Help! I'm All Over the Place. Part 1

Ive been called the Jack of all trades- Master of none and this is what I call myself. I am totally the jack of many trades, but I really don’t want to master any. If I did master any one task I would never have time to do the other things I’m interested in.   I’ve been interested in lots of things – I worked as a visual merchandiser, modeling instructor, sales associate, makeup artist, corporate trainer, recreational camp counselor, graphic designer, actress, Senate intern, fashion show producer – do I need to go on.. and I am still interested in learning and doing lots more.

Does this sound anything like you- if you too like and want to do lots of things and can’t makeup your mind, then I would consider you a person who's all over the place.  I learned this task by reading I Could Do Anything: If I Only Knew What it Was, by Barbara Sher.

If you know and have issues with being all over the place, then this post is for you.

 1^st step -why are you all over the place, who are you  really  and why do you want to do so many things.  2^nd step is once you get that all together – you can then move on to developing a plan for a life that suits all of your interest. ( Step 2 will be discussed in part 2)

So with all that out of the way- lets start with step 1...

Who Are You?

You are a SCANNER. You are a person who loves doing all things that delight you  in the,  being a SCANNER is a talent – it is the key to a very good life as Barbara Sher states.

SCANNERS want to do and live life doing everything that brings them joy.   SCANNERS have  skills  that are unbeleiveable . We love what’s new. Many creative types are SCANNERS. How am I doing so far…? Is this still you? If so, then read on.

Here's the Problem.

The  problem is SCANNERS have a hard time finding joy in the work they do.  Basic career aptitude test tend to miss the benefit of being of being a  SCANNER, because these types of test show SCANNERS equally skilled in 3 or more career areas.  This was me. I took several test and they all said the same things.  I could be writer, researcher, documentary filmmaker, fashion designer, explore,  hiker, salesperson, and a  teacher. ( The funny thing I'm doing most of these things now).

People in our lives have program us to believe that we only have one life to live– but to Sher saids it best, SCANNERS have the option of one life sounds like someone saying “You can have a coloring book or you can have crayons, but you can’t have both.” Scanners know this way of thinking is bull sh*t.  I know, you know life is too generous and abundant - it going to take an action plan to get the ball rolling.

The Action Plan (video)

Note: Plan of Actions has been learned from Barbara Sher's I Could Do Anything, If I only Knew What it Was.

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Learn more about SCANNERS and how to live a creative purposeful life - check out Barabara Sher's book

I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It

Comments

[Dale]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! This is exactly me. I want to do it all...mostly. I did go through a spell of wanting to be a weaver, but no, that is too tedious. I guess I want to learn about many things partly so I can weed out what I don't want. I want the coloring book and ALL 64 colors of crayons!

[Alease]

Dale, I so glad this post was a good one for you. I too want it all, and it's a good thing to know that we can have it all.

Thanks for your comment, Alease

[jenn]

thank U Alease! I can't to read your next post. I am a scanner to the 10th degree! And Im glad Kelly's class has brought so many of us together. A community of Scanner's that'g great. Thats how I found tis post...someone put it in one of the 213 comments from last nights post. Keep up the good work!

[Debbie]

Hi Alease,
I too am a scanner! Trying to do everything but I'm exhausted! Thank you for your post. I'll check back for part 2!
Blessings

[Chris]

Alease, this is so right on!!!! So me! Thank you for putting it into words and affirmations! ps I'm here from the "flying lessons" group too and I can't wait to read more from you.

Sending a smile, Chris a.k.a ArtPlay

[Art Play]

Alease, thank you for this post! I so relate and had to laugh at the "want to do it all". I once told a counselor in my early 20's that I felt so mixed up, almost like split personalities and he told me that I should just think of myself as extremely versatile! If I only would have embraced my creative nature earlier!!!

I"m here from "flying lessons" too. Can't wait to read more of your posts!!! Sending a smile, chris

[Alease]

Thanks everyone for the wonderful feedback. I am so glad that there are others out there that are like me. It feels great to know that being all over the place is a good thing.

Thanks again for all the love, Alease Michelle.

[Lynnstreasures]

Hi ......my name is Lynn, I'm a flier and a SCANNER too...haha....it's late....but i promise i'll watch the video tomorrow!

[Lynnstreasures]

Hi, my name is Lynn, I'm a flier and a scanner too! it feels so good to know that i fall into a category now....

[Heather Shirin]

Me too. Count me in ladies. My work jumps daily, anything and everyone influences my "style" of art all the time. I keep hearing you must have a "style" to get noticed. What happens to scatter scanner add artist types? Do we ever make it too?

[Alease]

It just feels good to know that there are others out there like us. There is nothing wrong with being a SCANNER. Really I encourage it!

[business card scanner]

I am john martin. I have to buy new scanner. Can anybody please suggest me which scanner is best for my work. I need it for business purpose.

[Alease]

Hi, John
I am not sure how you plan to use the scanner in your business, but I have an All-in-One HP Photosmart printer and it scans and copy and prints. It has worked for all of my projects. I have used it to scan some of my smaller art works.

What I suggest if you are scanning artwork, then you need a photo image software, like Photoshop. This program will allow your to change the dpi and color correct your image.

I hope that helps.
Alease

[Supra Footwear]

The man who has made up his mind to win will never say "impossible".You have to believe in yourself. That's the secret of success.