Making Sense of The Big Leap: How to Break Through Barriers and Unlock Your Zone of Genius

Short Form Synopsis of Gay Hendricks "The Big Leap" by Dr. JC Doornick, "The Dragon"

About the Author: Gay Hendricks is a psychologist, author, and teacher known for his pioneering work in personal growth, relationship transformation, and mind-body practices. He earned his Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Stanford University and taught at the University of Colorado before founding The Hendricks Institute with his wife, Kathlyn Hendricks.

Key Accomplishments:

1. Author of more than 40 books, including bestsellers like *Conscious Loving* and *Five Wishes

2. Co-founder of The Foundation for Conscious Living, which focuses on creating healthy relationships and fostering personal transformation.

3. Known for integrating mindfulness and practical strategies to help individuals achieve success and fulfillment.

Most Recent Books:

Since The Big Leap (2009), Hendricks has written several books, including:

1. The Joy of Genius (2018), a sequel to *The Big Leap*, which focuses on unleashing creative genius, and

2. Conscious Luck (2020), which explores how to create good fortune in life.

Get a copy of the Big Leap here: https://amzn.to/3ZY6zas

Let’s Make Sense of The Big Leap:

In The Big Leap Hendricks its basic premise uncovers how individuals can navigate and break through their internal barriers to achieve greater levels of success, love, and fulfillment. He introduces concepts of the “Upper Limit Problem”, which is a self-imposed limit that holds people back from living from their "Zone of Genius" or state of maximum creativity and fulfillment. Hendricks argues that by identifying and overcoming these limits, anyone can make the "big leap" to lasting happiness and success. So there it is, its title “The Big Leap” refers to that breakthrough and shift from ordinary to extraordinary. On a personal note, i like his methodology and strategy as it lends well to that of my own IRS (Interface Response System) which is a four step process that begins with identifying our self imposed limitations by way of how our brain has been persuaded and programmed by our MFTPSE (Mother, Father, Teacher, Preacher, Society and Evolution) - I reference the Big Leap in my upcoming book “Makes Sense” in the same way i reference the science of the Flow State and created the IRS after identifying a few missing pieces in these models that would still get people hung up. For the record, the Big Leap currently sits on the top 5 list of books i have ever read.

In the Big Leap, Hendricks identifies four primary Upper Limit Problems, or psychological barriers that cause people to sabotage their success. This part of the book allows the reader to identify which one best resembles your reality. I’ll share mine when we get to it.

1. Feeling Fundamentally Flawed:

- Someone with this hidden barrier believes they are undeserving of success or happiness because of inherent flaws. An example of how this barrier may show up would be you downplaying your achievements or avoiding pursuing goals because you think you don’t deserve them. Where does this come from? The programming you had received as a child or through various events that took place to convince you that you were just not cut out for winning.

2. Disloyalty and Abandonment:

- Someone with this hidden barrier has the perception that achieving success will either leave your loved ones behind or perhaps betray your roots. An example of how this barrier may show up would be you finding yourself dropping everything you are contending for to assist others. Why? Because you know the feelings of being left behind or abandoned and you’ve dedicated your life to making sure nobody else feels that pain on your watch. This is my hidden barrier.

3. Believing Success Brings a Greater Burden:

- Someone with this hidden barrier has the perception that achieving greater success will come at the expense of being a burden. In other words, they fear success as they perceive it will make them feel overwhelmed and they won’t be able to handle it. An example of how this barrier may show up would be avoiding leadership roles and responsibilities because you believe they will bring undue stress. This barrier often masks itself as anxiety and overwhelm and you may find yourself often turning down great opportunities with the excuse that there is just too much going on right now. Or the ever popular, “now’s just not a good time.”

4. The Fear of Outshining Others:

- Someone with this hidden barrier may have feelings of guilt around breaking through and excelling. They worry that their success will make others feel inadequate. Why? Once again, a result of the programming and wiring our brains received from out MFTPSE and life experiences. An example of how this barrier may show up would be noticing that you suppress your talents or avoid showcasing your abilities to keep others comfortable. You may also notice that you turn down compliments or words of encouragement and protect it with this idea that you are humble and prefer these opportunities go to someone else more deserving.

