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The Renaissance Soul: How to Make Your Passions Your Life - A Creative and Practical Guide
The guide to leading a creative, passionate, and multifaceted life-big enough to embrace all your dreamsAre you unwilling to settle on doing just one thing "for the rest of your life"? Do you jump at the chance to learn something new-or, after achieving success in one field, find yourself yearning for new challenges and looking around for something different to do? If so, you may be a Renaissance Soul. The Renaissance Soul is the first book devoted to this personality type, and in this updated edition-in paperback for the first time- author Margaret Lobenstine offers a life-planning strategy perfectly in tune with those who fear becoming "a jack-of-all-trades and master of none." Discover how to design a vibrant, fulfilling life and how to: Manage your time the Renaissance Soul way Thrive on many interests without feeling scattered or overwhelmed Pursue your passions even if they "don't pay" Carry your dreams forward no matter what your day job is.Stocked with creative, doable exercises, relevant resources, and interviews with successful Renaissance Souls, this is "one self-help book that is exactly as advertised, well thought out and offering sage advice" (Boston Globe).
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 212 reviews
May 20, 2013
“If I were to envision the Renaissance approach to life, the traditional career metaphors of a highway to follow or a mountain to climb wouldn’t come to mind. The Renaissance approach to life looks more like a tree branching out in myriad directions, some branches overlapping, some intertwining, and some just finding their own merry ways to the sunlight.”
I’m usually not a fan of these types of books; from my experience they usually have a catchy title and seem to offer so much, yet I often end up feeling underwhelmed as the book spits out cliché upon cliché. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I think I read it at the right moment of my life, just when I was considering going back to school and changing careers. It resonated with me as a result.
The book is about the Renaissance Soul (RS). Lobenstine defines a RS as one who loves problem solving, learning and experiencing new challenges. A RS gets excited by many things at the same time, finds it difficult to choose just one, and is scared at the prospect of being stuck in the same career for life. Though it may sound nice to have more than one interest, society doesn’t make it easy for us. RS’s are called flaky and are admonished about not being able to stick to one career. However,Lobenstine says we must “honour our delight in variety,rather than forcing us to choose only one thing.”
This book is very helpful in teaching RS’s to own their uniqueness and their curious nature.There are also many examples of RS’s (both modern-day and historical)and their lives in the book, as well as advice about career options and time planning for RS’s. Included was also some information that didn’t apply to me, but may be useful for some other people (ex. The parents of RS teenagers).
I found the book quite informative. It was very helpful to realize that having lots of interests could give one a competitive edge, as in society we are often told to specialize on one thing or forget about ever making enough money to survive. However, this books shows that we all have several options; it’s comforting to know that Jack’s and Jill’s of all trades can make a living and be content at the same time!
I’m usually not a fan of these types of books; from my experience they usually have a catchy title and seem to offer so much, yet I often end up feeling underwhelmed as the book spits out cliché upon cliché. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I think I read it at the right moment of my life, just when I was considering going back to school and changing careers. It resonated with me as a result.
The book is about the Renaissance Soul (RS). Lobenstine defines a RS as one who loves problem solving, learning and experiencing new challenges. A RS gets excited by many things at the same time, finds it difficult to choose just one, and is scared at the prospect of being stuck in the same career for life. Though it may sound nice to have more than one interest, society doesn’t make it easy for us. RS’s are called flaky and are admonished about not being able to stick to one career. However,Lobenstine says we must “honour our delight in variety,rather than forcing us to choose only one thing.”
This book is very helpful in teaching RS’s to own their uniqueness and their curious nature.There are also many examples of RS’s (both modern-day and historical)and their lives in the book, as well as advice about career options and time planning for RS’s. Included was also some information that didn’t apply to me, but may be useful for some other people (ex. The parents of RS teenagers).
I found the book quite informative. It was very helpful to realize that having lots of interests could give one a competitive edge, as in society we are often told to specialize on one thing or forget about ever making enough money to survive. However, this books shows that we all have several options; it’s comforting to know that Jack’s and Jill’s of all trades can make a living and be content at the same time!
March 13, 2008
I randomly came across this book and decided to check it out, because I am one of those people who wants to do -everything- and I feel like I need to do it all! right! now! It really is written for people like me.
It was a quick read, but that might be because I skimmed over all the stories about people like Dan, who was fascinated by underwater basketweaving and African gorillas. Dan found a way to combine his passions by getting a job doing underwater basketweaving, and he could take time off in summer to go teach sign language to African gorillas! Amazing!
Seriously, though, it's FULL of stories like that. But if you don't read those, and focus on the exercises, I think it could be a helpful book. I think I'll be able to make use of several of her recommendations. They're things that might be simple or make complete sense to some people (selecting values that are most important to you RIGHT NOW and then choosing four passions to focus on based on those values), but for me, that type of thing is a good reminder that there is time.
In other words, don't read this if you: a) can't deal with lame stories about people who have Changed Their Lives, or b) find it easy to identify and focus on your passions.
It was a quick read, but that might be because I skimmed over all the stories about people like Dan, who was fascinated by underwater basketweaving and African gorillas. Dan found a way to combine his passions by getting a job doing underwater basketweaving, and he could take time off in summer to go teach sign language to African gorillas! Amazing!
Seriously, though, it's FULL of stories like that. But if you don't read those, and focus on the exercises, I think it could be a helpful book. I think I'll be able to make use of several of her recommendations. They're things that might be simple or make complete sense to some people (selecting values that are most important to you RIGHT NOW and then choosing four passions to focus on based on those values), but for me, that type of thing is a good reminder that there is time.
In other words, don't read this if you: a) can't deal with lame stories about people who have Changed Their Lives, or b) find it easy to identify and focus on your passions.
December 1, 2007
Anyone who has three books going at the same time, who hates the thought of constraining him- or herself to just one "thing," or who gets swallowed up for hours in a bookstore will find themselves in this book.
Lobenstine does an excellent job of describing the "renaissance" personality and helping people who fall in this category to accept and embrace their "diagnosis." She offers concrete ways of working with -- instead of against -- our personality traits.
