Cant Pick One Passion Heres Why Thats A Good Thing

Cant Pick One Passion Heres Why Thats A Good Thing Career paths today are much less straightforward than in the past.More and mora people are choosing to take mora creative, self-directed routes to success, breaking old norms and rules in the process.Many millennials have embraced the Slash Career -- hybrid combos like actor/playwright/freelance writer, lawyer/journalist, or copywriter/coder/career coach.But as prevalent as the Slash Career is, it can feel uncomfortable at times. Juggling multiple professional identities can lead you to feel like you still dont have things figured out, making the classic networking ice-breaker question So, what do you do? incredibly nerve-wracking. If youre a teacher but also a freelance copywriter who dabbles in social media consulting on nights and weekends, what do you do really? How do you wrap up your complex personal brand into a 30-second elevator pitch?First of all, this conundrum the hybrid career fueling multiple passions, and providing mu ltiple streams of income, but also leaving you feeling rootless and uncategorized is super common and leid a new concept. Anyone who works while actively raising children, which has been commonplace for decades, is technically living a Slash lifestyle. If generations before you have survived and flourished with Slash Careers, so can you.But like I said, it can be awkward. If youre feeling occasionally iffy about your hybrid work-life, focus on these upsidesYoure mora interestingYou know those people at a dinner party or cocktail hour that have the most fascinating stories or seem to know a lot about a huge range of topics? Staying engaged in different types of employment means youre being steadily informed in a variety of areas and collecting life experiences at a faster rate than if you were singly devoted to one job.Your skill set is well-roundedWhatever skills youre honing in one area of your career are undoubtedly serving you well in your other pursuits. Developing strong editi ng skills as a writer makes you a more articulate speaker. Being well-versed in finance helps you manage your side income, and so on. Each job enhances the other, arming you with a robust skill set.Youre a networking machineYour numerous vocations expose you to that many more potential contacts. Even if traditional networking doesnt come naturally to you, working in a cross-section of functions and fields automatically merges your path with others who you wouldnt necessarily meet if you were confined to practicing your craft in one area.Youre never boredWhen youre feeling unenthused by one line of work, you can turn to its complement to find new inspiration. Having multiple vocations energizes different parts of your brain and keeps your creative juices flowing.Youre financially secureNo matter your areas of expertise, the fact that you have multiple sources of income leaves you in a relatively solid position should one revenue stream fall through. Those with one full-time job face a single point of failure if theyre laid off, fired, or decided to leave, theyre left with few financial options. Meanwhile, your hybrid career provides you extra cushion and flexibility to adapt in the face of financial challenges and multiplies the opportunities you have to earn more.Okay, so you realize that having a Slash Career can be pretty great. But how to deal with the downsides? Namely, the inner confusion over how to define yourself, the fear that youre not giving enough to any one of your pursuits and the stress over resumes and interviews when your background is so multidimensional.Here s a few points to rememberWhat you resist, persistsThe fact is, the Slash Career is much more widely adopted than you think. Next time you have the chance, ask your coworkers, college friends, or other acquaintances what theyre up to in their spare time. Youll be surprised how many share that theyve got a freelance gig on the docket. Chances are that as you realize how common hybrid work actually is today, the stigma you feel will fade.Make it work for youInstead of thinking of your Slash Career as a disadvantage, think of it as a leg up. Having a mixture of subject matter on your resume gives you much more to talk about with a hiring manager and sets you apart from unilateral applicants. In an increasingly competitive job market, bringing manifold skills to the table is only a good thing.Find the common threadOne of the secrets to becoming more comfortable with your Slash Career is doing some examination of the deeper themes that tie together the different elements of your interests. Think with the end goal in mind that, in total, you want to create a body of work greater than the sum of its parts.Probably the best thing about having a hybrid professional identity is that nothing is cookie-cutter. Careers are no longer one-size-fits all, rather, you now have the chance to perfectly tailor your professional path to your dreams and aspirations.Despite the flashes of self-doubt and insecurity, you have to admit its pretty great to have a life packed with a variety of interesting, fulfilling projects that not only foster a range of skills, but also nourishes your passions.--A version of this article originally appeared on Forbes.Melody Wilding helps ambitious women and female entrepreneurs master their inner psychology for success and happiness. She teaches human behavior at The City University of New York and is a nationally recognized Master Coach who distills psychological insights into actionable career advice. Learn more atmelodywilding.com.Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer