Physicist Albert Einstein would play music whenever he hit a roadblock in his work. According to his family, the accomplished violinist and pianist would conclude his jam sessions saying “There now, I’ve got it.” Similarly, writer, anthropologist, and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston had a verdant green thumb, cooking the bounties of her vegetable garden alongside southern specialties like okra and shrimp. Painter, sculptor, architect, engineer (and more) Leonardo de Vinci was famously known for excelling in multiple disciplines—from Mona Lisa to The Vitruvian Man.
History attests to the creative power of polymaths. Luckily, today’s AI-, internet-, and cloud-powered world makes learning and exchanging information easier than ever; being a polymath is more accessible than ever. The next lesson is just a thumb-stroke away—but so is the next distraction. As a business owner, I’ve realized that becoming a generalist is essential for navigating a rapidly changing world. Here’s a closer look at why being a polymath is a requisite for success, along with some strategies for cultivating this skill set.
Why Being A Polymath Is Essential
Current global challenges are more pressing than ever and require more creative, interdisciplinary problem-solving to come up with solutions. With more awareness of how our actions impact the environment and future generations, responsible innovation is as challenging as it is crucial. Tackling these issues requires knowledge that spans multiple fields.
Meanwhile, the advent of AI has resulted in the automation of rote, manual tasks. Rather than replacing human jobs, this shift has made uniquely human skills, such as empathy, critical thinking, and creativity more valuable than ever.
So, what does this have to do with being a polymath?
The Connection Between Polymathy And Creativity
Research suggests that developing diverse disciplines fuels creativity and productivity. For example, studies show Nobel Prize-winning scientists are about 25 times more likely to sing, dance, or act than the average scientist, 17 times more likely to create visual art, 12 times more likely to write poetry, and four times more likely to be a musician. Talk about multi-faceted over-achievers.
Experts believe it stems from cross-pollination. Ideas from one discipline can inspire another. World-renowned chef Massimo Bottura, for instance, has said that art inspires his Michelin-starred cooking. What’s more, shifting mental gears can give your brain a much-needed rest, clearing the space for creative breakthroughs.
Strategies For Cultivating Polymathy
If you don’t already have multiple professions under your belt, take heart: there are actionable steps for becoming more of a polymath. Here are some strategies that have worked for me.
Research across disciplines confirms that our capacity to learn or perform effectively diminishes after a certain amount of effort. If you’re working to master various skills or fields, it’s more productive to switch tasks or subjects and return later with a refreshed focus.
That said, aspiring polymaths can fall victim to what The Polymath author Peter Burke calls “Leonardo syndrome”—spreading yourself too thin. Named after the most famous polymath, Da Vinci, who was notoriously brilliant but often impatient and distracted, it refers to the tendency to jump from subject to subject without completing any one task. So while you might tick items off your to-do list, you’re not being productive in a meaningful way.
To avoid this pitfall, I take a page from Cal Newport’s concept of “deep work.” Newport emphasizes the importance of sustained, undistracted focus on cognitively demanding tasks, helping ensure depth and mastery rather than superficial exploration. As Newport explains, “In order for a session to count as deep work there must be zero distractions. Even a quick glance at your phone or email inbox can significantly reduce your performance due to the cost of context switching.”
When I’m learning about a new subject, for example, I set a timer, silence my devices and notifications, and aim to get into a state of flow. I try to immerse myself in the topic and let distractions and concerns fade into the background. Best case scenario? I lose track of time until the alarm pulls me back. After several focused learning sprints, however, I start to notice diminishing returns—my thoughts feel slower, and my brain begins to feel saturated. That’s when it’s time to switch gears and tackle a different task.
Finally, leveraging the latest generative AI tools has been transformative in my learning journey. Tools like ChatGPT make it easier than ever to streamline research, synthesize information, and practice critical thinking through Socratic-style drills. Whether you’re exploring a new field or refining an existing skill, today’s technology can accelerate your progress and help you dive deeper.
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