Is it always good to be in the zone?
There’s no shortage of buzzwords and phrases such as “flow states” and discovering your superpowers. All this points to an ideal state of performance mimicking the runner’s high. Don’t we all want that?
But what if being in the zone wasn’t what we thought it was? In fact, what if the majority of professionals, including high level leaders, don’t achieve self-actualized work known as the zone of genius?
If you’re unfamiliar with these terms, your zone of genius is where you do your best work, the kind of work only you can do. This work comes naturally to you and takes little effort because you’re so good at it. It’s what sets you apart from others, making you distinct and unique. It’s your super power.
Psychologist and author, Gay Hendricks, identifies four activity zones we fall into:
Zone of Incompetence: These are activities you’re not good at. You can shore up your weaknesses, but ultimately these aren’t going to be activities that help you excel or give you life.
Zone of Competence: These are activities you’re competent in. You can do them but others can do them just as well. I’m sure of many of past generations remained in their zone of competence in order to put food on the table and provide shelter for their families. They didn’t have the luxury of discovering their best work.
Zone of Excellence: These are activities you do extremely well. In fact, you can make a good living in this zone. You’ve built a reputation in this area and your company thrives on your output here. This is where most people who get in the zone remain. At some point something deep within may itch for something more or different but you can’t quite put your finger on it.
Zone of Genius: Enter the zone of genius. These are activities you’re uniquely suited to do. This is where you truly enter our flow state, activities with ease and purpose where time seems to stand still (or perhaps fly by), bringing us immense fulfillment and joy. But you only discover the zone of genius when you’re willing to leave the zone of excellence.
You can see why it’s difficult to get to the zone of genius. By age 40, our zone of genius begins to call to us with a greater invitation, but not everyone can identify it. Most people stay within their zone of competence or zone of excellence because it’s easier and safer.
To enter your zone of genius, nothing short of authenticity and courage are required. It will feel like a new adventure, a hidden area on the map waiting to be explored.
As a filter for taking on an activity or project, one of my mentor asks these 3 questions: “is it simple, is it effortless, and is it fun?” These questions help him to stay in his zone of genius where he’s fully energized, giving his best energies to serve others.
Taking stock of your activities, what zone of work best describes your current work?
What have you noticed in your body, emotions, and thoughts about your sense of satisfaction and fulfillment when it comes to your work?
Summary
Gay Hendricks identifies 4 zones of work we fall into.
Most people remain in their zone of competence or excellence instead of in their zone of genius.
Entering your zone of genius will take authenticity and courage.
You can design a filter for yourself to stay in your zone of genius.
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