How to Find Your Zone of Genius and Thrive

[FYI – A full video of this content is available on YouTube here]

I’m excited to write about this topic, because for the longest time, I denied who I was, what I wanted, and tried to make myself happy in a role I simply couldn’t thrive. I couldn’t thrive because I wasn’t doing what was truly aligned for me in skill and in passion. I was “stuck”.

We can often find ourselves picking up tasks that “need to get done” but not that you’re specifically skilled at or are the best to person for. Especially for founders, who almost always wear MANY different hats (including one of their favorites, the “hero” hat (😉 I jest for fun, I did this a lot in my last startup)), you may find that your role now consists of work you’re not particularly interested in or skilled at.

How do we get unstuck and find alignment between our skills and passions? By working in our Zone of Genius. This is what I’ll discuss in this blogpost.

Introduction to the Zone of Genius

First of, I want to say, our Zone of Genius isn’t a static destination. It’s an ever evolving path. A path. Not a destination. This is very important to keep in mind.

One of my favorite commitments from the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership is the commitment to live and work in one’s own Zone of Genius.

“I commit to expressing my full magnificence, and to supporting and inspiring others to fully express their creativity and live in their zone of genius.” – 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership

This means, saying “no” to holding oneself back and not realizing one’s full potential by living in areas of incompetence, competence or even “excellence” (one level below “Genius”).

Why this is important:

You only have one life to live. Why not live it well, doing something you’re uniquely talented at doing, and that gives you a lot of energy?

Many people are quite content in zones of competence and even excellence (more on these zones later). Most professionals stay stuck on a zone of excellence – somewhere that they are able to do good work, but doesn’t necessarily make them feel fulfilled in any way.

When you work in your zone of genius, you will:

• Feel great about what you’re doing
• Be better at it than anyone else
• Live to your full potential in and outside of work

Why most people never get there:

Many people are afraid of their own magnificence! I know, you might roll your eyes at this 🙄, but it’s true. When people reach their upper limit of potential, they often stay stuck. This happens because we carry self-limiting beliefs from our past that keep us tethered to the comfortable and familiar. Gay Hendricks wrote a great book about this that I highly recommend called The Upper Limit Problem.

Our limits are largely self-imposed, shaped by experiences that once served a purpose. However, our beliefs need regular updating! We often cling to protective beliefs formed when we were five or ten years old. While these may have shielded us from harm in childhood, as capable adults, these same beliefs now hold us back from reaching our full potential. This is another great reason to go to work with a therapist or coach to uncover these beliefs and work consciously to remove and update them, so that you can tap into your true potential!

Another reason people get stuck and miss out on their zones of genius is fear. Fear is a powerful motivator that often leads to destructive outcomes—as evidenced throughout human history in its wars and oppression of those who are “different”.

Operating from a place of fear prevents us from making conscious, enlightened choices. Those aligned with love (of creativity, of people, and of life).

That’s why committing to live in one’s zone of genius is essential for leaders who want to create better systems and a brighter future for everyone.

Where is this elusive Zone?

To live on this path of our “zone of genius”, or “path of genius” as I would say, it is important to know where it IS NOT. Let’s look at all the zones:

• Zone of Incompetence
• Zone of Competence
• Zone of Excellence
• Zone of Genius

Zone of Incompetence

The Zone of Incompetence one can be fairly obvious. It’s where you are not skilled at doing a certain set of tasks. For example, say you’re awful at drawing and not an artistic person, then being responsible for the design of your new company logo is definitely not the right thing for you. Most people are either not hired if for skills in their zone of incompetence, and in when they are, are usually let go of for this role. That doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable and don’t have something great to share with the world. It simply means that they are in the wrong role!

For these tasks and roles, you have two options: Dump it or Delegate it.

There is no value to you doing things you’re not good at nor enjoy doing.

A caveat here: if there is something you’re unskilled at but enjoy doing, go for it! Playfulness and joy are key aspects to a fulfilling life. Are you a terrible musician but simply enjoy learning to play the keyboard? That’s okay! Simply reserve these activities for your non-work related responsibilities. We call these hobbies. 🙂

Zone of Competence

The Zone of Competence includes tasks that you can do reasonably well but that others can easily perform just as effectively. These activities don’t require your unique talents, and while you may find them tolerable—or even mildly enjoyable—they don’t ignite passion or excitement. Spending too much time here can feel like a missed opportunity because it keeps you away from the tasks where you truly shine. Think of this zone as the “just fine” zone: you’re capable, but it’s not where your magic happens.

The real opportunity here in understanding your Zone of Competence lies in delegation and prioritization. Tasks in this zone are perfect candidates for outsourcing or automation, allowing others who excel in these areas to take over. This shift not only increases efficiency but also allows you to reclaim your time for work that energizes you and plays to your strengths. Imagine spending your days engaged in activities that light you up rather than feeling stuck in tasks that merely feel “fine.” Identifying and offloading these tasks is a crucial step toward living and working in alignment with your Zone of Genius.

