I can't stand motivational speakers or "life coaches." Don't like 'em, don't want to listen to them, don't want to be empowered, or enthused, or motivated, or changed. I don't have the time or the patience for any of those things.
but...
The other night, I ran across one of those "fundraising specials" they air on PBS in between pledge breaks. (The other one is the outstanding new Celtic Woman special.)
I've seen Barbara Sher on tv before, listened to her speak a little, as she's kinda funny, and not all overly-enthusiastic, if you know what I mean. This particular seminar she's putting on right now, "Refuse to Choose" about "scanners" fits me to such a T* it's scary!
Acclaimed author and life transformation coach Barbara Sher provides insight into a new emerging personality type in today's busy world in the premiere of WMHT's national production, Refuse To Choose!
The new personality belongs to a type of person who does not enjoy "choosing" only one activity/career/hobby for the rest of their lives, but instead chooses to do everything they love. Barbara Sher sees these people as unique and gives them the name "scanners" because they scan the horizon and see a multitude of interests to explore - rather than diving deep into a single interest.
Scanners are smart, curious, and always looking into something new, unable to decide once and for all what direction they want their lives to take, never fully putting their considerable talents to use. In Refuse To Choose!, viewers learn that this trait is normal and acceptable and, moreover, a genuine gift.
WMHT
See also:
Are you a Scanner? by Barbara Sher
... Scanners love to read and write, to fix and invent things, to design projects and businesses, to cook and sing, and to create the perfect dinner party. (You'll notice I didn't use the word "or," because Scanners don't love to do one thing or the other; they love them all.)
... To Scanners the world is like a big candy store full of fascinating opportunities, and all they want is to reach out and stuff their pockets.
... Intense curiosity about numerous unrelated subjects is one of the most basic characteristics of a Scanner. Scanners are endlessly inquisitive. In fact, Scanners often describe themselves as being hopelessly interested in everything (although, as you'll find out, this isn't so). A Scanner doesn't want to specialize in any of the things she loves, because that means giving up all the rest. Some even think that being an expert would be limiting and boring.
Our society frowns on this apparent self-indulgence. Of course, it's not self- indulgence at all; it's the way Scanners are designed, and there's nothing they can or should do about it. A Scanner is curious because he is genetically programmed to explore everything that interests him. If you're a Scanner, that's your nature. Ignore it and you'll always be fretful and dissatisfied.
While I've never felt the pressure or sense of failure that Sher says that most scanners feel (or are told they should feel,) it was fun to be told that it was typical of scanners that they get bored easily unless they have too much to do, and that it's ok to not want to bother with mundane things (like cooking and housework!) that they aren't interested in.
If you think you might be a Scanner, and get a chance to watch Barbara Sher, take it!
And Scan On!
I feel a little like the computer on the old Star Trek series... "Working..."
*I'm lucky to have 2 - count 'em 2 - good full-time jobs that I love, both of which require that I do a million completely different things a day.