5 Ways to Diversify Your Career and become a Jill of All Trades

Career diversification is all the rage and everyone seems to be jumping on the band wagon. You know what I mean, now-a-days when you ask someone for their business card, they hand you 3 different cards: accountant, hair dresser and snake charmer!

It used to be that folks with this kind of career approach might be labeled a "jack of all trades, master of none," but not anymore. Heck, if you don't have a side hustle or two, folks are giving you the side eye.

Well, I decided to give women with this kind of mojo flow a new name - Multi-faceted Career Girl.

Recently I was asked to direct a play in a national festival to be held in Washington DC. I took the gig for a few reasons

I love directing plays.
I don't get to do it very often.
because it fits in the schedule I've created and won't disrupt the other things I'm invested in.

When I posted on Facebook that I'd gotten the gig I called myself a "Multi-faceted Career Girl". This really struck a chord in people. Folks asked me how DO you DO all that you DO? Of course, that got me to thinking. When you look at the to-do list generated from all the hats I wear, it's obvious that I can have a pretty full plate. I'm a tenured college professor, an actress (I just performed in front of an audience of 14,000 in Washington DC), I run a performing arts training studio for youth and adults, I hold weekly private coaching sessions, I'm a blogger, I'm writing a book, I'm a Creativity Life Coach invited to speak at conferences and hold workshops on law of attraction, women in business and creating a meaningful life, and I'm also a mom to a college student. That's a pretty exstensive list but I rarely feel overwhelmed so there must be some method to juggling several side hustles. Well, you're right, I have discovered a few things I believe one should do if they're going to make it as a Multi-faceted Career Girl.



Top 5 Tips for Making it as a Multi-faceted Career Girl:

1. Follow your Passion - only invest in doing things that you have a passion for. The work will be easier, more fun and more profitable.
2. Say NO - you can't do everything all the time at the same time. For example, before I accepted the directing gig I reflected on my schedule and what needs to be done when over the next several months. If this gig had not fit into that schedule I would have said no without missing a beat.
3. Time Management - you can't talk the talk, you have to walk the walk. Develop excellent time management skills. Create a system. Use your calendar. Tie string on your fingers. Write things down. Write down your weekly goals and check them off as you complete them. If you need support, join an accountability group.
4. Work Smart - don't execute tasks when you're in a negative energy state. Work when you're happiest and you'll get a lot more done in a lot less time. (this connects back to #1 - there must be passion for what you commit to).
5. Rely on your Intuition - only say yes to those ideas supported by your gut. If your gut says you should not touch something with a 10 foot pole, then DON'T do it. You’ll suffer less and you’ll be happier.

Truthfully, this list is beneficial even if you only have one hustle. But, if you’re ambition is to add “tattoo artist” to your resume, which of these five tips would trip you up? Maybe your time management skills amount to waiting until the last minute to hurry up and do something in 2 hours that should have taken you 2 days. If that’s you, don’t fret. The foundation for success always remains the same, focus on awareness and growth. Hopefully, something on this list makes you more aware of what you need to do and you can decide to grow and develop in that area. Trust me, I didn't start out with all five of these tips under my belt, but over time I learned to strengthen those skills that were hindering me in my quest to be a Multi-faceted Career Girl, and as a result now I even get to take an occasional nap!

Remember, life is precious. Do your happy dance. Enjoy life!

Related:

Is It Time to Reset Your Life? Three Ways to Finally Start Pursuing Your Dreams
Business Basics 101: Five Ways to Enhance Your Personal and Professional Image
5 Smart Steps to Getting Your Small Business Off The Ground

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Author, Creativity Life Coach and tenured professor of Theater, Denise J. Hart is the author of the forthcoming book, "365 Days of Mindset Mojo - your daily guide to experience more wisdom, creativity & joy!" Sign up for her free daily Mindset Mojo series on her blog at http://www.motivationmama.com