I love feeling like I'm not alone, and I appreciated some of the concrete suggestions, but I finished this book feeling a little lost as to what my next steps should be. How do I select my four (or five) focal areas when it's nearly impossible for me to choose ANYTHING? I would have appreciated a more structured approach to winnowing -- rather than narrowing -- my choices.
Overall, though, full of tons of great inspiration, if a little light on the practical side.
Lobenstine does an excellent job of describing the "renaissance" personality and helping people who fall in this category to accept and embrace their "diagnosis." She offers concrete ways of working with -- instead of against -- our personality traits.
I love feeling like I'm not alone, and I appreciated some of the concrete suggestions, but I finished this book feeling a little lost as to what my next steps should be. How do I select my four (or five) focal areas when it's nearly impossible for me to choose ANYTHING? I would have appreciated a more structured approach to winnowing -- rather than narrowing -- my choices.
Overall, though, full of tons of great inspiration, if a little light on the practical side.
February 10, 2012
Plenty of good stuff to think about in this book. For me, the biggest takeaways were:
- the affirmation that I'm not an ADD-ridden weirdo for wanting to career-hop or for imagining about 50 other paths I could be taking at any given point;
- the "sampler" method whereby you pick three or four interests to focus on for the time being and then arrange your time so you can move forward on them (knowing that you can always pick up other sets of interests later);
- the various quizzes that help identify priorities and core values.
Unfortunately, no one's yet written the book on "life design for people with too many passions during a horrendous recession when jobs are scarce and opportunities to jump from new interest to new interest are few and far between." I also wish there'd been a section on how to deal with the "impostor syndrome" that plagues a lot of people (myself included) -- that nagging sense of "I'm a fraud! I'm not really smart enough or competent enough to do this!", which makes it a lot harder to move into new fields you don't know much about. And this book also assumes that you have access to learning opportunities, a robust social and support network, and plenty of places to start seeking out networking and volunteering. So YMMV. But I'm still glad I read it.
- the affirmation that I'm not an ADD-ridden weirdo for wanting to career-hop or for imagining about 50 other paths I could be taking at any given point;
- the "sampler" method whereby you pick three or four interests to focus on for the time being and then arrange your time so you can move forward on them (knowing that you can always pick up other sets of interests later);
- the various quizzes that help identify priorities and core values.
Unfortunately, no one's yet written the book on "life design for people with too many passions during a horrendous recession when jobs are scarce and opportunities to jump from new interest to new interest are few and far between." I also wish there'd been a section on how to deal with the "impostor syndrome" that plagues a lot of people (myself included) -- that nagging sense of "I'm a fraud! I'm not really smart enough or competent enough to do this!", which makes it a lot harder to move into new fields you don't know much about. And this book also assumes that you have access to learning opportunities, a robust social and support network, and plenty of places to start seeking out networking and volunteering. So YMMV. But I'm still glad I read it.
August 3, 2024
2024 Review
I challenged myself in 2024 to re-read the books that impacted me most in my 20s.
And I will be honest, I mostly skimmed this one.
It is very practical and full of great tips and exercises. It just isn't what I need right now. Even as a look back at who I was in 2017, I think I had worked out much of this on my own already. It would have been much more helpful when I was in high school.
In general, though, I think this would make a great graduation gift, especially for high schoolers about to take a gap year.
2017 Review
4.5 Stars
I won this book in a StudentHero drawing (check them out!!! ) and I am so glad I did. I do not think I would have picked it up otherwise. While, let's be real, this book sounds like just another self-help, it actually cuts through a lot of the usual cliche-fluff to present a practical, affirming message about identity and life.
I found this book very affirming, though not mind-blowing. In fact, it took me a while to get through the first half because I kept thinking, 'I'm a Renaissance Soul. That's nice. I've already embraced this side of my personality. And I handle it quite well, ThankYouVeryMuch. It is called being an ENFP.'
The second half, however, proved a lot more helpful. I really liked the chapter about time management. Even if the idea of being a person with multiple interests doesn't seem that stressful to you, it is always helpful to get some practical suggestions for keeping your life organized. I am one of those people who always buys planners and programs for organizing things and then abandons them days later. Lobenstine seems to embrace that. Interests change. Learn to keep your life rolling efficiently even with those changing interests.
Stepping back from the details, I really appreciate the timing of this book in my life. I am a Renaissance Soul in law school. It is not a comfortable position. After 18 years of knowing exactly what I 'wanted to be when I grew up,' I now hate the idea of being stuck in one career for the rest of my life. It has been one long semester of trying to balance my enjoyment of the law with a panicky feeling of committing myself in some permanent way to one thing. I enjoy this...for now. It was really freeing to be reminded that 'for now' is fine. I do not have to commit to a lifetime of this. I do not need to have a 5, 10, or 30 year plan all figured out. Life changes. Interests change. It is okay to focus and thrive in one area, and then turn around and thrive in another area later.
I would love another book on this subject that focuses on keeping your finances in order while being a renaissance soul! It is all well and good to say you can make a career of your many passions but what about day to day budgeting and purchasing? At what point do you tell yourself no, you really won't use that 3rd planner, when you really want it anyway and besides you might use it this time...?
Even if you are comfortable being a jack of all trades and a master of none, this is a great book for evaluating and sorting out priorities, getting somewhat organized, and embracing your inner multi-interested person!
I challenged myself in 2024 to re-read the books that impacted me most in my 20s.
And I will be honest, I mostly skimmed this one.
It is very practical and full of great tips and exercises. It just isn't what I need right now. Even as a look back at who I was in 2017, I think I had worked out much of this on my own already. It would have been much more helpful when I was in high school.
In general, though, I think this would make a great graduation gift, especially for high schoolers about to take a gap year.
2017 Review
4.5 Stars
I won this book in a StudentHero drawing (check them out!!! ) and I am so glad I did. I do not think I would have picked it up otherwise. While, let's be real, this book sounds like just another self-help, it actually cuts through a lot of the usual cliche-fluff to present a practical, affirming message about identity and life.
