Comments on: Personal Development For Polymaths http://hunternuttall.com/blog/2009/12/personal-development-for-polymaths/ Personal Development for Polymaths Wed, 16 May 2012 19:19:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Hunter Nuttall http://hunternuttall.com/blog/2009/12/personal-development-for-polymaths/comment-page-1/#comment-62630 Hunter Nuttall Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:50:56 +0000 http://hunternuttall.com/blog/?p=1783#comment-62630 @ Paul, I've heard the term "scanner" before, though I think it almost sounds pejorative...and certainly less cool than polymath! Anyway, I think I probably need to read that book. @ Paul, I’ve heard the term “scanner” before, though I think it almost sounds pejorative…and certainly less cool than polymath! Anyway, I think I probably need to read that book.

]]> By: Paul Strobl http://hunternuttall.com/blog/2009/12/personal-development-for-polymaths/comment-page-1/#comment-62521 Paul Strobl Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:20:01 +0000 http://hunternuttall.com/blog/?p=1783#comment-62521 From one polymath to another: Barbara Sher writes about polymaths--she calls them 'scanners'. Refuse to Choose was a pretty good read. She also does retreats for scanners, etc., though I have never been. Saludos, Paul From one polymath to another: Barbara Sher writes about polymaths–she calls them ‘scanners’. Refuse to Choose was a pretty good read. She also does retreats for scanners, etc., though I have never been.

Saludos,

Paul

]]> By: Hunter Nuttall http://hunternuttall.com/blog/2009/12/personal-development-for-polymaths/comment-page-1/#comment-46538 Hunter Nuttall Sun, 11 Apr 2010 23:07:37 +0000 http://hunternuttall.com/blog/?p=1783#comment-46538 @ Jim, thanks for providing such a good example of a real life polymath! That's a diverse set of talents there. BTW, I'm currently writing a screenplay as part of <a href="http://www.scriptfrenzy.org" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Script Frenzy</a>. Fun, isn't it? @ Jim, thanks for providing such a good example of a real life polymath! That’s a diverse set of talents there. BTW, I’m currently writing a screenplay as part of Script Frenzy. Fun, isn’t it?

]]> By: Jim Goode http://hunternuttall.com/blog/2009/12/personal-development-for-polymaths/comment-page-1/#comment-46537 Jim Goode Sun, 11 Apr 2010 22:28:17 +0000 http://hunternuttall.com/blog/?p=1783#comment-46537 I believe polymaths rule, and I just learned of the term about five minutes ago. But I am a 46 year-old with a law degree, a third degree black-belt in a traditional Japanese karate style, a prolific woodworker who built all the kitchen cabinets in his home, including an 11-foot island, 8-foot walnut bathroom vanity, and installed stone and bamboo floors, walk-in showers, and who has also been a paid screenwriter and is currently writing another screenplay after a ten-year hiatus, and has absolutely NO LIMITS on what he thinks is possible for even the average man, if they would just TRY! I cannot specialize. I cannot limit myself. I may be a polymath. I am very glad I found this website. I believe polymaths rule, and I just learned of the term about five minutes ago. But I am a 46 year-old with a law degree, a third degree black-belt in a traditional Japanese karate style, a prolific woodworker who built all the kitchen cabinets in his home, including an 11-foot island, 8-foot walnut bathroom vanity, and installed stone and bamboo floors, walk-in showers, and who has also been a paid screenwriter and is currently writing another screenplay after a ten-year hiatus, and has absolutely NO LIMITS on what he thinks is possible for even the average man, if they would just TRY!

I cannot specialize. I cannot limit myself. I may be a polymath.

I am very glad I found this website.

]]> By: Hunter Nuttall http://hunternuttall.com/blog/2009/12/personal-development-for-polymaths/comment-page-1/#comment-44720 Hunter Nuttall Tue, 23 Mar 2010 05:30:43 +0000 http://hunternuttall.com/blog/?p=1783#comment-44720 @ Janet, one of the polymath's tricks is the ability to specialize if they want to. Remember that many great writers tried different kinds of writing before finding the niche that worked best for them (e.g. Shel Silverstein was all over the place before he ever tried children's writing). By pursuing multiple interests, you're having fun while also getting a feel for where you'd like to specialize - if you choose to - and then you'll have a wide range of experience to draw from. Anyway, we can all use the company! @ Janet, one of the polymath’s tricks is the ability to specialize if they want to. Remember that many great writers tried different kinds of writing before finding the niche that worked best for them (e.g. Shel Silverstein was all over the place before he ever tried children’s writing).

By pursuing multiple interests, you’re having fun while also getting a feel for where you’d like to specialize – if you choose to – and then you’ll have a wide range of experience to draw from. Anyway, we can all use the company!

