Taking The Big Leap
This year is a Leap Year, and yesterday was Leap Day, giving us an extra day for 2024. Awesome!
One of my favorite TV shows was "Quantum Leap" (the older one with Scott Bakula as the story's hero). The thought of using quantum mechanics to leap backward in time to historical events was fun for me, combining two passions: history and sci-fi.
But let's talk today about a different kind of leap. There are all kinds of leaps. Leaps of faith, quantum leaps in physics, ballet leaps, spectacular leaps on fields of play, "leaping tall buildings in a single bound" (Superman, of course), and growing by leaps and bounds, among others. (Can you think of some other leaps)?
In the context of your personal growth and the growth of your business, what could be possible if you took a big leap or quantum leap? Is there something holding you and your company back? What is your and your company's full potential?
To put this into context, I've shared before how, when leading a workshop with CEOs, the idea of being the best in the world at one thing was something that one CEO found impossible. Impossible - really?
Follow your passion?
When asked what was the worst piece of business advice he had ever received, Billionaire Mark Cuban replied, "Follow your passion." Instead, he recommends "follow your effort." It's where you spend most of your time, giving you the most joy. (Entrepreneur Daily, digital version, February 22, 2024).
Sound advice.
Making The Leap
Your Zone of Genius - The Area of Most Joy
Several years ago, I read The Big Leap by Dr. Gay Hendricks. Hendricks wrote that we are at our best - the highest version our self - when living and working in our Zone of Genius. "Your Zone of Genius is the set of activities you are uniquely suited to do." It's where you experience the most joy, where time flies and feel a sense of fulfillment.
What keeps you from your Zone of Genius are Upper Limit Problems. Upper Limit problems are self-imposed and keep you from "your ultimate success." It is self-defeating behavior that emanates from your subconscious because, in short, you don't believe you deserve to be that happy or successful. An example that I see in most leaders (and have experienced myself) is Imposter Syndrome.
The Other Zones
There are other zones, such as your Zone of Incompetence (stay away from here), your Zone of Competence, and your Zone of Excellence. My advice, don't spend any time in the area of incompetence (that's what professionals are for).
Delegate, Delegate, Delegate - all activities in your Zone of Competence. You can do these areas well; however, they do not add joy to your life or serve your business well. If you have spent much of your time in this area, you have wasted your time and your company's resources.
This is a common issue for leaders because they know they can do it better and faster than someone else. The problem with functioning in your Zone of Competence is that you don't see the loss of overall value to your business by playing it safe.
Then there's your Zone of Excellence. Sounds pretty good, right? If you're functioning in excellence, then you're contributing to your firm, and you're fulfilled. But are you really? It's tempting to stay in this zone because this is the area of comfort, a.k.a. your comfort zone.
Your greatest impact to the overall business and it's value, as well as to you personally, is your time spent in your Zone of Genius activities. This is your highest level of creativity, contribution, productivity, and fullest potential.
In Search of Your Genius (How to)
As part of my work with leaders, we explore their Zone of Genius. The ultimate goal is to make every moment an expression of their genius. This takes time, and our work together is the starting point.
This is the Big Leap, moving from your Zone of Excellence to your Zone of Genius. In this zone, you experience a constant sense of purpose and joy. You don't feel like you're working, and time seems to expand to support your activities. How do you get there?
Hendricks suggests you do the following. First, commit to living in your Zone of Genius. Then ask yourself these questions:
❤️ What do you most love to do?
🏖 What work do you do that does not seem like work?
😃 What produces the highest ratio of abundance and satisfaction to the amount of time spent in your work? Let your mind flow freely, free of criticism and censure. Daydream a bit. Meditate.
💡What is your unique ability? This is the special skill - your greatest contribution - you are gifted with that can provide significant benefits to you and your organization.
This last question is the hardest to nail down. It takes a little effort to go deeper and explore it fully. So here are three ways to help you gain clarity about your unique ability. Fill in the blanks:
✅ I'm at my best when I'm ______________________.
✅ When I'm at my best, the exact thing I'm doing is _______________________.
✅ When I'm doing that, the thing I love most about it is ____________________.
When you feel a sense of wonder and excitement, you'll know you're getting closer to that unique ability that you possess.
Until next time!
