if you have ever been asked the question,

如果你曾經被問過以下這個問題，請舉手：

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

「當你長大後，你想要做什麼？」

(Laughter)

(笑聲)

Now, if you had to guess,

現在，你可以想想

how old would you say you were when you were first asked this question?

你在幾歲時首次遇上這問題？

You can just hold up fingers.

你可以用比的就好

Three, five, three, five, five; OK.

三歲、五歲、三歲、五歲、五歲

Now, raise your hand if the question

現在，如果這個問題

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" has ever caused you any anxiety.

「當你長大後，你想要做什麼？」曾經讓你焦慮，請舉手

(Laughter)

(笑聲)

Any anxiety at all.

任何焦慮都算

I'm someone who's never been able to answer the question,

我從來都沒辦法回答這個問題

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

「當你長大，你想做什麼？」

See, the problem wasn't that I didn't have any interests

問題不在於我沒有任何興趣

it's that I had too many.

而是我對各種事物都充滿熱情

In high school I liked English, and Math, and Arts, and I built websites,

高中時，我很喜歡英文、數學、和美術。我架設了網站

and I played guitar in a punk band called Frustrated Telephone Operator.

還在一個叫做「失意接線生」的龐克樂團裡擔任吉他手

(Laughter)

(笑聲)

Maybe you've heard of us.

說不定你聽過我們呢！

(Laughter)

(笑聲)

This continued after high school,

這份熱情持續到高中畢業

and at a certain point, I began to notice this pattern in myself,

就在某天，我開始注意到我的這個特質

where I would become interested in an area

我會對某個領域感興趣

and I would dive in, and become all consumed,

並且投入它、全神貫注

and I'd get to be pretty good at whatever it was,

對任何事物都駕輕就熟

and then I would hit this point where I'd start to get bored.

然後我又會來到這個轉折點，我開始覺得無聊

And usually, I would try and persist anyway

通常，我會一股腦兒的去嘗試和堅持不懈

because I'd already devoted so much time and energy,

因為我已經付出許多時間、精力

and sometimes money into this field.

甚至金錢在那領域上

But eventually, this sense of boredom, this feeling of, "Yeah, I've got this!

但最後，這種乏味感、這種「太好了！我成功了！

This isn't challenging anymore,"

這再也難不倒我了」的感覺

it would get to be too much, and I would have to let it go.

已經太超過了，我只能放下它

But then, I would become interested in something else,

這時，我就會對其他事情感興趣

something totally unrelated,

和先前完全不相關的事

and I would dive into that and become all consumed,

然後我會完完全全投入它

and I would feel like, "Yes, I found my thing!"

覺得「耶！我找到我的一片天了！」

And then I would hit this point again

然後我又會來到這個轉折點

where I'd start to get bored and eventually I would let it go.

我開始感到乏味，最終還是只能放棄它

But then I would discover something new and totally different,

但接下來，我又會找到全新且與眾不同的興趣

and I would dive into that...

而我又會投入一切......

This pattern caused me a lot of anxiety for two reasons:

這個模式造成了兩個讓我焦慮不已的原因：

the first was that I wasn't sure

其一是我不確定

how I was going to turn any of this into a career.

我要如何把這些志向變成職業

I thought that I would eventually have to pick one thing,

我認為到最後我一定得選出一樣志向

deny all my other passions and just resign myself to being bored.

捨棄其他的嗜好，臣服於乏味之中

The other reason it caused me so much anxiety

另一個帶給我萬分焦慮的理由

was a little bit more personal.

較關於個人隱私

I worried that there was something wrong with this

我擔心在這之中某個環節出錯了

and something wrong with me

我也出問題了

for being unable to stick with anything.

因為我缺乏定性

I worried that I was afraid of commitment, or that I was scattered,

我擔心我其實是懼怕做出承諾、擔心被擊潰

or that I was self sabotaging, afraid of my own success.

或是自我毀滅，恐懼於自己的成功

If you can relate to my story and to these feelings,

如果你能對我的故事還有這些情緒感同身受

I'd like you to ask yourself a question that I wish I had asked myself back then.

我想請你問自己一個問題，一個我希望當時我問自己的問題

Ask yourself where you learned

問問你自己，你從哪裡學到

to assign the meaning of wrong or abnormal to doing many things.

認為一次做很多事是反常的？

I'll tell you where you learnt it.

