Meet Keti Bochorishvili. She’s a talented portfolio careerist based in Tbilisi, Georgia. She deftly manages careers across the public and private sectors. We met in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader Program. She shares key insights from her fascinating journey.

Keti’s Careers

• Government Official

• Policy Maker

• Managing Director

• Program Manager

• Project Manager

• Public Outreach Officar

On her motivations for having many careers

Having multiple careers enriched my experiences, skills, and perspectives, fostering personal and professional growth. It’s been a dynamic journey, constantly evolving while leveraging diverse knowledge across domains.

Motivations behind pursuing different careers include:

Diversity of Topics: Each path introduced new subjects, challenges, and learning opportunities, expanding my expertise across various fields.

Working with Diverse Teams: Each career offered unique networks and team dynamics, enhancing adaptability and interpersonal skills.

Gaining Holistic Perspectives: Career switches provided a broader view of industries, aiding problem-solving by drawing from multiple experiences.

Embracing Challenges: Each shift pushed me beyond my comfort zone, fueling continuous growth, skill development, and adaptability in diverse environments.

Cultivating Innovative Thinking: Engaging in varied careers fostered creativity and innovation, encouraging diverse problem-solving approaches.

On how long she’s had these careers

I possess 25 years of management experience across diverse sectors. Nearly 7 years were dedicated to nonprofit organization within the educational sector. Subsequently, I served 10 years in Georgia’s public sector, with 7 of those years as a senior executive.

During this tenure, I led initiatives in Economic Policy, FDI Attraction, SME Sector Development, Export Promotion, Tourism Development, Innovation, National and International Promotion Campaigns, and Spatial Development. Presently, I manage my own business and work with diverse investment projects.

Advice to aspiring multi-careerists

Pursuing multiple careers can be rewarding, offering diversity, creativity, and a non-routine lifestyle.

However, it demands dedication, strategic planning, and adaptability to embrace new challenges and opportunities.

Continuous learning is essential — staying updated with trends, technologies, and developments across each field you’re engaged in.

Developing transferable skills like adaptability, communication, problem-solving, and leadership is crucial. In today’s dynamic job landscape, where new roles emerge and others are replaced, it’s never too late to change careers.

On overcoming obstacles

Setbacks can arise in various ways, both professionally and personally. Professionally, they may manifest as unexpected challenges in a new career, experiences of rejection or failure, or difficulties in juggling multiple careers.

On a personal level, setbacks might involve feeling overwhelmed, facing doubts about career choices, or encountering external pressures hindering progress.

As a government official, I served under four consecutive leadership changes within two democratically elected governments, resulting in a lack of stability.

During a pivotal decision to leave, adapting to new situations and acquiring new skills became imperative.

It is important to prioritize self-care, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and recognize the need for breaks are vital strategies to manage stress and prevent burnout.

On how multiple careers are beneficial

Each career path I’ve pursued has offered a distinctive viewpoint, fostering creativity and divergent thinking. With varied approaches to each role, I’ve been prompted to think innovatively and employ diverse strategies across all careers.

The synergy between these paths often hinges on transferable skills, diverse perspectives, and the ability to tackle problems from multiple angles. This holistic view often leads to innovative solutions and a deeper understanding of complex issues across different domains.

On personal time

Balancing personal life and work, especially when juggling multiple careers or demanding roles, was indeed very challenging, particularly during active working periods. I’ve often found myself dedicating a substantial amount of time and energy to work, sometimes at the expense of personal or family time.

The pursuit of professional goals, coupled with the demands of multiple careers, easily overshadowed the need for a balanced lifestyle.

Realizing the imbalance, I’ve come to understand the importance of actively managing personal time. It’s crucial to carve out dedicated moments for family, leisure, and personal well-being. Implementing strategies such as setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks effectively, and time-blocking for personal commitments has become essential in regaining a sense of balance.

Moreover, I’ve learned to delegate tasks and seek support when possible, allowing for more efficient management of professional responsibilities without compromising personal time.

Incorporating activities that rejuvenate and recharge, such as hobbies, exercise, or simply unplugging from work, has become integral to maintaining overall well-being.

On what she wishes she had learned earlier

To be more open to opportunities and desires, to listen more to myself and understand what I like doing, what makes me motivated, and energetic, what makes me excited and full of energy… and it is never too late to change career paths, even different ones. Invest in transferable skills and keep informed about the new trends.

On what to read

What I am reading now:

• The Changing World Order; Why Nations Succeed and Fail by Ray Dalio

• Albert Winsemius and Singapore, Here it is Going to Happen by Euston Quah

On the stigma of having many careers

The nature of work has indeed evolved significantly, and having multiple careers or pursuing diverse interests is becoming more accepted and even celebrated in many circles.

The best way to overcome any stigma is by confidently owning your choices and demonstrating the value and skills gained from your diverse experiences.

The more we celebrate individuality and the uniqueness of career paths, the more accepting society becomes of multiple careers.

On what to share

I try to maintain a professional demeanor when discussing my other project, emphasizing how skills or experiences from both projects benefit my current role.

I highlight the value it brings rather than the quantity of my engagements.

On sublimating ego

I focus on excelling in my day job, embracing it as an opportunity to learn and grow. I channel my passion into the tasks at hand, seeking fulfillment in mastering the nuances of my role.

Understanding that every experience contributes to my overall growth helps me sublimate any sense of ego or dissatisfaction. I approach each task with dedication, recognizing the value in the journey rather than solely the destination of my side career.

To each big project, success or result, there is a lot of hard, routine, disciplined work behind. I have realized this and looking to each task as part of the big picture.

On what is success

Finding success isn’t just about titles or money for me — it’s about achieving that state of “Flow.” It’s where I feel fully immersed, energized, and focused on what I’m doing.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of Flow perfectly captures this — being challenged just enough that my skills are pushed to the max. In my career and hobbies, I aim for that sweet spot — where challenges match my skills. Engaging in high-challenge activities like riding horses or skiing brings me immense happiness.

It’s about seeking that Flow state, making both work and free time fulfilling and engaging.

Here’s to finding your Flow and experiencing that satisfying state in everything you do!

A Day in the Life

I begin my day at 7:30 am by embarking on a refreshing routine that sets a positive tone for the hours ahead.

As the morning light illuminates the city, I head straight to the mountains located just behind my apartment.

The serene trail welcomes me for an invigorating hike, a ritual I cherish deeply. Ascending 300 meters in vertical elevation across a 5-kilometer path, I traverse the trails, feeling the crisp morning air invigorate my senses.

The ascent, though physical, offers more than just exercise; it grants me a meditative space where I can immerse myself in the tranquility of nature.

As I reach the summit, the panoramic view of the city unfolds before me, a breathtaking vista that never fails to inspire. It’s a serene start to my day, infusing me with a sense of peace and grounding that resonates throughout the hours ahead.

Where to find Keti

• LinkedIn

• Instagram

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Kabir Sehgal is a Multi Grammy & Latin Grammy Award winner, as well as New York Times bestselling author.