Be a Renaissance Man or Woman: A Call to Action

Be a renaissance man.

Every now and again, I like to shift gears here and write about bigger things other than biceps and bench presses. Call it a 30,000-foot view post where I pan back and take in the “big picture” of something on my mind.

A few years ago, a friend had a look at my resume and quickly called me a renaissance man. Not in some artistic or esoteric way, but more about how I’ve had quite a few jobs and experiences.

I’ve always described my resume more as a roller coaster than a carousel. Many ups and downs, wild turns, and a few loops. I’ve worked for many organizations and causes bigger than me. From the military and homeland security to hospitals and universities, I’ve been exposed to so many great and varied experiences and have had the great opportunity to travel the world and meet so many great people. I’ve been a teacher, team chief, coach, bodybuilder, writer, airman, and even did a little modeling. I’ve been exposed to many layers of the human experience.

Up until my friend’s comment, I’d always viewed my work experience as a liability. Why would anyone hire me when I’ve been all over the map with experience? Why couldn’t I have a more linear path? One of steady, gradual advancement? There had always been a bit of shame with all of my ebbing and flowing.

But after the comment, it got me thinking. What if I look at it as an advantage? Why not promote myself with a myriad of experiences and knowledge? I’ve been in some pretty unique situations and have had to make some significant decisions, from being a team chief in the military and a manager and teacher in my civilian life.

The youth today (grumpy old man tone)

I don’t want to come off from some sort of pedestal, orating to the younger masses below me about how they need to get their act together. But I do want to voice my concern over the lack of risk they are taking.

We can talk all day about how younger people are staying home more, not joining clubs, the military, or other organizations that would grant them a host of life benefits and lessons. The reasons are vast, I am sure — and I don’t want to come off as the grumpy old man saying, “kids these days!” I mean, I was a “kid these days” once. So, no finger-pointing.

We grow up in a time when we grow up. We don’t have a choice. Everything from circumstances to technology has influenced our upbringing.

I just fear we are seeing fewer young people straying from the pack, exploring new experiences, and trying to get a little uncomfortable. I want them to have pride in becoming a renaissance man or woman — to not be afraid of taking some hard turns and enduring a few loops. To get on the roller coaster instead of the carousel.

Below are a few great examples of men who experienced numerous jobs and travels before settling into what they were best known for.

Jack London

Before he was an acclaimed writer, Jack London lived a life as if it were straight out of one of his novels. He worked numerous jobs, including oyster pirate, sailor, hobo, cannery worker, and gold prospector. He also worked in a jute mill, a street-railway power plant, as a member of the California Fish Patrol, and later as a journalist covering major events like the Russo-Japanese War as well as an animal activist.

Jack London’s travels included early explorations of the San Francisco Bay, a 1893 voyage to Japan, participation in the Klondike Gold Rush in the Yukon, traveling across the United States, work as a war correspondent in Asia, and a long-planned sailing trip to the South Pacific aboard the Snark.

Sean Connery

Well before his acting career, Sean Connery held various jobs such as a milkman, lorry driver, and laborer, and served in the Royal Navy. He also worked as a lifeguard at a public swimming pool, an artist’s model for the Edinburgh College of Art, a coffin polisher and a soccer player. Connery also pursued bodybuilding in his youth, competing in the Mr. Universe contest in 1953.  He’s held jobs as director, producer, screenwriter, and voice actor.

Louis L’Amour

Noted as the author of countless western novels, Louis L’Amour had a rather diverse upbringing full of ranch work and labor jobs. He skinned cattle in West Texas, baled hay in New Mexico, worked mines in Arizona, California, and Nevada, and hired on at saw mills and lumber yards in Oregon and Washington. He also made extra money from the occasional prizefight and circled the globe as a merchant seaman. He was also an officer in the U.S. Army (specifically commanding a platoon of gas tankers in WWII) while later becoming a successful writer/novelist of Westerns.

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So, what say you? Do you have a story to tell? What does your (life) life resume look like? Comment below.