Polymathic Tendencies
I’ve been fascinated by the space in between disciplines for more than a decade. Depending on my confidence level on a particular day, I may even consider myself a polymath. At the same time, I recoil at the audacity of the previous statement and wonder if I am worthy of a title held by Leonard da Vinci, Ben Franklin and Pythagorus. As the kids say, maybe it’s not that deep. Does a polymath need to be “successful” at the endeavors they explore? Or do they just need to be driven by an unbridled curiosity to understand the world? Today, it’s safe to say that I exhibit polymathic tendencies.
A polymath is “a person of wide ranging knowledge or learning”.
For me, it goes beyond the interest in many disciplines. It’s how those disciplines intersect that is compelling. It all begins with curiosity. This superpower can often lay dormant in each of us to make room for participation in the cycles that power the economic side of the world.
We are creatures of habit guided by patterns and shortcuts to optimize our existence. These patterns become so mechanical that we can find ourselves in loops that may be counterproductive. While patterns are predictable and comfortable, they don’t help us grow. They don’t activate our curiosity. In some cases, they subtly suggest its gentle return to dormant status.
What can we do about it?
Tilt the axis to access your polymathic tendencies.
Read a book on a subject outside your comfort zone. Stepping into a beginner’s mind is both powerful and frustrating. I struggled through the Philosophy Of Mathematics by Bertrand Russell, but it led me to a greater appreciation for numbers, patterns, and logic.
Back your car into parking spots. For me, this did two things. First, I stopped being so concerned about the effect that the extra 15 seconds had on other cars in close proximity. Second, I was establishing a new neural pathway.
Be the rookie in the room. Jump into situations where you are not the expert. Even if you are, listen to new perspectives without judgment. Use your ears instead of your mouth. It’s not as fun as knowing all of the answers, but it is way more valuable.
Use your powers for good. If you have expertise in a domain, use it to help someone without expecting anything in return. Actions like these are supremely rewarding, and can also be the catalyst for your next adventure.
Create slack in your system. Go for a walk. Lose yourself in music. Meditate. The best connections happen when you aren’t thinking about them.
CHALLENGE: What do you do to shake things up? How do you activate your curiosity?
Prefer listening to these ideas and insights? Check out The 52Musings Podcast.