I found this book very affirming, though not mind-blowing. In fact, it took me a while to get through the first half because I kept thinking, 'I'm a Renaissance Soul. That's nice. I've already embraced this side of my personality. And I handle it quite well, ThankYouVeryMuch. It is called being an ENFP.'
The second half, however, proved a lot more helpful. I really liked the chapter about time management. Even if the idea of being a person with multiple interests doesn't seem that stressful to you, it is always helpful to get some practical suggestions for keeping your life organized. I am one of those people who always buys planners and programs for organizing things and then abandons them days later. Lobenstine seems to embrace that. Interests change. Learn to keep your life rolling efficiently even with those changing interests.
Stepping back from the details, I really appreciate the timing of this book in my life. I am a Renaissance Soul in law school. It is not a comfortable position. After 18 years of knowing exactly what I 'wanted to be when I grew up,' I now hate the idea of being stuck in one career for the rest of my life. It has been one long semester of trying to balance my enjoyment of the law with a panicky feeling of committing myself in some permanent way to one thing. I enjoy this...for now. It was really freeing to be reminded that 'for now' is fine. I do not have to commit to a lifetime of this. I do not need to have a 5, 10, or 30 year plan all figured out. Life changes. Interests change. It is okay to focus and thrive in one area, and then turn around and thrive in another area later.
I would love another book on this subject that focuses on keeping your finances in order while being a renaissance soul! It is all well and good to say you can make a career of your many passions but what about day to day budgeting and purchasing? At what point do you tell yourself no, you really won't use that 3rd planner, when you really want it anyway and besides you might use it this time...?
Even if you are comfortable being a jack of all trades and a master of none, this is a great book for evaluating and sorting out priorities, getting somewhat organized, and embracing your inner multi-interested person!
June 7, 2008
When I saw this book at the library, I had to snap it up right away. Lobenstine says that in essence, there are two kinds of people: Mozarts, who find one thing early on that they love and pursue for their whole lives, and Ben Franklins, who love and succeed at many different things in a wide variety of fields. Being a Franklin is no better or worse than being a Mozart, but it requires a different way of looking at how you spend your time and plan your life. Our society can be more supportive of Mozart-type personalities, expecting us to choose just one major, choose just one thing to do with our lives, and then to settle down in that field and climb the career ladder to success. This approach is bad for a Renaissance Soul--doing just one thing for our whole lives is not only boring for this sort of person, it also doesn't make the most of our potential.
The "Renaissance Soul" concept fits me perfectly. When I was a kid and people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer involved some combination of rock star, scientist, archeologist, and magician. I never understood the kids who just wanted to be a doctor and then went on to... be a doctor. Not me at all. I have so many passions and interests and so many things I want to do with myself. This book gives me hope that yes, I can do all the things I want to do, if I think through what I want to do for right now and focus on those things. Lobenstine suggests that a Renaissance Soul choose four Focal Points to work on for right now--four things that you're passionate about doing. Then you make realistic plans for how much time you're going to devote to them and how you'll judge whether you've succeeded.
Lobenstine also gives--OMG!--concrete suggestions for how you can switch fields in your work life without starting over, and how to find not just a "day job" but an "umbrella" career that will let you explore your interests through your work. I think that's possibly the most valuable part of this book--the suggestions for follow-through and how to explore your Renaissance Soul and still, um, pay the bills. There's a practicality in this book that outweighs the inevitable foo-foo stuff. I now feel so much better about my writing teacher/yoga instructor/freelance editor future dreams. I can totally make that work, and I will be so happy.
I think I want to buy a copy of this book and do the exercises in it every year or so. Because the things that are my Focal Points right now are not going to be the same a year from now, or two or three years from now. I fully intend to come back to this book again. It is a smart book.
The "Renaissance Soul" concept fits me perfectly. When I was a kid and people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer involved some combination of rock star, scientist, archeologist, and magician. I never understood the kids who just wanted to be a doctor and then went on to... be a doctor. Not me at all. I have so many passions and interests and so many things I want to do with myself. This book gives me hope that yes, I can do all the things I want to do, if I think through what I want to do for right now and focus on those things. Lobenstine suggests that a Renaissance Soul choose four Focal Points to work on for right now--four things that you're passionate about doing. Then you make realistic plans for how much time you're going to devote to them and how you'll judge whether you've succeeded.
Lobenstine also gives--OMG!--concrete suggestions for how you can switch fields in your work life without starting over, and how to find not just a "day job" but an "umbrella" career that will let you explore your interests through your work. I think that's possibly the most valuable part of this book--the suggestions for follow-through and how to explore your Renaissance Soul and still, um, pay the bills. There's a practicality in this book that outweighs the inevitable foo-foo stuff. I now feel so much better about my writing teacher/yoga instructor/freelance editor future dreams. I can totally make that work, and I will be so happy.
I think I want to buy a copy of this book and do the exercises in it every year or so. Because the things that are my Focal Points right now are not going to be the same a year from now, or two or three years from now. I fully intend to come back to this book again. It is a smart book.
April 8, 2012
Full post about this and Quiet by Susan Cain: http://esquetee.wordpress.com/2012/04...
About half of the book was excellent, full of extremely helpful exercises. The other half was sometimes silly, sometimes boring, sometimes patronizing. So I balance that out to 4 stars, since I did get so much out of the 5-stars half.
Of the twelve chapters, the five I found most helpful were:
Ch. 3 - Values
Ch. 4 - Focal Points
Ch. 7 - Resources
Ch. 9 - Taking Action
Ch. 10 - Time Management
And if that's still tl;dr for you, then just try 3, 4, and 9. I have pages of notes from these chapters alone, with plenty of ideas I want to try out for getting started / ahead on specific goals. Even if you don't consider yourself much of a renaissance soul, I think these chapters would be really beneficial. There are so many people (in academia especially) who make their jobs their entire lives, then feel lost when it's time to retire. I know I'm not one of those people - I could retire tomorrow and find all sorts of things to do. Rather than just flailing around with half-hearted hobbies, the exercises in this book (the good half) give some direction wherever direction might be needed.
