve?
• What values do you want to uphold?

The Gift of Your Passions: Your passions are not just for your own enjoyment; they are also a gift to the world. By sharing your talents and interests, you can make a positive difference in the lives of others.

A Life of Meaning: When you connect your passions to a larger purpose, you create a life that is both fulfilling and meaningful. You become part of something bigger than yourself, and your actions have a lasting impact.

Last updated: January 27, 2025