Identify Your Zone of Genius
This blog is based on insights from Gay Hendricks’ “The Big Leap”
Do you ever find yourself settling for the bare minimum? Maybe you are great at your job but don’t push yourself to reach for more. You’re content with where you are and don’t want to disrupt the momentum. This is known as what we call the Upper Limit Problem.
What is the Upper Limit Problem?
The Upper Limit Problem, was created by Gay Hendricks and adapted from his book The Big Leap. This refers to the self-imposed limitations that individuals place on their own success, happiness, and personal growth.
It suggests that people create thresholds beyond which they feel uncomfortable or unworthy of experiencing too much joy or fulfillment. This can come out in various ways, such as sabotaging opportunities, creating conflict in relationships, or feeling guilty when things are going well.
Essentially, the Upper Limit Problem is about recognising and overcoming the internal barriers that prevent us from reaching our full potential and experiencing greater levels of happiness and success in life.
Why do we need to recognise the Upper Limit Problem?
Just like kids who naturally glow with joy, we have the ability to radiate brilliance. But as we grow up, we create fears and doubts that build walls around our potential. These walls affect different parts of our lives, like stopping us from following our passions or causing problems in relationships or careers. Think about something you’ve always wanted to venture into but never did it because of fear.
And so, recognising the Upper Limit Problem is key to breaking free from these limitations. To recognise these fears.
It could be as subtle as the language we use, like saying “I love to, but…” or “I can’t.” These phrases may seem innocuous, but they reveal deep-seated beliefs about our capabilities.
When we understand the patterns of self-sabotage and the fears behind them, we get insight into what’s holding us back. This helps us challenge the beliefs that keep us stuck and see discomfort as a way to grow.
Whether it’s hesitating to pursue something we love, sabotaging a new relationship, or holding back in our careers because we’re scared of failing, the Upper Limit Problem affects us all. But by becoming more aware of ourselves and embracing vulnerability, we can start to overcome these limits and reach our true potential.
How do we overcome the upper limit problem?
Gay Hendricks introduces a framework called the Genius Zone. Imagine a spectrum of competency, ranging from incompetence to excellence. Identifying your Zone of Genius involves deep introspection and self-awareness. It’s about understanding what activities and tasks light you up from within, where you feel most alive and aligned with your true essence.
When we identify what’s within each zone, we will be able to find our true passion.
In this spectrum, there are four distinct zones:
- Incompetence: This is where tasks where we struggle and often make mistakes. Think of tasks that just don’t come naturally.
- Competence: In the competence zone, where we’re capable but perhaps not passionate. It’s easy to linger here, especially if we fear delegating tasks to others. We can do them well, but they don’t fulfill us on a deeper level.
- Excellence: Moving up the spectrum, excellence is where we excel and earn recognition. While comfortable, it can become a trap if it holds us back from exploring our true potential.
- Genius: The Zone of Genius is where our unique talents, passions, and purpose converge. Where we shine brightest. It’s where our unique skills and experiences converge to make a meaningful impact. In this zone, we experience a state of flow, and our work feels effortless and deeply fulfilling. It’s where we make our most significant contributions to the world.
Discovering your Zone of Genius requires asking yourself some important questions
- What activities or tasks do I find effortless and deeply fulfilling?
- When do I lose track of time because I’m so engrossed in what I’m doing?
- What unique talents and strengths do I possess that set me apart from others?
- How can I leverage these talents to make a meaningful impact in the world?
In the process of finding your genius, you will find yourself sabotaging yourself more. It’ll be beneficial to keep track of the fears and things that are stopping you from achieving your goals. Coaching yourself through the process can help shed light on some of the moments you find yourself holding back. You can use this beginner coaching technique here. Or you can find a coach to help you out through the process!
To sum up…
Gay Hendricks’ concept of the Zone of Genius offers a powerful framework for unlocking your fullest potential and living a life of purpose and meaning. By identifying and embracing your unique gifts and passions, you can step into your Zone of Genius and make your most significant contributions to the world. To read more about the upper limit problem and our different zones, you can purchase Gay Hendricks’ book here.
About the Author
Jean Balfour is Managing Director of Bailey Balfour and Programme Director of our ICF Accredited Coach Training Programmes. Jean is passionate about helping people to have good conversations both at work and at home. She believes that coaching is a life skill and that you never regret learning to coach.