Thriving as a First Daughter Multipotentialite: The Third Way

The Myth of Picking One Thing

“Jack of all trades, master of none.”

How many times have you heard that sentence? Too many, I bet. For years, it has floated around like some unwritten rule of life, convincing people that the only respectable path is to pick one thing, cling to it, and master it at all costs.

The Full Truth Behind the Phrase

But here’s the truth: the phrase is incomplete. The full version is actually, “Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than master of one.”

And suddenly, the tone changes, doesn’t it?

This incomplete version has robbed many of us of the joy of flowing with who we are meant to be. It has pressured ambitious women, multipotentialites, and first daughters into linear boxes they were never designed to fit in. It has made us believe success is only valid if it looks like Warren Buffett’s investment empire, Lionel Messi’s football genius, or Beyoncé’s stage mastery.

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Reclaiming the Multipotentialite Identity

If you’ve ever been told “you’re doing too much” or “you need to just pick one thing,” then congratulations, you’re probably a multipotentialite.

Multipotentialites are people with many interests and creative pursuits. We thrive not by narrowing ourselves into one lane but by weaving multiple skills, passions, and curiosities into something whole.

As a first daughter, I understand the pull of expectations. Society wants us to be the responsible ones, the one who has it all figured out, the ones who set the path. But what happens when your heart beats for more than one thing? What happens when you’re as curious about designing as you are about writing, or as drawn to coding as you are to baking?

You might feel torn. You might even feel like a failure for not choosing. But the truth is, your identity isn’t fragmented. It’s layered.

Reflection Prompt:
Take a journal and write down three labels people have given you that made you feel “too much” or “not enough.” Now, write one sentence for each, reclaiming it. For example:

• “Too distracted” → I am curious, and curiosity fuels innovation.
• “Too scattered” → I am versatile, and versatility makes me adaptable.
• “Too ambitious” → I am driven, and drive creates opportunity.

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Society Paths to Success

But here’s the thing: society rewards people in three main ways.

1. By being extremely good at one thing: the absolute best, so rare that people pay heavily for your expertise. This path is zero-sum: a few winners, many unseen strugglers. Think of Ronaldo’s goals or Buffet’s portfolio.
2. By being very good at several things, even if you’re not “the best” at each one. You may never hit the #1 spot in a single field, but by combining skills into something unique, you create extraordinary value. You build bridges others don’t see.
3. By becoming known for one thing first, then diversifying. This is the hybrid route, focus deeply on a single craft until your name is tied to it, then expand into other skills and industries. Many entrepreneurs, artists, and thought leaders follow this path: first, mastery builds their platform, then diversification sustains their growth.

The first path? It’s dazzling but limited to a few. The second path? That’s where most of us thrive. The third path? That’s where mastery meets expansion, a reminder that you can start with depth and still embrace range.

And that’s where skill stacking comes in, the art of leveraging multiple skillsets to create a flow that feels both authentic and powerful.

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The Three Pathways to Success

Now let’s break it down.

Path One: The Specialist

This is the person who puts all their energy into becoming the best at one thing. It’s high risk, high reward. Out of millions of footballers, only a handful reach Bonmati’s level. Out of countless investors, only a few stand alongside Walton.

This path requires obsession, discipline, and often, luck and preparation. For most of us, it’s out of reach, but that doesn’t make us less.

Path Two: The Multipotentialite Stacker

This is where skill stacking shines. You might not be the world’s best designer, marketer, or writer, but being good at all three can make you unstoppable. The uniqueness lies in the combination.

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu started with soleRebels (sustainable footwear, which became globally recognized), then expanded into coffee (Garden of Coffee) and other impact-driven ventures. She’s the classic stacker: establish credibility in one area, then layer on more industries.

Path Three: The Hybrid Master

This is the sweet spot in between. First, you go deep into one skill until you’re recognised for it. That recognition builds trust, audience, and credibility. Then, you use that platform to expand into new fields.

Think of Serena Williams, first, a tennis legend. But once she became known for that mastery, she diversified into business, fashion, and activism. Or consider Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, first a writer, then expanded into speaking, feminism, and cultural commentary.

Reflection Prompt:
Which of these three paths do you resonate with most right now? Write it down. And remember, your answer can change with seasons of life.

The Science and Soul of Skill Stacking

Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert comic strip, coined the term “talent stack.” He wasn’t the best cartoonist, nor the funniest writer, nor the sharpest business analyst. But by combining these three skills, he created something unforgettable.

That’s skill stacking.

It’s the principle that being in the top 20% of multiple skills often beats being in the top 1% of one skill. Why? Because rare combinations open doors.

Everyday Examples

• The Baker → She doesn’t just bake; she knows customer service, marketing, bookkeeping, and design. Suddenly, she’s not just a baker, she’s running a thriving pastry brand.
• The Teacher → Add tech literacy, public speaking, and empathy, and suddenly she’s not just teaching a class—she’s shaping global conversations on education.
• The Content Creator → Maybe she’s decent at writing, decent at design, and decent at community building. Together? She builds a platform people can’t look away from.

Reflection Prompt:
Write down your core skill, the thing people already recognise you for. Now, list 5 supporting skills (big or small) that can strengthen it. Example: Writing + Research + Graphic Design + Empathy + Digital Marketing. That’s a powerful stack.

