How I Handle Multiple Interests (without Burnout)

The Latin root of “decide” means to cut-off.

We’re not choosing to do 1 thing: we’re cutting off everything else. It’s not picking 1 path but cutting off all others. Every choice is a vote for what we value.

It’s why choosing is so difficult.

When I don’t choose, everything remains possible. All paths, all universes, all worlds remain possible where everything happens. For me, I face this each time I choose which interests to try.

I struggle to choose.

Or worse, I’d try to do everything. My plate would fill up. I’d ride the addictive high of knocking items off a to-do list and keeping my calendar filled with activities.

The hypodermic needle of busy-work ensnared me in a cage I built without realizing it.

I’d crash every night and day. Exhausted. Glass shards would split my brain apart till I collapsed. I caught myself before I before I kissed the marble floor. My arms shook from exhaustion.

I couldn’t think. I couldn’t decide. I was stuck with everything in my head.

“I can’t keep going like this”, I thought.

I grabbed my notebook and wrote.

How I Handle Multiple Interests:

I listed all my interests in 2 columns: subjects & skills to learn. Then I listed 4 quarters of the year in columns and broken down the average human life span into decades as the rows.

Instead of trying to do everything all at once, I focused on a one topic each quarter.

The goal wasn’t to master everything. It was learning enough to be 'dangerous'. Pursue all interests with timing, focus, and strategy.

I didn’t worry about making the right choice.

Instead, I focused on making the choice right.

Maybe this plan isn’t going to help me pursue my interests. Or maybe it does. I can’t control the outcome, only make the best choice given what I know.

I don’t focus on the perfect choice; I focus more on what I can do to improve the situation.

• If the job you chose isn't what you thought it was, what can you do to make it worthwhile?

• If the project isn't as fulfilling as you want, how can you make it more meaningful?

We can't always make the right choice.

But we can choose to make the choice right.