Zone of Excellence

The Zone of Excellence is where your skills shine and your capabilities are celebrated. You’re exceptionally good at the tasks in this zone, often receiving praise, recognition, and possibly substantial compensation for them. It feels good—almost too good. This is why the Zone of Excellence can become a comfortable yet insidious trap. The external validation and rewards make it tempting to stay here indefinitely, but it’s a place of mastery, not magic. While you may enjoy the accolades, these tasks don’t truly ignite your inner passion or reflect the unique gifts that only you can bring to the world.

For founders wearing many hats, spending time in your Zone of Competence or Excellence can be invaluable during specific phases of growth. These zones are especially useful for short-term projects or transitional periods when you’re filling in gaps to move your company forward. For example, you might temporarily take on roles like product or project management while building your team. In these cases, your skills are sufficient to do the job well, even if it’s not where your passion lies. However, it’s important to recognize that these zones are best suited for short-term success, as long-term consistency thrives on genuine interest and passion. As your team grows, delegating these responsibilities allows you to shift your focus back to your Zone of Genius, where you can lead with energy, creativity, and sustained fulfillment.

The danger of lingering in the Zone of Excellence is that it keeps you tethered to expectations—your own or others’—and away from the deeper fulfillment found in your Zone of Genius. In this space, you may find yourself performing roles that meet societal or professional standards of success but feel misaligned with your purpose. You’re operating at a high level, but it’s not the highest level of contribution you’re capable of. Moving beyond the Zone of Excellence requires courage to let go of the comfort of being “excellent” and step into the unknown, where your true potential and passion intersect. It’s about choosing to live consciously and channel universal energy through you and your unique gifts, rather than merely striving to meet expectations or gain approval.

Surpassing this zone requires overcoming our upper limits, as mentioned earlier. Often times we hold ourselves back because where we are now feels safe and comfortable.

Zone of Genius

The Zone of Genius is the space where your full magnificence shines, where your unique talents and passions align to create something truly extraordinary. When you operate in this zone, you naturally inspire and support others to do the same—unlocking their creativity and potential simply by living in alignment with your own genius. It’s the highest expression of yourself, a place where you’re not just contributing but thriving in a way that lights up your life and the lives of those around you.

This zone is often described as the state of “flow” or being “in the zone.” Tasks in your Zone of Genius don’t feel like work—they feel effortless, joyful, and energizing. You’d do them regardless of external rewards, simply because they bring you fulfillment. But paradoxically, this ease is what makes it so difficult to identify your Zone of Genius. Because it feels so natural to you, it’s easy to dismiss its value or assume that everyone else finds it just as effortless. The reality is that what comes second nature to you may require significant effort and struggle for others. Recognizing this often-overlooked brilliance is the first step toward fully stepping into your Zone of Genius and living a life of purpose and impact.

Balancing this with true surrender

I share the concept of the Zone of Genius as a powerful framework for understanding how to surrender and live in greater alignment with the flow of life. It has helped me identify what brings the most joy, impact, and ease into my daily work. However, it’s important to remember that life isn’t about striving to have every moment “hit all your happy buttons.” Chasing perpetual external satisfaction can lead to a different kind of resistance—becoming a slave to external circumstances rather than finding peace in the present. True fulfillment isn’t just about doing what lights you up but also about cultivating contentment with what is, even when it doesn’t align perfectly with your desires or expectations.

Balancing the Zone of Genius with the wisdom of teachings from Buddha, the Tao Te Ching, Michael Singer, and Eckhart Tolle invites a deeper kind of surrender. These philosophies remind us that flow isn’t about avoiding discomfort or constantly seeking the ideal task; it’s about fully engaging with the present moment, whatever it holds. Operating in your Zone of Genius is less about perfecting your external circumstances and more about showing up authentically, allowing life to unfold through you, and embracing the balance between effort and stillness. I’m still exploring this balance myself—how to honor the unique contributions I can make while also surrendering to the truth that fulfillment is found within, not in what I achieve or produce.

Take the next step: Unlock your potential GENIUS 🤩

Unlocking your Zone of Genius isn’t just about maximizing your productivity—it’s about building a business and a life that energize and fulfill you. Whether you’re a founder navigating rapid growth or someone striving to work with more flow and purpose, this framework can be transformative. If you’re ready to dive deeper, watch my full YouTube video where I break down the Four Zones and share actionable tips for overcoming self-limiting beliefs.

If you’re feeling stuck or want personalized guidance, book a discovery call with me. Together, we can explore how to align your work with your unique brilliance and create a path toward thriving success.