我來告訴你你是從哪學到的

You learnt it from the culture.

你是從文化裡學到的

When you were first asked the question,

當你第一次被問到

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

「當你長大後，你想要做什麼？」

you were about five years old,

你大概五歲左右

and the truth is that no one really cares what you say when you are that age.

而事實上，沒人會在意五歲的你說了什麼

(Laughter)

(笑聲)

It's considered an innocuous question

這只是一個無傷大雅的問題

posed to little kids to elicit cute replies.

為了誘導小孩做出可愛的回應

Like, "I want to be an astronaut," or "I want to be a ballerina,"

像是：「我想當太空人」、「我想當芭蕾舞者」

or "I want to be a pirate," - insert Halloween costume here.

或者「我想當海盜」─ 還要搭上萬聖節戲服

(Laughter)

(笑聲)

But this question is asked of us again and again

但我們卻一而再、再而三被問到這問題

as we get older in various forms.

當我們步入人生各個階段時

For instance,

比方說

high school students might get asked

高中學生可能面臨

what major they are going to pick in college.

他們大學該主修什麼科目的問題

And at some point, what do you want to be when you grow up

從某方面來說，「當你長大後，你想要做什麼？」

goes from being the cute exercise it once was

原本只是一個逗趣的小問題

to the thing that keeps us up at night.

到現在成為使人輾轉難眠的困擾

Why?

為什麼呢？

See, while this question inspires kids to dream about what they could be,

你看，這個問題啟發孩童去思考他們未來的志向

it does not inspire them to dream about all that they could be.

但這不代表啟發他們去夢想所有的志向

In fact, it does just the opposite.

事實上，現實與理想背道而馳

Because when someone asks you what you want to be,

因為當有人詢問你的志向時

you can't reply with 20 different things.

你不可能做出20種不同的回答

The well meaning adult will likely chuckle and be like,

出於好心而詢問的大人可能會笑著說：

"Oh, how cute, but you can't be a violin maker and a psychologist.

「天啊，真可愛。但你不可能同時當上小提琴工匠和心理學家的

You have to choose."

你必須選擇」

This is Doctor Bob Childs.

但Bob Childs博士就是其中一個例子

(Laughter)

(笑聲)

And he's a luthier and a psychotherapist.

他是一名製琴師兼精神治療師

And this is Amy Ng, a magazine editor,

這位是Amy Ng，一位雜誌編輯

turned illustrator, entrepreneur, teacher, and creative director.

同時又身兼插畫家、企業家、教師、以及創意總監

But most kids don't hear about people like this.

但大多數孩子普遍沒聽說過這類型的人

All they hear is that they are going to have to choose.

他們唯一聽過的就是要他們從中選擇

But it's more than that.

但這並不是唯一的道路

The notion of the narrowly focused life is highly romanticized in our culture.

過度侷限的人生概念在我們的文化中被高度理想化

It's this idea of destiny or the one true calling.

這就是命運的概念或是一個天職

The idea that we each have one great thing

也就是每個人在人世間

we are meant to do during our time on this Earth.

都有一樣我們命中注定該做的事

And you need to figure out

而你需要找出

what that thing is and devote your life to it.

那件事，然後把你的人生都奉獻於其中

But, what if you are someone who isn't wired this way?

但萬一你不是這類型的人呢？

What if there are a lot of different subjects

萬一你對許多不同的事物

that you're curious about?

都抱有興趣？

And many different things you want to do?

萬一你有很多不同的事情想嘗試呢？

Well, there is no room for someone like you in this framework.

在這刻板框架裡，沒有你的立足之地

And so you might feel alone.

所以，你可能會覺得孤身一人

You might feel like you don't have a purpose.

可能覺得漫無目的

You might feel like there is something wrong with you.

可能覺得出問題的是你

There is nothing wrong with you.

其實，你並沒有任何問題

What you are is a multipotentialite.

你是所謂的多重潛能者

(Applause)

(掌聲)

A multipotentialite is someone

多重潛能者指的是

with many interests and creative pursuits.

擁有許多興趣與追求創意的人

It's a mouthful to say.

這個字挺拗口的

It might help if you break it up into three parts:

但如果你把它分成三個部分就好多了

multi - potential - ite.

多重 - 潛能 - 者

You can also use one of the other terms that connote the same ideas,

你也可以用其他同義的字來表達這個概念

such is the polymath, the Renaissance person.

