The Dreaded Question
"So, what do you do?"
For multi-passionate people, this simple question triggers panic.
You have three businesses, two side projects, and a nascent podcast. You're equally invested in coaching, AI education, and wellness. You can't just pick one without feeling like you're lying.
So you ramble. You see their eyes glaze over. You leave feeling scattered and embarrassed.
There's a better way.
The Problem: Leading With Activities
Here's how most multi-passionate people answer "What do you do?":
"Well, I run an AI consulting business, and I also have a coaching practice for entrepreneurs, and I create content about productivity, and I'm working on a book about meaning in the AI era, and I also do some speaking..."
By the third "and," they've lost interest.
The problem: You're listing activities without providing a unifying theme. The listener has no mental hook to hang this information on.
The Solution: Lead With Your Thread
Your Unique Thread is the common theme connecting your diverse activities. When you lead with the thread, everything else flows naturally.
The Formula
"I [THREAD] through [EXPRESSION 1], [EXPRESSION 2], and [EXPRESSION 3]."
Examples
Before: "I run a tech podcast, and I also consult for startups, and I write about AI, and I'm advising a couple companies..."
After: "I help entrepreneurs navigate technology transitions—through consulting, content, and advisory work."
Before: "I'm a life coach, and I also do corporate training, and I have a meditation app, and I write about wellness..."
After: "I help people find calm in chaos—through coaching, corporate workshops, and a meditation platform."
Before: "I teach AI, and I do career coaching, and I write about purpose, and I run workshops..."
After: "I create clarity for people making important decisions—through AI education, career coaching, and content."
How to Find Your Thread
If you don't have your thread yet, complete this exercise:
- List your top 5 activities (businesses, side projects, interests)
- For each, write: "I'm drawn to this because..."
- Find the pattern in your "because" statements
- Articulate it: "I [verb] [who/what] to/so that [outcome]"
For the complete process, see The Unique Thread Concept.
Adapting for Different Contexts
Your thread stays constant. Your highlighted expressions vary by audience:
| Context | Highlight These Expressions |
|---|---|
| Tech conference | AI education, consulting |
| Wellness event | Coaching, meditation app |
| Author event | Book, content, speaking |
| Social gathering | Whatever interests them most |
This isn't dishonest—you're genuinely all these things. You're simply choosing which facets to highlight based on what will resonate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Using Vague Thread Language
❌ "I help people live better lives."
✅ "I help entrepreneurs gain clarity for faster decisions."
Specificity creates memorability.
Mistake 2: Listing Too Many Expressions
❌ "Through coaching, consulting, speaking, writing, workshops, advisory work, and my podcast."
✅ "Through coaching, consulting, and content."
Three is maximum. Let them ask for more if interested.
Mistake 3: Apologizing for Complexity
❌ "It's complicated... I do a lot of things... it's hard to explain..."
✅ Confident, single-sentence answer.
Your multi-passionate nature is an advantage—own it.
The New Elevator Pitch
Next time someone asks "What do you do?", try this:
- Lead with your thread (one sentence)
- Give 2-3 expressions (one breath)
- Stop talking (let them follow up)
If they want more, they'll ask. If they don't, you haven't bored them.
Find Your Thread
The complete process for discovering your Unique Thread—and crafting explanations that resonate—is available in the book.
Get IKIGAI 2.0 on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
What's the biggest mistake when explaining a multi-passionate career?
Leading with your activities instead of your thread. When you list ventures, you overwhelm. When you lead with your common thread and then mention ventures as expressions, you create clarity and interest.
What if my interests genuinely don't connect?
They almost always connect at a deeper level. Look at motivation, not activity. Why are you drawn to each? The answer usually reveals a thread. If truly disconnected, consider which interests are core versus peripheral hobbies.
How do I explain this on LinkedIn?
Your headline should be your thread, not your job title. Example: "Creating clarity for entrepreneurs through AI, coaching, and content" instead of "CEO at X | Founder of Y | Advisor at Z." Let the thread do the work.
What if people want me to "just pick one"?
You're not avoiding focus—you're redefining it. Your focus IS the thread. Multiple expressions don't mean scattered focus when they're unified by a common purpose. The thread IS your "one thing."
Should I hide some ventures?
Not hide—prioritize. Lead with the ventures most relevant to your audience. The thread stays constant, but which expressions you highlight can vary by context. This isn't dishonest; it's communication strategy.
How long should my explanation be?
One sentence for the thread + one breath for examples. If you can't explain it in 15 seconds, people won't remember it. Brevity creates curiosity; rambling creates confusion.
Related Resources
- The Unique Thread Concept — How to find your connecting theme
- The Multi-Passionate Advantage — Why your range is a strength
- Purpose is Designed, Not Discovered — Build instead of search
- What is IKIGAI 2.0? — The complete framework introduction