Learning Without Limits: My Journey as a Multipotentialite

A few years ago, I inherited my grandfather’s motorcycle. It had been sitting hidden in the garage, untouched for 25 years, and I had no idea if it would even run again. I was curious—could I figure out how to bring it back to life? I didn’t have a background in motorcycle repair, just a mechanical engineering degree from 20 years ago—but that didn’t stop me.

Most of my projects begin with a spark of curiosity or an idea I can’t shake. I’m someone who loves exploring new topics on a frequent basis, always jumping between interests. Over the years, I’ve built products, software applications, designed 3D-printed parts, flown FPV drones, and even experimented with indoor farming and many more. But as exciting as it is to learn new things, I’ve also struggled with staying focused and making meaningful progress before my curiosity leads me to the next thing.

If that sounds in any way familiar—someone who thrives on variety but sometimes feels stuck or overwhelmed by unfinished projects—here’s what I’ve learned about making the most of this way of working.

Learning by Doing

I’ve found that the fastest way to learn something is to just start doing it. Tutorials are great, but they can only take you so far. It’s helpful to start with the essentials, but the real learning happens when you face a problem and have to figure out a solution yourself.

For example, when I wanted to build a web application with a GIS-based map editor, I didn’t sit down and try to master geospatial databases first. I jumped in, learned just enough to make things work, and solved problems as they came up. That hands-on approach helped me get comfortable much faster than any amount of passive studying would have.

The Trap of Trying to Be an Expert

For a long time, I felt pressured to master every new skill—to become the expert in it. But I’ve realized that’s not how I work best. As a polymath and multipotentialite, I’m drawn to learning a little about many things rather than specializing deeply. And that’s okay. But society and various online sources suggest you need to pick one thing, master it, and stick with it—but I don’t believe that’s the only path to success.

The key is to learn just enough to achieve your immediate goal. When I got into CAD again after years away, I didn’t try to become a SolidWorks (or Fusion) master overnight. Instead, I focused on creating functional designs and products to be able to print them in my 3D printer. That shift—from ‘I need to be an expert’ to ‘I just need to know enough to build something cool’—kept me motivated without feeling overwhelmed.

Short-Term Projects Keep Things Interesting

One of the most difficult challenges of being a multipotentialite is avoiding burnout or boredom. I’ve found that breaking projects into shorter time frames helps me stay engaged. A three- to four-month project window works well for me—long enough to get deep into something, but not so long that I lose interest. I pick up new skills quickly, which helps me get hands—on right away. Of course, some projects hold my attention for years. But having a rough time frame in mind helps prevent me from getting stuck in something that no longer excites me.

Tracking Progress So You Don’t Feel Stuck

Because I jump between projects, it’s easy to feel like I’m not making progress with anything at all. That’s why I try to document what I’m working on—sometimes as simple as a to-do list, sometimes by sharing updates on my blog (that is actually the plan).

Having something to look back on makes a huge difference. It reminds me of how much I’ve actually learned, even if I didn’t “finish” everything. Furthermore, if I have a proper list of what was done and what the next steps are, it is so much easier to later pick up the project where you left it.

Connecting the Dots Between Skills

One of the best things about being a generalist is that every new skill builds on something else. When I started learning FPV drones piloting, my background in CAD and 3D printing helped me design and repair my parts. When I built my map editor, my programming experience and my interest in cartography helped me pick up GIS concepts much faster.

Instead of feeling like you’re always starting from scratch, look for connections between what you already know and what you’re trying to learn. It makes the process much smoother. This way you also reiterate on skills and knowledge you maybe earned a long time ago, but by refreshing it, it will become actual knowledge again.

Knowing When to Move On

This one was tough for me. I used to feel guilty about abandoning projects, but now I see it differently. As a multipotentialite, it’s natural to pivot when your curiosity shifts. The trick is to recognize when you’ve gotten what you need out of a project and not force yourself to keep going if your energy is elsewhere.

For years, I was deep into video game development. I loved it, but eventually, my interests shifted to product design and engineering. It felt like the right time to move on, and I’ve never regretted it. Looking back, every project taught me something that I still use today. And you never know if I would not pick up the topic in the future again and fall in love once more.

The Danger of Over-Investing

I’ve made the mistake of throwing money at new interests before knowing if they’d actually stick. When I got into indoor farming, I bought all kinds of equipment, only to move on after a few months. I still grow microgreens occasionally, but I didn’t need all that gear.

Now, I try to invest time before investing money. I start with the tools I have, and if I’m still excited about something after a while, then I consider upgrading. Before I actually bought my first FPV drone, I purchase the radio controller and used it for weeks in a simulator to see if the interest would stick.

Celebrate Small Wins

Finally, I’ve learned to appreciate progress, even when it’s not perfect. It’s easy to get caught up in what you haven’t done, but looking back at what you have accomplished can be incredibly motivating.

When I started fixing my grandfather’s motorcycle, I had no idea if I’d ever get it running and reassembled. But every small success—getting the engine to turn over, solving multiple tricky mechanical issues—was a reason to keep going. And eventually, after a lot of trial and error, I got it back on the road (not fully yet - but my house renovation project paused it). Fixing my grandfather’s motorcycle taught me that learning is never linear. There are setbacks, pivots, and unexpected detours—but every challenge makes you better equipped for the next one.

That’s the beauty and challenges of learning as a multipotentialite. You don’t have to master everything. You just have to be curious, start small, track your learnings and keep moving forward.

I’d love to hear from other curious minds—what’s a skill you picked up recently? Or a project you paused but hope to revisit?