像是polymath（博學家）、Renaissance person（文藝復興時期的人）

Actually, during the Renaissance period

事實上，在文藝復興時期

it was considered the ideal to be well versed in multiple disciplines.

在各方面樣樣精通被認為是最理想的狀態

Barbara Sher refers to us as scanners.

Barbara Sher 把我們這種類型的人稱作scanners（原意為掃描器）

Use whichever term you like or invent your own.

你可以用任何你喜歡的字詞，或者自己想一個

I have to say I find it sort of fitting that as a community,

我必須說，我認為我們更像是一個團體

we cannot agree on a single identity.

而不是只有單一身分的人

(Laughter)

(笑聲)

It's easy to see your multipotentiality

我們很容易把自己的多重潛能

as a limitation or an affliction that you need to overcome.

看作是有待克服的限制及痛苦

But what I've learned through speaking with people

但透過與人們交流

and writing about these ideas on my website, Puttylike,

以及在Puttylike這網站記錄下這些想法，我學到了

is that there is some tremendous strengths to being this way.

身為一位多重潛能者其實帶來許多效益

Here are 3 multipotentialite super powers.

這是多重潛能者的3大超能力

One; idea synthesis.

一：綜合想法

That is combining two or more fields

也就是結合兩個或者多個領域

and creating something new at the intersection.

並在其交會處創造新思維

Sha Hwang and Rachel Binx drew from their shared interest in cartography,

Sha Hwang和Rachel Binx 在製圖學

data visualization, travel, mathematics, and design when they founded Meshu.

資料視覺化、旅遊、數學運算、以及設計方面有共同興趣，一起創立了Meshu

Meshu is a company that creates custom geographically inspired jewelry.

Meshu是一間製作以地理層面為靈感的珠寶飾品公司

Sha and Rachel came up with this unique idea

Sha和Rachel 想到這獨特的想法

not despite, but because of their eclectic mix

正是因為他們

of skills and experiences.

能將技巧及經驗兼容並蓄

Innovation happens at the intersections.

創新總會在交會處擦出火花

That's where the new ideas come from.

那就是新想法的源頭

And multipotentialites with all of their backgrounds

擁有各種與眾不同背景的多重潛能者

are able to access a lot of these points of intersection.

可以輕鬆地從這些交會點中得出新想法

The second multipotentialite superpower is rapid learning.

多重潛能者的第二項超能力為快速學習

When multipotentialites become interested in something - we go hard.

當我們多重潛能者對某件事有興趣時 -- 我們會全力以赴

We absorb everything we can get our hands on.

我們會從實做中吸收所學

We're also used to being beginners

我們也習慣當初學者

because we've been beginners so many times in the past.

因為我們在過去已經當過太多次了

And this means that we're less afraid of trying new things

這也代表我們較不會畏懼嘗試新事物

and stepping out of our comfort zones.

以及踏出舒適圈

What's more, many skills are transferable across disciplines.

此外，我們的許多技巧可以在各領域間流轉自如

And we bring everything we've learned to every new area we pursue

我們會把所學轉移到每一個新追求的領域中

so we're rarely starting from scratch.

所以我們很少從零開始

Nora Dunn is a full time traveler and freelance writer.

Nora Dunn 是位全職旅遊兼自由作家

As a child concert pianist,

身為一位兒童演奏會的鋼琴家

she honed an incredible ability to develop muscle memory.

她磨練出驚人的強化肌肉記憶的能力

Now she's the fastest typist she knows.

現在，她成為數一數二的打字快手

Before becoming a writer, Nora was a financial planner.

在成為作家前，Nora 是個理財顧問

She had to learn the finer mechanics of sales

當她開始執業時，她必須學習銷售的門道

when she was starting her practice,

當她開始執業時，她必須學習銷售的門道

and this skill now helps her write compelling pitches to editors.

而這訣竅現在讓她得以寫出說服力十足的銷售宣傳給編輯

It is rarely a waste of time to pursue something you are drawn to,

當你追求自己著迷的事物，那絕對稱不上是浪費時間

even if you end up quitting.

即使你最後放棄了

You might apply that knowledge in a different field entirely

你可能會把那份所學套用到一個不同的領域上

in a way you couldn't have anticipated.

以你意想不到的方式

The third multipotentialite super power is adaptability.

多重潛能者的第三樣超能力是適應性

That is the ability to morph

這種能力可以讓你在特定情境下依據你的需求隨機應變

into whatever you need to be in a given situation.