]]> By: Janet M http://hunternuttall.com/blog/2009/12/personal-development-for-polymaths/comment-page-1/#comment-44696 Janet M Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:53:49 +0000 http://hunternuttall.com/blog/?p=1783#comment-44696 As a 55-year-old polymath, I'm delighted to find your site and am looking forward to going through the boot camp. I've made my career mostly in writing-related activities, which provides a lot of room to explore different topics, but the publishing world loves specialists, and I get tired of figuring out where my next assignment will come from. Maybe learning more on your site will help. It'll be nice to have company, in any case. As a 55-year-old polymath, I’m delighted to find your site and am looking forward to going through the boot camp. I’ve made my career mostly in writing-related activities, which provides a lot of room to explore different topics, but the publishing world loves specialists, and I get tired of figuring out where my next assignment will come from. Maybe learning more on your site will help. It’ll be nice to have company, in any case.

]]> By: Hunter Nuttall http://hunternuttall.com/blog/2009/12/personal-development-for-polymaths/comment-page-1/#comment-37426 Hunter Nuttall Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:58:06 +0000 http://hunternuttall.com/blog/?p=1783#comment-37426 @ Diane, I think that polymaths can definitely specialize, but they may want to try out a lot of different things first. After they have their fun in different fields, they may find something they wouldn't mind specializing in. Then they can be a specialist with no regrets. @ Diane, I think that polymaths can definitely specialize, but they may want to try out a lot of different things first. After they have their fun in different fields, they may find something they wouldn’t mind specializing in. Then they can be a specialist with no regrets.

]]> By: Diane http://hunternuttall.com/blog/2009/12/personal-development-for-polymaths/comment-page-1/#comment-37280 Diane Wed, 13 Jan 2010 07:32:04 +0000 http://hunternuttall.com/blog/?p=1783#comment-37280 I'm glad to have a new phrase for myself, rather than renaissance (wo)man. Perhaps if I use polymath it will not be followed by chuckles and a "yea right." I've always been told that I need to pick one thing and do that. Focus on that one thing. But I never could. I was always drawn to my interests. Going into college I figured, well, if I go into film than I can use all my interests for one end. And now that I'm in it, I find that's not even true. I am in one area of career but I'm still being told I need to do only one thing (art department, production, post, etc.). Everyone has multi-interests. However, I think most people are monomaths, because they decide to follow one career. Very few people stretch themselves over multiple career paths. For me, I've found that I enjoy being a polymath; it makes me more marketable. As far as polymaths having a lesser chance of specializing in a field... it's not easy, but I don't think it's impossible, but I will agree that it is probably a lesser chance because no one really wants to go through how hard it is, or the amount of work it takes. Some things just come easier to some people than others, and before you know it, BOOM, you are specialized in an area you didn't even think was possible. I’m glad to have a new phrase for myself, rather than renaissance (wo)man. Perhaps if I use polymath it will not be followed by chuckles and a “yea right.” I’ve always been told that I need to pick one thing and do that. Focus on that one thing. But I never could. I was always drawn to my interests. Going into college I figured, well, if I go into film than I can use all my interests for one end. And now that I’m in it, I find that’s not even true. I am in one area of career but I’m still being told I need to do only one thing (art department, production, post, etc.).

Everyone has multi-interests. However, I think most people are monomaths, because they decide to follow one career. Very few people stretch themselves over multiple career paths. For me, I’ve found that I enjoy being a polymath; it makes me more marketable. As far as polymaths having a lesser chance of specializing in a field… it’s not easy, but I don’t think it’s impossible, but I will agree that it is probably a lesser chance because no one really wants to go through how hard it is, or the amount of work it takes. Some things just come easier to some people than others, and before you know it, BOOM, you are specialized in an area you didn’t even think was possible.

]]> By: Hunter Nuttall http://hunternuttall.com/blog/2009/12/personal-development-for-polymaths/comment-page-1/#comment-36924 Hunter Nuttall Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:17:33 +0000 http://hunternuttall.com/blog/?p=1783#comment-36924 @ Emi, that's a really good question. Actually, there are a few different questions in there, but the main one seems to be how to find a life path. For that, check out the "Purpose" section in my <a href="http://hunternuttall.com/boot-camp.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">boot camp</a>. @ Emi, that’s a really good question. Actually, there are a few different questions in there, but the main one seems to be how to find a life path. For that, check out the “Purpose” section in my boot camp.

]]> By: Emi http://hunternuttall.com/blog/2009/12/personal-development-for-polymaths/comment-page-1/#comment-36846 Emi Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:11:05 +0000 http://hunternuttall.com/blog/?p=1783#comment-36846 Hey All, Im glad i found this site..in a nutshell it finally clears what ive felt for a while (im a polymath).."fanatical thirst for variety may deprive them of the focus and follow-through needed to have a significant impact in any one area" is just it...im talented in many areas...but cant seem to satisfy the follow through to accomplish something or perhaps even follow as a life path...so my question is..what resources is there for help in this? is there a llink or something that helps polymaths strengthen their weaknesses? Cheers Hey All,
Im glad i found this site..in a nutshell it finally clears what ive felt for a while (im a polymath)..”fanatical thirst for variety may deprive them of the focus and follow-through needed to have a significant impact in any one area” is just it…im talented in many areas…but cant seem to satisfy the follow through to accomplish something or perhaps even follow as a life path…so my question is..what resources is there for help in this? is there a llink or something that helps polymaths strengthen their weaknesses?
Cheers

]]>