About half of the book was excellent, full of extremely helpful exercises. The other half was sometimes silly, sometimes boring, sometimes patronizing. So I balance that out to 4 stars, since I did get so much out of the 5-stars half.
Of the twelve chapters, the five I found most helpful were:
Ch. 3 - Values
Ch. 4 - Focal Points
Ch. 7 - Resources
Ch. 9 - Taking Action
Ch. 10 - Time Management
And if that's still tl;dr for you, then just try 3, 4, and 9. I have pages of notes from these chapters alone, with plenty of ideas I want to try out for getting started / ahead on specific goals. Even if you don't consider yourself much of a renaissance soul, I think these chapters would be really beneficial. There are so many people (in academia especially) who make their jobs their entire lives, then feel lost when it's time to retire. I know I'm not one of those people - I could retire tomorrow and find all sorts of things to do. Rather than just flailing around with half-hearted hobbies, the exercises in this book (the good half) give some direction wherever direction might be needed.
August 29, 2012
In general, I make fun of self-help books. Most of them seem like the same old stuff put through the sausage grinder with a new cover on it. This book is different. Why? Because it was written for me. This book has a great balance of coaching you to accept and embrace a nature that can't settle on "just one thing" but doesn't make it a license to be a flake or non-committal. Commit to 4-5 Focus Areas of things you love and really develop them... until you get bored. Then pick another four or five, or replace just one or two. It also gives some somewhat original advice on how to incorporate one or more of these interest areas into a job, and how to use your job to develop other interests. I really liked this one because it speaks to me where I'm at, with practical advice that isn't lame and obvious. A definite must for anyone with "too many passions to pick just one."
June 23, 2012
I enjoyed rediscovering this book. A friend suggested it years ago when I was having a bit of a professional identity crisis. I bought it right away, but I didn't get very far for some reason. I held on to it the past six years, never giving it a second thought. As of late, I've found myself at a professional crossroads (again) and without intending to, I stumbled across this book on my shelf. I flipped to the introduction and recognized myself in the first few lines:
Do you feel a pang of envy when you hear someone say, "I've always known exactly what I wanted to do ever since I was a kid?"
Do you get down on yourself for being a "jack-of-all trades, master of none" because you are fascinated by many subjects but have never become an expert in any of them?
Or are you an expert in one or more areas but feel trapped by other people's expectations that you will stay in your current field for the rest of your life?
And on it went. Right from the start, Lobenstine identifies key traits that makes one a renaissance soul, and I found them to be a welcomed affirmation of self.
Lobenstine has written a practical book, chock full of specific steps renaissance souls can employ in designing a satisfying life. I read the book rather quickly, refusing to get bogged down in some of the longish sections, and ignoring those which were obvious or irrelevant (the chapter dedicated to undergraduates, for instance). She has lots of exercises, some of which I'd figured out on my own over the years, and others which will be great additions to my repertoire of strategies.
I recommend this book for anyone who has wildly divergent or ever-evolving interests, and yet feels unsure of how to proceed in life without starting over or sacrificing self.
Do you feel a pang of envy when you hear someone say, "I've always known exactly what I wanted to do ever since I was a kid?"
Do you get down on yourself for being a "jack-of-all trades, master of none" because you are fascinated by many subjects but have never become an expert in any of them?
Or are you an expert in one or more areas but feel trapped by other people's expectations that you will stay in your current field for the rest of your life?
And on it went. Right from the start, Lobenstine identifies key traits that makes one a renaissance soul, and I found them to be a welcomed affirmation of self.
Lobenstine has written a practical book, chock full of specific steps renaissance souls can employ in designing a satisfying life. I read the book rather quickly, refusing to get bogged down in some of the longish sections, and ignoring those which were obvious or irrelevant (the chapter dedicated to undergraduates, for instance). She has lots of exercises, some of which I'd figured out on my own over the years, and others which will be great additions to my repertoire of strategies.
I recommend this book for anyone who has wildly divergent or ever-evolving interests, and yet feels unsure of how to proceed in life without starting over or sacrificing self.
Currently Reading
February 6, 2009I am not alone. And I don't have ADD!
April 30, 2024
An interesting read that offers alternative life plans/set-ups for those of us with too many passions. I definitely recommend this if you are a multi-passionate!
June 9, 2009
This is a book that is definitely geared toward those in the market for answers. While the author provides good information and some of the exercises were helpful, I felt the anecdotes became tedious as did her spectrum markers of Mozart and Ben Franklin. A lot of her work is an adaptation of Getting Things Done (GTD) principles (which are themselves consolidations of other work). For example, what Lobenstine calls "intention markers," GTDers will know as "next actions." The "Focal Points Worksheet" serves the same purpose as GTD's "Weekly Review"
I do think it will be a helpful book for anyone feeling guilty about having multiple career paths or life goals...or for those who just don't know what it is they want to do. Lobenstine's "PRISM Test" is a good basic set of questions to ask oneself when embarking upon a professional or personal goal: Price, Reality, Integrity, Specificity, and Measurability. The basic point of the book is to free "Renaissance Souls" from the fetters of career rigidity.
I do think it will be a helpful book for anyone feeling guilty about having multiple career paths or life goals...or for those who just don't know what it is they want to do. Lobenstine's "PRISM Test" is a good basic set of questions to ask oneself when embarking upon a professional or personal goal: Price, Reality, Integrity, Specificity, and Measurability. The basic point of the book is to free "Renaissance Souls" from the fetters of career rigidity.
May 25, 2013
I could relate with this book. Our world today demands or at least strongly encourage specialization. Ever happened across an educated idiot?
Not to say that there are not good reason for specialization and focusing on one sub-issue of a sub-issue. However this knowledge comes at a cost, we have lost the ability to make jumps or break throughs because we no longer have a big picture view.
