Why I Chose Versatility Over Multi-Tasking?
Versatility vs. Multi-tasking, what it means, and my journey of achieving my ultimate happiness…
While multi-tasking may or may not be a myth, I have made peace within myself and found happiness in being a versatile writer. Many people may or may not agree with my perspective and my point of view on multi-tasking but I have found profound peace and happiness in sticking to what I love doing best-Writing. Maybe in the future, there may be a hidden desire to experiment with something different and it might just come to the surface, but for now, I stand by what I love the most. I have walked the dusty and unpredictable road of life and at every bend, there is a surprise waiting for me to be discovered. Let’s see which mystery box I have to unravel next.
There is a thin line that differentiates two words versatility and multi-tasking. While on one level they may be synonymous with one another, but they are both different in terms of meaning and definition.
According to the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary. ‘’Versatility means embracing a variety of subjects, fields or skills or also turning with ease from one thing to another. Whereas multi-tasking means the ability of a person to do more than one task at the same time’’.
I knew from my teenage years that I was born a versatile multi-tasker. After working as a teacher I returned home to mundane household chores which I juggled with aplomb. This went on for many years leaving me feeling frustrated and creatively dissipated as I had no energy to do what I wanted. I never really enjoyed reading my favourite books or watching popular TV shows. But I had no choice and continued doing so for many years. Wanting to foray into too many fields was the biggest blunder of my life and I am happy that I put an end to it.
It was only ten years ago that I decided to put an end to my superwoman image and don the versatility hat. But how did I manage to cut the unwanted baggage that was weighing down on me? The road was not easy and gaining a sure ground took a lot of time and patience. The results were nothing short of a miracle and my key takeaways are a witness to my newfound confidence along with boundless energy and enthusiasm.
Being a creative person my brain has been a breeding ground for the birth of many fertile ideas. I have been blessed with a good voice and strong communication skills. Along with a steady career in teaching, I also wanted to hone my skills as a voice-over artist as well as learn singing. This was twenty-five years ago when the choice of careers was very limited and a career as a voice-over artist was practically unheard of. My attempts at becoming one were out of reach and pursuing a singing career after my teaching schedule was becoming not only stressful and time-consuming as I had to practice even at home after a two-hour session with my music guru.
Doors for a more fulfilling career in teaching, as well as writing, were gradually opening up. I had by then figured out that multi-tasking and being over-ambitious was taking a toll on my health and at the same time was a waste of time, money, effort, and energy. I had to have huge reserves of energy for my teaching career as my job demanded me to be on my toes. Working with children was a challenge but the results were always gratifying.
By 2005 I already bought myself a computer and the internet had opened doors for a freelancing career in writing. My parents were becoming elderly and they needed constant care and attention. I was in the fifteenth year of my teaching stint and I realized that I needed to hang up my boots and move towards my passion- writing.
My stint as a Journalist for a local magazine in my city gave me the much-needed impetus to move forward in my writing journey. Gradually other doors for challenging roles in the world of publishing opened up as well. Here the brutal truth about multi-tasking reared its ugly head once again. Again the question of whether I liked editing others’ work or writing and editing my work would give me the satisfaction that no other job would.
I knew I needed a job that would sustain me financially in the long run. But which job was I carved out for? I had no degree in medicine, engineering, or technology neither was I an MBA. I was a post-graduate in History with a Diploma in Teaching. I had teaching experience, but did I want to go back to teaching? No. Then what? I asked myself.
All my life I have been answering my questions and finding solutions to my problems. The more I looked for external factors to give me the answers the more I was getting caught in a web of lies and illusions. No answer or solution was good enough. Then something happened in 2019 The Pandemic! It was a journey of resurrection for me. I started getting freelance clients and a not-so-steady income followed suit. The situation was not bad but they were not good enough either. I wanted a steady income from my writing which was not happening. What should I do? Wait said a voice within me. So I waited and a miracle happened in 2023 this year. I got hired by a real estate and a construction company as a Content Creator who again had to multi-task within the organization. This made me take a hard look at all the practical things of life. I needed an income and had to be financially independent.
I joined the organization with an open heart and a growth mindset. While it is a full-time job and I am enjoying myself, multi-tasking stops the moment I step out of my office. Once I am home I just relax and rejuvenate only to charge my batteries to get up early next morning to work on my writing. I have done away with multi-tasking in different fields in my personal life and have brought meaningful versatility along with a mature outlook on life.
While I am a multi-tasker in my professional life, in my personal life I am a versatile writer and editor. Gone are the days when I was over-ambitious and ran around like a crazy woman trying to achieve too much leading to stress and total burnout.
This decision has led me to become free in mind, body, and spirit. Every day is a new beginning and I look forward to my writing career with a lot of renewed enthusiasm and eagerness. Working for myself has been the greatest gift that I have given myself.
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