"Multi-skilled" as an alternative to the multi-passionate narrative
A while back, I was watching a Finnish reality show called Rich House, Poor House. The premise is simple: two families from opposite ends of the financial spectrum swap lives for a week. In one episode, a woman described as having multiple income streams—consulting, painting, writing books—was introduced with a term that stopped me in my tracks: multi-skilled [moniosaaja].
Hearing that word felt like a lightbulb moment for me. I’d always wrestled with being called “multi-passionate.” While it captures the essence of having diverse interests, it also carries undertones that never sat right with me—like being unfocused, indecisive, or even flakey. It didn’t fully represent the effort, expertise, and strategy behind how I work across different areas.
But multi-skilled? That hit differently.
Why “multi-skilled” resonates
The term “multi-skilled” isn’t just about interests—it’s about proficiency. It highlights capability across a variety of disciplines, without room for the “jack of all trades, master of none” interpretation. It’s a label that validates effort and achievement, not just enthusiasm.
For me, this simple reframe has had a profound impact. Instead of questioning if I’m spreading myself too thin or worrying about whether I “should” focus on just one thing, I now see my diverse skills as assets. Like diversifying investments, cultivating multiple skill sets has helped me adapt and explore opportunities in ways I couldn’t if I stayed in a single lane.
The evolution of my multi-skilled career
Looking back, my career has always been multi-skilled:
Photography: I started as a documentary family photographer nearly a decade ago, which built my foundation in business and creativity.
Coaching: My experience with burnout led me to coach other business owners on productivity and balance, drawing on my background in psychology and minimalism.
Podcasting: I’ve produced over 100 podcast episodes—an accomplishment that’s both rare and something I’m proud of. Creating content in this way has been one of my most fulfilling endeavors.
Digital media creative-ing: I’m so excited to support fellow creatives and deep thinkers with the digital assets they don’t have time for.
Coding: Recently, I started learning coding to diversify my skills further, which is helpful both in my business and to expand my job opportunities.
None of these ventures feel like distractions—they’re interconnected pieces of the bigger picture. Throughout them all, I’ve been able to help others focus on and celebrate what they do best.
A shift in perspective
The “multi-skilled” mindset doesn’t just make me feel better about my journey—it helps me reframe challenges. For example:
Rather than feeling guilty about pivoting my business focus from family photography to digital media and website design, I see it as leveraging my skills to serve a new audience.
I now embrace the adaptability and creative problem-solving that come from drawing on multiple disciplines.
It’s easier to plan for the future when I view my skills as a portfolio, ready to evolve based on the opportunities that arise.
Lessons for fellow creatives
This realization has sparked conversations with others who feel similarly. Some love the “multi-skilled” label and plan to adopt it immediately, while others feel more comfortable with “multi-passionate” until they feel proficient in their chosen areas.
Whatever term feels right, the takeaway is this: you don’t have to fit into a single box. Embracing versatility can be a huge strength—especially as a business owner. Whether it’s solving complex problems, creating innovative solutions, or simply feeling more secure in your expertise, being multi-skilled opens doors.
A call to action
If you feel boxed in by traditional labels, I encourage you to try on “multi-skilled” for yourself.
What would it mean for you to embrace your diverse talents with confidence? And how might this mindset help you grow your business, explore new opportunities, or simply feel proud of your achievements?