A broader base of knowledge also makes for healthier people, ever been stuck next to an expert at a party? It used to be that educated people were required to have a very wide breadth of knowledge and learning was never expected to stop- it was a life long event.
To be a Renaissance man or woman was an accomplishment and something we could benefit from producing more of.
Not to say that there are not good reason for specialization and focusing on one sub-issue of a sub-issue. However this knowledge comes at a cost, we have lost the ability to make jumps or break throughs because we no longer have a big picture view.
A broader base of knowledge also makes for healthier people, ever been stuck next to an expert at a party? It used to be that educated people were required to have a very wide breadth of knowledge and learning was never expected to stop- it was a life long event.
To be a Renaissance man or woman was an accomplishment and something we could benefit from producing more of.
November 21, 2012
The language of this book was fairly life-coach-y, but it made some good points. I'm giving it four stars for the sole reason that it's given me great ideas on how to organize my time without feeling chained to a schedule. I have always, always hated fixed schedules, because I never know when I'll feel like getting something done. This book has helped a lot with that, and I plan to put the scheduling ideas into practice. It's also given me some ideas on how to actually get some stuff done that I'm interested in doing.
February 17, 2013
This is the most life affirming book I have ever read. It helped me understand and accept myself.
But of course, because I have ADHD, I haven't quite finished it yet...
But of course, because I have ADHD, I haven't quite finished it yet...
March 1, 2015
I started reading this book with huge enthusiasm. I was already familiar with the concept of "Renaissance people" (or, "scanners" as Barbara Sher calls them in her book "Refuse to Choose!"). It basically means that novelty, and that "aha!" moment you benefit from when reading such kind of self-help book and discover yourself in the examples, was missing. Yet, I wanted to read more on this topic after reading Barbara Sher's book. As a "Renaissance Soul" I just felt the urge to have some things reminded and/or be able to view them from a different angle. I can now proudly say "mission accomplished". But it was not so easy as I thought initially it would be. Mostly because as I was reading this book I found myself comparing it to "Refuse to choose!" all the time. For example I read:
“I can’t emphasize enough what a powerful difference it makes in a Renaissance Soul’s life to feel free to focus on three or four or five things for now, and let others wait until later.”
Excerpt From: Lobenstine, Margaret. “The Renaissance Soul.” iBooks.
This material may be protected by copyright.
I was like: Com'on! This is not something new to me!...I've heard this advice yelling from forums, blog posts, self-help books, time management guides, etc. Choose few things to concentrate on (3-5) and you will be all set! Wait! What it you keep changing your interests every month or so...is it going to bring any positive result? I don't think so. You will keep hopping from one thing to another and no knowledge enough to guarantee a true satisfaction to a Renaissance Soul will follow from this. So, for me the better approach will be to show / teach how you could focus on those few things for a while and keep with them. Not forever. But long enough.
But, I kept reading and reaching Chapter 5, 6 and onwards provided a lot of support and insight for me (and, in fact solved the issue with "hopping from one interest to another" by introducing the PRISM evaluation system). It could be that those chapters made such a huge impression onto me because it might be related to the fact I am currently looking to a career change that will better suit my Focal points (things I am avidly interested in at the moment). Anyway, my trust in this book and author slowly returned at that point and I was happy I did not drop the book in the beginning.
As I mentioned earlier I could not stop comparing this book with "Refuse to choose". I actually got to conclusion that some exercises and key points are better described in "The Renaissance Soul" (i.e. the key values idea compared to the idea of the 5-year plan in "Refuse to Choose"...really?! 5-year plan for such type of a personality?! We cannot follow 5-year plans! We need to change and improve constantly. Hence the focus onto 5 key values seems more balanced to me. On the other hand, "Refuse to Choose" provides better insight with regards to the different types of scanners/Renaissance souls, and it definitely helps in choosing a better strategy to succeed with your focal points (if you are already familiar with your personality traits) having handy examples in hand. Also, I was thrilled to get to the "Being Perfect about Perfection" exercise because perfection can really be a huge stopper for me. I was like "So, finally, I will get a chance to be supported and learn how to better deal with this thing called perfectionism". I read the guide for the exercise, all notes....and nothing happened. Actually the exercise seems a bit incomplete to me. Ok, you choose different perfectionism degrees and assign them to your focal points. But, how exactly is this supposed to help you?!
Anyway, to finish my review I'd just advise you to read both this book and "Refuse to Choose" by Barbara Sher and choose what YOU personally need for YOUR unique case from both books. But, don't limit yourself to just one of them. And, read them with an open mind. Resist dropping the book if you don't agree with something at a certain point, and have a chance to think and compare with the other book, then with your personal case. Take a chance to discover your true Renaissance Soul and develop it fully! Don't quit!
“I can’t emphasize enough what a powerful difference it makes in a Renaissance Soul’s life to feel free to focus on three or four or five things for now, and let others wait until later.”
Excerpt From: Lobenstine, Margaret. “The Renaissance Soul.” iBooks.
This material may be protected by copyright.
I was like: Com'on! This is not something new to me!...I've heard this advice yelling from forums, blog posts, self-help books, time management guides, etc. Choose few things to concentrate on (3-5) and you will be all set! Wait! What it you keep changing your interests every month or so...is it going to bring any positive result? I don't think so. You will keep hopping from one thing to another and no knowledge enough to guarantee a true satisfaction to a Renaissance Soul will follow from this. So, for me the better approach will be to show / teach how you could focus on those few things for a while and keep with them. Not forever. But long enough.
But, I kept reading and reaching Chapter 5, 6 and onwards provided a lot of support and insight for me (and, in fact solved the issue with "hopping from one interest to another" by introducing the PRISM evaluation system). It could be that those chapters made such a huge impression onto me because it might be related to the fact I am currently looking to a career change that will better suit my Focal points (things I am avidly interested in at the moment). Anyway, my trust in this book and author slowly returned at that point and I was happy I did not drop the book in the beginning.
