The Moment I Realized I Might Be a Scanner
If you’ve known me for any length of time, you’ve probably realized that I, ahem, dabble in quite a few passion projects. From blogging to flower farming, teaching yoga to managing multiple businesses—I’ve always felt pulled in many directions. And for the longest time, I thought this made me a bit… well, flighty.
Discovering Barbara Sher and the Scanner Personality
Then, I stumbled upon Barbara Sher’s book, Refuse to Choose!, and my world cracked wide open. There, in black and white, was a term that finally described me: scanner personality. I was only on page 54, but it’s already the most validating thing I’ve ever read.
“You’re not going to find one passion so great that all the others will disappear… Your genetic mandate is to make many commitments and enjoy each one to your full capacity.”
– Barbara Sher
Let’s pause and appreciate how discovering I’m a scanner has changed my entire outlook on life. I used to believe my inability to stick to one passion meant I lacked commitment, that I was lazy, non-committal, or even just a big, fat failure. Why couldn’t I commit to one thing? Why did I always get bored as soon as things got good?
And the worst thought of all: Why am I the only one like this?
The realization that being a scanner isn’t a flaw but an inherent part of who I am has been life-changing. Let me tell you how I stumbled upon this revelation—and yes, it’s a miracle it took almost 40+ years!
If you’re wondering whether this might describe you too, you can take my quick
👉🏻 Am I a Scanner? quiz.
How I Discovered the Scanner Personality Type
I was in a “blogging” Facebook group (because of course I was, scanners love their communities) linked to the Elite Blog Academy. I was struggling to find the perfect domain name, so I made a post about my blogging struggles. Here’s a snippet:
“I have been sort of a stalker on here for a couple of years… I’ve started and paused several ideas. I thought I was through Unit 1, but I keep going back to my domain/avatar/blog name. Hopefully, some of you that have made it big or are struggling with this too can help a girl out… I’ve had many passions: writing about personal struggles, entrepreneurship, yoga, goal setting, and even mental health solutions. But niching down? Impossible.”
A few comments trickled in, but one response stopped me in my tracks: “As a scanner personality, niching down has been incredibly difficult for me too.”
Naturally, I googled “scanner personality” and dove down a two-hour rabbit hole. Finally, I understood myself. For years, I thought my scattered passions were a weakness. But no—ta daaaa! I’m a scanner!
Traits of a Scanner Personality
Barbara Sher describes scanners as curious, creative, and multi-passionate individuals who are never satisfied with just one path. Here are some signs you might be a scanner too:
- You get obsessed with new ideas quickly
- You have more interests than you have time for
- You love learning but get bored after mastery
- Your Notes app is full of random ideas
- “Just pick one thing” makes you cringe
- You’ve started several projects that once felt like your next big thing
If you’re nodding along, you might be a scanner like me. And guess what? We’re not lazy or non-committal; we’re just wired to explore the world in all its endless possibilities.
If you’re constantly drowning in ideas like I was, the tool that helped me the most is something I call the Scanner Idea Parking Lot.
Here’s the thing: now that I’m sober, I can look back and see how feeling like I never fit in—struggling to finish projects, juggling too many ideas, and fearing commitment—made me feel so lost that I used alcohol to numb the pain.
Embracing the Scanner Life
Being a scanner has its perks. According to Sher, our broad focus allows us to make connections between fields that specialists might miss. We’re open-minded, fast learners, and happy to share our discoveries. Sounds pretty amazing, right?
Of course, the downside is that society doesn’t always celebrate our multipassionate nature. We get called “Jacks of all trades” or “masters of none.” But it’s time we embrace our uniqueness. Some of the most remarkable people in history were renaissance men and women, after all.
I could go on forever about this topic, and trust me, more posts are coming. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your many passions or worried that you can’t “settle down” into one thing, I invite you to embrace your inner scanner. It’s a journey worth celebrating.
Remember, if something scares you or excites you, try it. You might hate it, but you might not. And hey, you’ll never regret the things you did, only the things you didn’t.
Actually? You can.
Scanner Personality FAQ
Is a scanner personality a real psychological term?
The term scanner personality was popularized by author Barbara Sher to describe people who are naturally curious and interested in many different subjects. While it is not a clinical diagnosis, many people strongly identify with the description of having a multipassionate mind that thrives on exploration and learning.
Do scanner personalities struggle with focus?
Scanner personalities usually don’t struggle with focus itself. In fact, they can focus intensely when something is interesting or new. The challenge often appears once an idea becomes repetitive or predictable, which can make scanners feel ready to move on to the next curiosity.
Are scanner personalities successful?
Many scanners build successful lives and careers by combining multiple interests rather than choosing only one path. Entrepreneurs, creatives, writers, and innovators often have scanner tendencies because they enjoy exploring ideas across different fields.
Is a scanner personality the same as ADHD?
Scanner personalities and ADHD can sometimes overlap, but they are not the same thing. ADHD is a neurological condition related to attention regulation, while a scanner personality simply describes a pattern of curiosity and having many interests. Read the full article about ADHD vs. Scanner Personalities
How do scanners manage so many ideas?
Many scanners benefit from creating systems to capture ideas so they don’t feel overwhelming. Having a place to store inspiration allows scanners to revisit ideas later instead of feeling pressure to act on every idea immediately. Download the FREE Scanner Idea Parking Lot too.
What other articles should I read about scanner personalities?
If you’re curious about scanner personalities and multipassionate minds, these articles explore the topic from different angles:
• What Is a Scanner Personality? – a simple explanation of what scanners are and how this type of curiosity works.
• 15 Signs You Might Be a Scanner Personality – a list of common traits that many scanners recognize in themselves.
• Why Having Too Many Interests Is Actually a Superpower – why curiosity and exploring many ideas can become an advantage rather than a problem.
• ADHD vs. Scanner Personalities: What’s the Difference? – an important distinction that many people wonder about when learning about scanners.
• How to Organize Your Ideas When You’re a Scanner – practical strategies for managing lots of interests without feeling overwhelmed.
