Know When to Quit (Or If It’s Time to Take a Leap of Faith)

Have you ever felt like your motives, passions, interests and work just weren’t lining up? 

If you find yourself feeling more discouragement than delight with your current work reality, it could mean that you haven’t found your “Zone of Genius” yet (or maybe you have, but you aren’t currently operating in that zone.

I’ll explain. 

In his book, The Big Leap, Gay Hendricks describes how operating in the wrong “zone” can be detrimental to your creativity and completely life-sucking. He even details several cases that led to physical illness as a result of someone living in a state of misaligned passions and work. 

How your day-to-day tasks and responsibilities align with your passions and intentions is SO important for you as a High Performer to understand. Why? Because in order to reach new heights both personally and professionally, you need to be bringing your highest and best self forward!

But before you can take action, let’s evaluate…

Take a moment to see which zone you are most commonly operating in:

“The Zone of Incompetence”

In this zone, you are engaging in something you simply do not understand or you lack the skillset/know-how. Let’s just say...it’s a pretty draining zone to be in.

I’m going to assume that as a high performer, you aren’t residing here. But life and work can get tricky sometimes. Sometimes we can get so focused on the goals we feel will get us to more success that we lose ourselves in the process. Just in case, check-in with yourself. This zone is full of everything you are NOT talented in or built for. This is doing a job that feels like putting a triangle into a square because “someone’s gotta do it”. If you’re here, look quickly for the exit. 

“The Zone of Competence” 

You’re good at what you’re doing in this zone, but it doesn’t bring you joy or fulfillment.

This is the place where you are simply… replaceable. No hard feelings, it’s just, someone else could do what you are doing and do it just as well. You’re not thriving here and your creativity isn’t sparked. If you’re in this zone and doing well in your performance reviews but your zest for life is lacking, it’s time to do some evaluating on the inside… What makes you come alive?

“The Zone of Excellence” 

Wait. What’s wrong with excellence? Nothing at all. Except, if you’re here, where are you going next? The “Zone of Excellence” is so comfortable for a high performer because here is where you are thriving and tasting a great sense of satisfaction. People love you here, people need you here and hope you never leave. It’s a good spot, but what’s beyond that glass ceiling? According to Hendricks, reaching excellence means you’ve only scratched the surface of your potential. Do you ever wonder if there is more? If so, here is your permission to take some time to dream and do some soul work. (I can help you with that here).

“The Zone of Genius” 

Let’s call this zone the FREEDOM zone. Here you are able to be free and are “liberating and expressing your natural genius.” This is your “ultimate path to success AND life satisfaction” according to Hendricks. Within your genius zone you get to focus on activities and tasks that are uniquely suited to you. Here you are able to draw on your strengths, answer to your passions, and satisfy your deepest longings for creativity, challenges, and growth. 

So if you’re trying to figure out if what you’re spending your time on is your highest and best use...run it through these “zone filters” to see. If it’s in any zone other than the zone of genius and you’re able to delegate it or stop doing it altogether, it’s time for you to take that step! It can be a hard step to take, but necessary! 

The world needs you in your zone of genius (and you need it too). 

If you have followed me for any time at all, chances are you’ve already come to find out that I love helping you make bold moves that could better your life or the lives of those closest to you. Do you wonder if you are on the right path? Maybe you aren’t quite sure how to take your High Performance lifestyle to the next level by finding your zone of genius or creating a life where that zone is where you reside? 

If that's the case...I’d love to talk with you! You can jump on my calendar and book a free call here.