As I mentioned earlier I could not stop comparing this book with "Refuse to choose". I actually got to conclusion that some exercises and key points are better described in "The Renaissance Soul" (i.e. the key values idea compared to the idea of the 5-year plan in "Refuse to Choose"...really?! 5-year plan for such type of a personality?! We cannot follow 5-year plans! We need to change and improve constantly. Hence the focus onto 5 key values seems more balanced to me. On the other hand, "Refuse to Choose" provides better insight with regards to the different types of scanners/Renaissance souls, and it definitely helps in choosing a better strategy to succeed with your focal points (if you are already familiar with your personality traits) having handy examples in hand. Also, I was thrilled to get to the "Being Perfect about Perfection" exercise because perfection can really be a huge stopper for me. I was like "So, finally, I will get a chance to be supported and learn how to better deal with this thing called perfectionism". I read the guide for the exercise, all notes....and nothing happened. Actually the exercise seems a bit incomplete to me. Ok, you choose different perfectionism degrees and assign them to your focal points. But, how exactly is this supposed to help you?!
Anyway, to finish my review I'd just advise you to read both this book and "Refuse to Choose" by Barbara Sher and choose what YOU personally need for YOUR unique case from both books. But, don't limit yourself to just one of them. And, read them with an open mind. Resist dropping the book if you don't agree with something at a certain point, and have a chance to think and compare with the other book, then with your personal case. Take a chance to discover your true Renaissance Soul and develop it fully! Don't quit!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2014
Much workplace advice is based on becoming an “expert” in one’s field. But some of us don’t have the kind of single-minded devotion required to dedicate oneself to a single field for a lifetime. For years, I worried that my career was hampered by the odd personality bent that led me to pursue diverse topics of study, sometimes for years on end, only to drop them later for something else. I made a niche for myself as a factotum, but I occasionally regretted not having one area of expertise.
Then I discovered this book.
Margaret Lobenstine has done us a great favor by giving us a reassuring label for our predilection. Being able to label one’s behavior is to increase one’s understanding of it. Better still, by collecting the stories of other Renaissance Souls -- people like Maya Angelou and Ken Burns -- Lobenstine reassures us that we’re not alone.
Reading this book, I discovered that I’m not odd. I’m not scatterbrained. I’m not a failure. I’m a Renaissance Soul.
Lobenstine proposes a continuum of interest, ranging from the single-minded pursuit of one art from an early age, as we see in Wolfgang Mozart, to the multitude of changing interests pursued throughout a lifetime, as we see in Benjamin Franklin. People will fall at different points along this interest continuum, and knowing where you are on it can help you design a career and a life that will be fulfilling.
Lobenstine gives us another helpful label: focal point. This is her term for any area of interest, regardless of whether it’s a job, a hobby, or a hobby you want to turn into a job. She outlines a variety of career paths, including options such as developing an umbrella title to embraces several interests -- writing, for example, can embody numerous topics -- and pursuing two careers simultaneously that complement one another -- such as banking and financial planning.
The book contains a number of exercises meant to help one identify one’s values and interests and prioritize them. These will be familiar if you’ve worked with a life coach or executive coach before, or if you’ve read life and career design books. But the attitude of this book -- the way it embraces the variety we crave -- distinguishes it from all other such books. Because this isn’t just about career design. It’s about designing a life around your interests and desires, with the understanding that those interests WILL change.
Lobenstine recommends picking four or five focal points to concentrate on in any season, while keeping a notebook filled with ideas for pursuing other interests you may wish to keep in store for the future. Then, when you feel you’ve exhausted your possibilities for one focal point, you can pull your notebook out and choose another to take its place. She offers a structure and plan for the kind of interest-shifting Renaissance Souls will do anyway.
But one of the best lessons I learned from this book is that expertise does not require exclusivity. It may take longer to develop, but that doesn’t make one any less an expert.
Then I discovered this book.
Margaret Lobenstine has done us a great favor by giving us a reassuring label for our predilection. Being able to label one’s behavior is to increase one’s understanding of it. Better still, by collecting the stories of other Renaissance Souls -- people like Maya Angelou and Ken Burns -- Lobenstine reassures us that we’re not alone.
Reading this book, I discovered that I’m not odd. I’m not scatterbrained. I’m not a failure. I’m a Renaissance Soul.
Lobenstine proposes a continuum of interest, ranging from the single-minded pursuit of one art from an early age, as we see in Wolfgang Mozart, to the multitude of changing interests pursued throughout a lifetime, as we see in Benjamin Franklin. People will fall at different points along this interest continuum, and knowing where you are on it can help you design a career and a life that will be fulfilling.
Lobenstine gives us another helpful label: focal point. This is her term for any area of interest, regardless of whether it’s a job, a hobby, or a hobby you want to turn into a job. She outlines a variety of career paths, including options such as developing an umbrella title to embraces several interests -- writing, for example, can embody numerous topics -- and pursuing two careers simultaneously that complement one another -- such as banking and financial planning.
The book contains a number of exercises meant to help one identify one’s values and interests and prioritize them. These will be familiar if you’ve worked with a life coach or executive coach before, or if you’ve read life and career design books. But the attitude of this book -- the way it embraces the variety we crave -- distinguishes it from all other such books. Because this isn’t just about career design. It’s about designing a life around your interests and desires, with the understanding that those interests WILL change.
Lobenstine recommends picking four or five focal points to concentrate on in any season, while keeping a notebook filled with ideas for pursuing other interests you may wish to keep in store for the future. Then, when you feel you’ve exhausted your possibilities for one focal point, you can pull your notebook out and choose another to take its place. She offers a structure and plan for the kind of interest-shifting Renaissance Souls will do anyway.
But one of the best lessons I learned from this book is that expertise does not require exclusivity. It may take longer to develop, but that doesn’t make one any less an expert.
August 16, 2019
People who aren’t fully committed to the values that their activities represent sputter through life, pulled in one direction by their commitments and in another by their spirits.