這種能力可以讓你在特定情境下依據你的需求隨機應變

Abe Cajudo is sometimes a video director, sometimes a web designer,

Abe Cajudo 有時候是名導演、有時是位網路設計師

sometimes a Kickstarter consultant, sometimes a teacher,

有時是募資網站Kickstarter的顧問、有時候是名老師

and sometimes, apparently, James Bond.

而有時候又是，很明顯地，詹姆士龐德

(Laughter)

(笑聲)

He's valuable because he does good work.

他為自己創造許多價值，因為他工作認真

He's even more valuable

他也為自己創造了更多價值

because he can take on various roles depending on his client's needs.

因為他能根據客戶的需求而身兼不同角色

Fast Company Magazine identified adaptability

Fast Company雜誌認為適應性

as the single most important skill to develop

是要能在21世紀發光發熱，須培養的重要技巧

in order to thrive in the 21st century.

是要能在21世紀發光發熱，須培養的重要技巧

The economic world is changing so quickly and unpredictably

經濟領域瞬息萬變、深不可測

that it is the individuals and organizations that can pivot

這時就是個體與組織在

in order to meet the needs of the market that are really going to thrive.

達到逐漸興盛的市場要求裡，扮演關鍵性的角色

Idea synthesis, rapid learning and adaptability.

綜合想法、快速學習、適應性

Three skills that multipotentialites are very adept at.

這三種技能是多重潛能者均非常在行的

And three skills that they might lose if pressured to narrow their focus.

但如果被迫侷限注意力，卻也會成為三種他們可能失去的技能

As a society, we have a vested interest

身為一個群體，鼓勵其他多重潛能者做自己

in encouraging multipotentialites to be themselves.

對我們是有益而無害的

We have a lot of complex, multidimensional problems in the world right now,

現今世界上有太多複雜又多面向的問題

and we need creative, out-of-the-box thinkers to tackle them.

我們需要有創意、能跳脫一般思維的人來解決它們

Now, let's say that you are in your heart a specialist.

假設你本來是某專科醫生

You came out of the womb

你來到了這世界

knowing you wanted to be a pediatric neurosurgeon.

然後，你發現你又想要當兒童神經外科醫師

Don't worry, there's nothing wrong with you either.

別擔心，問題也不是出在你身上

(Laughter)

(笑聲)

In fact, some of the best teams

事實上，有些最佳的團隊

are comprised of a specialist and a multipotentialite paired together.

都是由專家與多重潛能者組成的

A specialist can dive-in deep and implement ideas

專家可以深入探討並將想法付諸實行

while the multipotentialite brings a breadth of knowledge to the project.

而多重潛能者則能在企劃中提供廣博的知識

It's a beautiful partnership.

合作無間

But we should all be designing lives and careers

但我們也必須為自己設定好

that are aligned with how we are wired,

能和我們相契合的人生及志業

and sadly, multipotentialites are largely being encouraged

很不幸地，多重潛能者都被大肆鼓吹

simply to be more like their specialist peers.

要向他們的專家夥伴看齊

So, with that said;

所以，這麼說好了

if there's one thing you take away from this talk,

如果你能從今天這場演講中學到一課

I hope that it is this:

我希望是這個：

embrace your inner wiring whatever that may be.

請勇於聆聽自己內在的聲音，無論那是什麼

If you are a specialist at heart, then by all means, specialize.

如果你生來就適合當個專家，那麼就盡一切所能，專攻於某事上

That is where you'll do your best work.

這舞台能讓你發光發熱

But, to the multipotentialites in the room

但，對於其他多重潛能者

- including those of you who may have just realized

- 包含了在前12分鐘裡才明白

in the last 12 minutes that you are one -

自己也是其中一份子的你 -

(Laughter)

(笑聲)

to you I say: embrace your many passions,

我會說：勇於傾聽內心的多種聲音

follow your curiosity down those rabbit holes,

讓好奇心帶領你

explore your intersections.

探索不同領域間的知識碰撞

Embracing our inner wiring leads to a happier, more authentic life

勇於接受內在的自己會帶領我們迎向更快樂、更真實的人生

and perhaps more importantly,

噢，還有一件更重要的事

multipotentialites,

各位多重潛能者

the world needs us.

這世界需要我們

Thank you.

謝謝

(Applause)

(掌聲)