Subtitled: Conquer your hidden fear and take life to the next level
This book is a cornerstone of many programs which dig into our limiting beliefs. It’s such a classic in that area that I’d honestly thought I’d already covered this book in my Takeaway Tuesdays! But as I was gathering book recommendations for someone wanting more confidence, I realized I hadn’t, So here we go:
Hendricks is a psychologist and best-selling author who introduces us to a few of his key ideas: our Upper Limit and our Zone of Genius:
My big takeaway from this book when I first read it was The Upper Limit. Once I got my head wrapped around it, I couldn’t NOT see it in my life and those around me. Basically, our upper limit is the point at which we start to sabotage our own happiness.
Sounds counter-intuitive doesn’t it – to find ways to NOT be happy? Well it turns out most of us do this unconsciously.
He has some great examples in here from his own life and from his clients which really help to get this novel approach more grounded.
For instance, he discovered this issue when he analyzed his adverse reaction to feeling immense joy and contentment. On this specific day, he had been a part of some invigorating meetings that morning, and his personal life was also going well. Yet, as he settled into his office after a particularly productive lunch meeting, he noticed he started thinking negative, worrisome thoughts about a daughter off at college. His mindset had suddenly shifted from joy and abundance to worry and negativity.
It sounds simple and honestly well, HUMAN for a brain to switch from one mindset to another, but as he dug into this topic he saw patterns of this shift happening. And these shifts were the challenge which ultimately limited the people being studied from reaching their potential.
And as he implemented his approach for facing the fears which put that upper limit in place, he and his clients saw big gains in their joy, happiness and growth. Clients like Michael Dell; yes – founder of ‘that” Dell; musicians like Bonnie Raitt and Kenny Loggins.
Once people can push away from the upper limit, they spend much more time in their Zone of Genius as he calls it. This is the set of activities you are uniquely suited to do. And as he puts it – ‘liberating and expressing your natural genius is your ultimate path to success and life satisfaction.’
I’ve seen how amazing it is to spend time in that zone of genius in my own life – and in my clients as well. Spending as much time as possible in that zone is what gets me up and at ‘em every morning!
He calls out three other zones: incompetence, competence and excellence, and it’s fascinating to see how we can evolve through the different zones.
He then spends a big chunk of the book helping the reader find their own zone of genius and how to set themselves up to spend as much time in it as possible. This includes learning how to spot an upper limit moment, facing the fears which set that limit and nurturing our talents and strengths.
The Big Leap is a short book, but man does it pack a punch! I absolutely recommend it for those who crave more impact, confidence and are ready to shut off those limiting beliefs.
When you do read it, let me know what your top takeaways are!