When many different interests appeal to you, it can be frightening to commit too deeply to any particular one; the feeling that you’re closing the door on all the others is too distasteful. Lobenstine insists, I think correctly, that there really is time in life to pursue a multitude of varied passions; you just need to be intentional about focusing on only a few at a time, knowing you can come back to the others later. The book is a bit cheesy, but I found it helpful in spurring me to clarify precisely what I want to be doing in life right now, and making my peace with everything I won’t be doing right now.
October 12, 2014
هذا الكتاب هو أحد الكتب القلة التي أتخذها كرفيق درب وسفر دومًا فقراءة واحدة لا تكفي لهذا الكتاب الذي وصف الداء والدواء لمشكلة كانت تراودني من الصغر ألا وهي مشكلة الاهتمامات المتعددة وأول مايعلمك الكتاب هو أن تكف عن وصفها بالمشكلة بل تصفها بالميزة فالاهتمامات المتعددة كانت صفة لكثير من العظماء في التاريخ القديم والمعاصر الذين كانوا يبدعوا في كل بحور العلم ونرى في تاريخنا الإسلامي لقب العالم الموسوعي والتي كانت صفة أغلب علماء المسلمين حينها فلا تراهم يرضون بالفقه فقط ولا الحديث بل كانوا في الحديث والتفسير والأدب والفلسفة وغيرها ويكفي أن تذهب إلى ويكبيديا وتقرأ ترجمة أحد العلماء المسلمين لترى يقين ما أقول
يحاول الكتاب شرح كيفية التوفيق بين الاهتمامات وكيفية تصميم حياة مناسبة لشخص ذا "روح ناهضة"
يحاول الكتاب شرح كيفية التوفيق بين الاهتمامات وكيفية تصميم حياة مناسبة لشخص ذا "روح ناهضة"
April 1, 2012
Great concept.
Failed to deliver.
While it defined and encouraged those who find themselves "renaissance souls," most of the stories or suggestions were a bit out of the realm of possibility for most of us who have other things in our life which need our attention. Silly things like work ... families ... other commitments.
Is it okay or normal to have a myriad of sometimes shifting interests?
Sure.
Is it possible to dwell there the majority of the time or make it our full-time occupation?
Odds and statistics would say no.
Failed to deliver.
While it defined and encouraged those who find themselves "renaissance souls," most of the stories or suggestions were a bit out of the realm of possibility for most of us who have other things in our life which need our attention. Silly things like work ... families ... other commitments.
Is it okay or normal to have a myriad of sometimes shifting interests?
Sure.
Is it possible to dwell there the majority of the time or make it our full-time occupation?
Odds and statistics would say no.
March 18, 2021
This book made me feel very calm, relaxed and happy with my life. I'm 21 at the moment and until now I've always struggled searching for who I am and knowing my true self. I feel like the author knows me since I was born. I can easily relate to 99% of the things written in the book. I would recommend it to anyone who finds a lot of things interesting and wants to know about everything. For a very short period of time I also found other people around me who feel the same way as I do. It really opened my eyes for recognizing such people and helped me realise that I'm not alone at all!
March 27, 2008
OK, I was seduced into reading this book because it describes me pretty well on the cover - the person with too many interests and not enough hours in the day or years in the life to address them all. But the solutions offered are so stupidly commonsense that every page I turned, I though, "Well, obviously - when do you get to your brilliant insights?" But the author never does.
Self-help books suck.
Self-help books suck.
March 15, 2017
I loved how this book put a positive name to what I am. While there was plenty in this book that didn't apply to me, my major takeaway is encouragement to follow my passions in the right time. I liked the identification of four "focal points" which can be rotated out when they've come to their natural conclusion. It gives freedom, yet structure.
December 29, 2019
This book is going to be a tool for me for years to come. Much like the emotions I have experienced reading Quiet, The Secret Lives of Introverts, and The Crossroads of Should and Must, reading this reminded me that I am exactly who God made me to be, and that other people might not understand my frequent job/career changes, shifting and broad/varied interests, but these things don't mean I am crazy or lazy or in possession of a flawed character. As the author points out, the way the tools she offers are implemented will vary individually, but the results will be very satisfying over time.
A quote I found this to be SO true for me: "...depression doesn't always come with a clear label. She [Dr. Carol Eikleberry, author of The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People] mentions clients 'who didn't think they were depressed because they weren't sad. But they did feel empty or numb, or very tired.' Depressed people may mistake this kind of apathy, in which they may sleep much of the day away, watch endless television, and generally do as little as possible, for a character flaw." I didn't sleep all day every day, but I watched a lot of TV because I was too tired at night to do much else, so it was a cycle of getting up to go to work to come home tired to repeat. I started looking forward to going to bed more than anything, and dreading getting up the next morning.
The author also quoted Dr. Eikleberry's book: "if you are not moving forward... because you are too tired to move anywhere, you may need treatment for depression as a first step." In just five sessions with a good therapist, my forward movement has commenced. There is more to be done, but the books mentioned in this review along with this book itself are helping tremendously.
A quote I found this to be SO true for me: "...depression doesn't always come with a clear label. She [Dr. Carol Eikleberry, author of The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People] mentions clients 'who didn't think they were depressed because they weren't sad. But they did feel empty or numb, or very tired.' Depressed people may mistake this kind of apathy, in which they may sleep much of the day away, watch endless television, and generally do as little as possible, for a character flaw." I didn't sleep all day every day, but I watched a lot of TV because I was too tired at night to do much else, so it was a cycle of getting up to go to work to come home tired to repeat. I started looking forward to going to bed more than anything, and dreading getting up the next morning.
The author also quoted Dr. Eikleberry's book: "if you are not moving forward... because you are too tired to move anywhere, you may need treatment for depression as a first step." In just five sessions with a good therapist, my forward movement has commenced. There is more to be done, but the books mentioned in this review along with this book itself are helping tremendously.