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Building Your Personal Flow

As a marketing and communication manager, I often found myself doing a little bit of graphic design on the side. At first, I compared myself to professional designers and felt I was “lesser” because design wasn’t my strongest gift.

But then I realised something important: my edge wasn’t about being the “best designer.” My edge was in being a marketing and communication professional who could also design, someone who could blend strategy, storytelling, and visuals together. The value wasn’t in one isolated skill. The value was in the stack.

That’s what makes multipotentialites thrive; we don’t move in straight lines. We build in layers, weaving skills into a rhythm that is uniquely ours.

Exercise: Skill-Mapping Journal

1. Write your main skill in the centre of a page.
2. Around it, draw 5 branches of supporting skills you already have or want to grow.
3. Connect the branches with arrows to imagine projects where they overlap.

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When Identity Feels Messy (Finding Who You Are)

Let’s be honest: sometimes the multipotentialite journey feels messy.

When you’re thinking about what to publish online, you get stuck in a loop: “Is this really me? Is this what people expect? Should I hide the other parts of me?”

Here’s the thing: the real you is the one the world needs. Not the filtered, boxed, watered-down version. The authentic mix of curiosity, talent, and vulnerability is where your value lies.

Tips to Untangle the Mess

• Don’t overthink it. Not every post has to go viral. Create because you love it, because it matters to you.
• Stay consistent. Don’t wait for perfection; rhythm matters more.
• Know your brain. Work with your energy cycles, not against them.
• Choose your platform wisely. Writers thrive on X (Twitter), makers on IG, teachers on YouTube.

Reflection Prompt:
Think of one piece of content you’ve been overthinking. Write and post it in the simplest form possible, without editing it to death. Just let it be.

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Practical Guide – Layering Skills Without Burning Out

Here’s the risk of being a multipotentialite: overwhelm. Too many skills, too little focus.

The Balance Rule

• Pick an anchor skill (your strongest).
• Add 2–3 supporting skills.
• Explore others lightly, but don’t overload.

Example:

• Anchor Skill → Writing
• Supporting → Design, Psychology, Digital Marketing
• Exploration → Photography, Podcasting

By layering carefully, you expand without burning out.

Daily Practices:

• Study 30 minutes.
• Practice 30 minutes.
• Share something small daily.
• Reflect weekly.

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On The Blog: Through Her Eyes #1: First Daughters Reflect on Feminism

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The Power of Community in Skill Stacking

Here’s the secret: you don’t have to do this alone.

Community is where multipotentialites thrive. Why? Because we mirror each other. We see skills in one another that we don’t see in ourselves.

This is why Novellisteer exists: to remind first daughters, multipotentialites, and introverted women that your layered identity is valid.

Reflection Prompt:
Write down three people in your circle. Ask yourself: If I combined my skills with theirs, what could we create together?

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Case Studies of Multipotentialites Who Thrived

• Afua Bruce → Engineering + Policy + Social Impact. She trained in engineering, worked in tech companies, then moved into public policy and social good — merging tech, leadership, and community change.
• Ayọ̀ Tometi (formerly Opal Tometi) → Tech + Activism + Writing. She co-founded Black Lives Matter, but also works at the intersection of digital tools, migration, and social change.
• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie → Storytelling + Feminism + Speaking. She didn’t hide her multidimensionality; she built on it.
• Serena Williams → Tennis + Business + Activism. Known first for sports, she expanded into venture capital and advocacy for women of colour in business and health.
• Mo Abudu → Broadcasting + Storytelling + Entrepreneurship. From HR to media, she stacked skills to found EbonyLife Media, amplifying African narratives globally.
• Oprah Winfrey → Media + Business + Philanthropy. She grew up carrying family burdens, but used her gift of conversation and vision to build a media empire while funding schools and opportunities.
• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala → Economics + Policy + Global Leadership. As a first daughter from a Nigerian royal family, she blended financial expertise, diplomacy, and leadership to become Director-General of the WTO.
• Beyoncé Knowles-Carter → Music + Business + Cultural Storytelling. She turned artistry into a global brand, producing films, building Ivy Park, and shaping narratives of Black identity.

These examples remind us: greatness is rarely linear.

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Turning Multipotentialite Energy into Strategy

Okay, let’s make this practical.

Framework to Leverage Your Skillsets

1. Identify Your Anchor Skill – your core strength.
2. Select 2–3 Complementary Skills – the ones that boost your anchor.
3. Test Through Projects – side hustles, collaborations, content.
4. Refine and Re-align – keep what flows, let go of what drains.

Download the “Skill Stack Blueprint” template with three columns → Anchor Skill | Supporting Skills | Possible Projects.

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Conclusion: The Art of Being Novel

At Novellisteer, we believe being “novel” is not about being strange; it’s about being layered, unique, and whole.

The art of being novel is daring to be more than one thing. To claim your flow. To weave your identity into something the world has never seen before.

Final Reflection Prompt:
What’s the next skill you’re going to layer into your life?

Remember: your value is not in shrinking to fit one box. Your value is in creating a new shape entirely.

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Let’s Talk in the Comments…

• Which part of your multipotentialite journey feels the most misunderstood by others right now?
• If you could combine 2 (or more) of your passions into one project, what would it look like?
• Do you see yourself in any of the women I mentioned, or do you feel like your path is different?