Margaret Lobenstine - The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One

CONTENTS

This book is dedicated first and foremost to Renaissance Souls the world over, whose multitude of interests and talents are a gift to us all; to my late parents, who would have been thrilled to hold it in their hands; and, with such profound gratitude, to my husband, Geoff, and my daughters, Heather and Lori, who have been on this journey with me so lovingly from beginning to end.

Advance Praise for

The Renaissance Soul

Wow! Where was The Renaissance Soul when I needed it during my five career changes? This is a fabulous guide for people who find themselves constantly tap dancing from job to job. Benjamin Franklin would be proud!

Julie Jansen, author of I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This

Sure to speak to Boomers and older people who have done many things well yet feel sidelined by a culture that rewards consistency and focus. Margaret Lobenstine makes the world safer for the multigifted of any age who are well served by her wit and wisdom. Bravo!

Marika and Howard Stone, coauthors of Too Young to Retire: 101 Ways to Start the Rest of Your Life

The Renaissance Soul is welcome news for individuals who just can't make up their mind what they want to be when they grow up!' Career coach Margaret Lobenstine shows how you can have it all and create a structure for yourself that blends your many talents, abilities, and intelligences into one vital and satisfying lifestyle.

Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D., author of Seven Kinds of Smart: Identifying and Developing Your Multiple Intelligences

Finally the multigifted have a champion. But anyone feeling that they only need a little sunshine in order to blossom will find this book bursting with lightit has all the creative and practical ideas they need for getting life on toward its purpose.

Elaine Aron, Ph.D., author of The Highly Sensitive Person and The Highly Sensitive Child

With this long-overdue book, Margaret finally reveals that the constantly evolving people among us are actually the ones most equipped to thrive in a world where adaptability, creativity, and emotional awareness are the qualities that make all the difference in career/life success. It's about time we acknowledged that the career track has been replaced by the career trampoline. As a career counselor and coach and former director of a career office working with people ages eighteen to eighty, I know that Lobenstine's message will be welcomed both by Renaissance Souls searching for twenty-first-century career advice and by the professionals hoping to provide it.

Dr. Barbara Reinhold, author of Free to Succeed: Designing the Life You Want in the New Free Agent Economy and former director of Smith College Office of Career Development

For all the people who have a multitude of passions, this book's for you. The life journey we take to answer to our own Self may be different from the norm.' Margaret Lobenstine is a wise guide on that journey, offering help and inspiration as you develop fully into the Renaissance Soul that you are meant to be! This book will be a cherished traveling companion.

Marilyn Tam, former president of Reebok Apparel and Retail Group and international-selling author of How to Use What You've Got to Get What You Want

The Renaissance Soul accurately solves what has long been an unsolvable problemhow people with too many' talents and interests can manage their diverse passions. With warmth, insight, and helpful exercises, Lobenstine helps these souls find their way to making a contribution... and finally feeling complete about what they're here to do.

Suzanne Falter-Barns, author of Living Your Joy

This amazing, inspiring, and practical book encourages us to take joy in our dazzling array of legitimate life choices and to make those choices boldly and fearlessly. The book is perfect to use with clients in my empowerment-coaching practice.

Helena Judith Sturnick, Ph.D., executive and empowerment coach for twelve years and former president of several campuses

Many of my coaching clients are individuals searching for more meaningfulness in their life and work, and organizational leaders who have made it yet are unable to figure out why they feel lost. Margaret Lobenstine has developed a breath of fresh air, along with a model of liberation for people who have felt that they don't fit in their life and work. The Renaissance Soul is an inspiring and easy-to-use approach that helps me guide my secret Renaissance Soul clients.

Bernie Saunders, consultant for Fortune 500 companies, foundations, small manufacturers, and health-care providers

The Renaissance Soul is the consummate Social Artist, embodying the complex interests and open hearts that are needed now in the global world. Today, when the world mind is taking a walk with itself, we require a consciousness that can encompass the multiple realities we face. This work gives us tools that enable that needed growth in consciousness.

Jean Houston, Ph.D., author of Jump Time and senior consultant to the United Nations Development Programme

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?

Are you frustrated by career books or college advisors who insist that you identify just one passion or goal?

Do you enjoy following a diverse and ever-evolving set of interests but feel thwarted by family members or friends who ask, Why on earth can't you find something you like and stick with it?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, read on! Chances are you're a Renaissance Soul, a person who thrives on a variety of interests and who redefines the accepted meaning of success. And chances are you're strugglingmaybe a little, maybe a lotbecause not everyone in our culture understands your approach to work and other pursuits. Take heart. With the advice in this book, you can transform this aspect of your personality into a powerful tool for designing a vibrant, fulfilling life.

PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME CHOOSE!

H ow do I define Renaissance Souls? In a nutshell, we are people whose number-one career or hobby choice is Please don't make me choose! We're much more inclined to pursue a slew of interests than to narrow our options to a single one. Renaissance Souls love nothing better than to take on a new problem or situation and then dig into it... until we master the challenge we've set for ourselves. And then, with fresh enthusiasm, we move on to another passion. We are lucky people who, if left to our own devices, are never bored for long.