November 13, 2017
It was interesting and then it became so overwhelming. This book isn't really meant to be read all in one shot, and while it mentions to put the book down once I think it could use that reminder after every chapter. For a book that is trying to understand and motivate Renaissance Souls, that part really bothered me. BUT, I did like a lot of the ideas on how to figure out what to narrow in on when you keep thinking up new ideas, how to do them when you also have 50 other things happening at once, and how to find people to help. It seems like no brainers, of course, but it's good for someone else to tell you to buck up and get started.
June 6, 2021
Wow, this book really really resonated with me. I think the thing i liked best is just the whole owning the multiple interests thing. I think somewhere subconsciously i feel bad that i have a hard time with follow through after my initial enthusiasm for whatever next shiny thing i get into to, but this book shows me a way to embrace all the ways i can go ahead with my interests without being bogged down. I thought the exercises were Interesting too, particularly the reverse flowchart idea, I'm definitely excited to see if the tips and steps provided will help me produce more long term results 🥰
November 26, 2022
Wish I’d read this when I was younger. Many easy to implement ideas, practical and all encompassing. I feel seen, and would offer this title to others as a gift.
February 14, 2026
4.5 stars, lots of good tidbits and I feel understood
September 30, 2015
Of course (of course!) there's absolutely nothing wrong with being a specialist or having only one area of interest to dedicate one's life to IF, that is your choice, ambition and makes you happy. In fact, from school to the workplace such 'a cradle-to-grave, climb-that-one-career-ladder' approach to life is what our modern societies expect of us all. Have ONE goal, get yourself qualified in ONE field, settle down for ONE particular job and, let life pass-by. Forever.
Terrific.
Now, of course there's nothing wrong with that but... what a terrible nightmare that is for some of us!
There are people who, indeed, are widely curious, love multiple and constant activities, get bored quite quickly and, as soon as a challenge has been ticked off their box, would rather fly from one interest to the unrelated next than settle down in a nice (but boring!) comfort zone. Yes! We are talking here about those who are bursting from passion to passion and, constantly change gears in their hobbies, studies, jobs and else. We are talking here about the 'Jack of all trades, masters of none' but, proud to be so. And, honestly, how tough at time to sustain such an attitude, not only in the face of others' expectations but, also, your own!
If being a school dropper or living off a job completely unrelated to your qualification, having a CV looking like a patchwork of unrelated twists and turns or, a wide range of various hobbies that raise eye-brows sounds familiar to you then, this book is for you. It's for you especially if, you have ever felt there is something wrong with you, under pressure to conform, criticised for being unfocused, dispersed and spreading yourself thin and, all in all, misunderstood for being, at best scattered, at worst labelled with ADD and in serious need of therapy!
'Renaissance soul', 'scanner', 'multipotentialite' or, whatever the label ascribed, this book addresses our type of personality and, gosh! How refreshing, comforting and inspirational! I am usually very wary and prejudiced against the whole life coaching industry but, I found this pick quite nice to go through.
The thing is, Margaret Lobenstine does here a couple of things that are worth a look into. First, she obviously insists that, there's nothing wrong with aspiring of being a 'Jack of all trade, master of none' -for long (at least during the Renaissance era) it was actually an ideal to strive for. It's obvious but, comforting to be clearly and boldly stated. Then and above all, being such a personality type herself and, therefore, knowing exactly the kind of problems 'Renaissance souls' (as she terms us) encounter, she sets to give advices on how to organise our lives efficiently, without feeling scattered and/or loosing focus. Now, I for one personally found her advices and strategies very relevant and useful. It might sound light but, they are nice reminders -priority and focus, without loosing sight of YOUR values (and bugger others' expectation regarding what success is or is not).
That wasn't revolutionary for sure, nor especially life changing but, it has remained a cool read all along. So, if you are one of those 'Renaissance souls' interested in all and everything and, who cannot stand the boredom of a routine (from your hobbies to your job) then, please read this. It will be refreshing and relevant!
Terrific.
Now, of course there's nothing wrong with that but... what a terrible nightmare that is for some of us!
There are people who, indeed, are widely curious, love multiple and constant activities, get bored quite quickly and, as soon as a challenge has been ticked off their box, would rather fly from one interest to the unrelated next than settle down in a nice (but boring!) comfort zone. Yes! We are talking here about those who are bursting from passion to passion and, constantly change gears in their hobbies, studies, jobs and else. We are talking here about the 'Jack of all trades, masters of none' but, proud to be so. And, honestly, how tough at time to sustain such an attitude, not only in the face of others' expectations but, also, your own!
If being a school dropper or living off a job completely unrelated to your qualification, having a CV looking like a patchwork of unrelated twists and turns or, a wide range of various hobbies that raise eye-brows sounds familiar to you then, this book is for you. It's for you especially if, you have ever felt there is something wrong with you, under pressure to conform, criticised for being unfocused, dispersed and spreading yourself thin and, all in all, misunderstood for being, at best scattered, at worst labelled with ADD and in serious need of therapy!
'Renaissance soul', 'scanner', 'multipotentialite' or, whatever the label ascribed, this book addresses our type of personality and, gosh! How refreshing, comforting and inspirational! I am usually very wary and prejudiced against the whole life coaching industry but, I found this pick quite nice to go through.
The thing is, Margaret Lobenstine does here a couple of things that are worth a look into. First, she obviously insists that, there's nothing wrong with aspiring of being a 'Jack of all trade, master of none' -for long (at least during the Renaissance era) it was actually an ideal to strive for. It's obvious but, comforting to be clearly and boldly stated. Then and above all, being such a personality type herself and, therefore, knowing exactly the kind of problems 'Renaissance souls' (as she terms us) encounter, she sets to give advices on how to organise our lives efficiently, without feeling scattered and/or loosing focus. Now, I for one personally found her advices and strategies very relevant and useful. It might sound light but, they are nice reminders -priority and focus, without loosing sight of YOUR values (and bugger others' expectation regarding what success is or is not).
That wasn't revolutionary for sure, nor especially life changing but, it has remained a cool read all along. So, if you are one of those 'Renaissance souls' interested in all and everything and, who cannot stand the boredom of a routine (from your hobbies to your job) then, please read this. It will be refreshing and relevant!
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