Major Lessons and Takeaways:

1. Living in the Zone of Genius: Everyone has a "Zone of Genius," where they excel naturally and feel fulfilled. Identify what you love and do exceptionally well, then prioritize living and working in this zone. A reflection of one of the primary core tenants of the Makes Sense Academy, our private community, it’s who you are that determines how well what you do works. By identifying your zone of genius and exploiting your efforts within it? You will find the results you seek flowing to you as if you were an irresistible magnet with the absolute power to attract everything you desire. That being an excerpt from my daily affirmations.

2. Identifying the Upper Limit Problem: Self-sabotage occurs when we unconsciously limit our success to stay in our comfort zone. This is where the whole idea of being in your own way emerges. By learning how to identify your patterns of self-sabotage, such as procrastination, conflict, or fear, you can position yourself to consciously shift and learn to navigate through them. I often remind people how the universe has mysteriously placed everything we desire inconveniently on the other side of a big pile of shit. Its only when you learn to identify the shit that you can break on through to the other side. Any Doors fans pick that up? Another interesting correlation here is the Buddhist concept known as the Gateless Gate. Bringing to light the self fabrication of imaginary barriers that you use as the reason you won’t move forward. This reminds us that self sabotage is often self fabricated. Meaning, barriers often don’t in fact exist outside of your imaginary perception of them.

3. Replacing Fear with Curiosity: Fear often underlies Upper Limit Problems. Hendricks suggests replacing fear with curiosity and openness. Instead of avoiding discomfort, explore what it reveals about your growth opportunities. So many things connected to this takeaway taught in our Makes Sense Academy and within the IRS (Interface Response System). To name a few, we always encourage our members to recognize that they possess the choice between participating with events that have triggered thoughts and feelings in them. Or simply observing them as they would in watching a movie with popcorn in their hands. Or perhaps as they would in watching the clouds move passed their field of view in the sky. Another being the Stoic principle of the obstacle being the way. Replacing fear, worry and concern with curiosity allows you to approach all things with wonder and question what they actually mean for you. The key being questioning how they work for you, rather than to you. We teach our members to always react to events by saying Hmmm? Which means Haven’t Made up My Mind yet. A practice in cognitive distancing and open curiosity.

4. Commit to Experiencing Successfully: To move beyond limits, you must allow yourself to feel deserving of success and happiness. Practice self-affirmation and gratitude for your achievements, reinforcing that you are worthy of more. Hendricks has a wonderful analogy here that encourages us to give ourselves a raise. Indicating that once we identify our hidden barrier, practice allowing yourself to move a little further beyond it each time it arises, before you allow it to turn you back in retreat. Give yourself a raise.

5. Harness the Power of Commitment: Bold commitments to your "Zone of Genius" can shift your life trajectory. Decide to focus your time and energy on activities that bring you joy and purpose. This is the strategy behind my teachings of the Power Hour. Reflected in another spectacular book The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz, where they use examples of elite athletes like Usane Bolt that demonstrate what's possible if you harness all your efforts into high leverage activities within your zone of genius. Or your superpower.

6. The Importance of Integrity: Integrity, or aligning your thoughts, actions, and values, is essential for sustained success. Regularly reflect on whether your actions align with your deepest values and adjust as needed. We teach our Makes Sense Academy members a similar strategy called going 3 for 3. The practice of making a self assessment of your thoughts, feelings and actions and disputing whether or not they are all in alignment during any given reality. If you are 3 for 3, not only will you succeed more, but you will be succeeding with a high degree of integrity.

Here are a few Practical Applications Hendricks suggests:

1. Recognize and Overcome Your Upper Limit Problem: Reflect on which of the four problems resonates most with you. Journal about specific instances where you held yourself back and strategize how to approach these differently.

2. Cultivate Awareness of Your Zone of Genius: Identify tasks and activities where you feel most alive and impactful. Dedicate more time to these activities, even if it means delegating or eliminating less fulfilling tasks.

3. Practice Daily Affirmations: Repeat affirmations such as, *“I am deserving of love, success, and happiness.” “I am an irresistible magnet with the absolute power to attract everything I desire. Use gratitude exercises to appreciate current successes and build momentum.

4. Reframe Fear as Growth: The next time you feel fear, ask: “What opportunity for growth is this fear pointing me toward?” or “How is this happening for me rather than to me?”

5. Set Bold Goals: Write down a "Big Leap" goal that challenges your limits and aligns with your Zone of Genius. Break it into smaller, actionable steps to build confidence and momentum.

My reflection: The Big Leap teaches that breathing through limits isn’t just about achieving success, it’s about fully embracing joy, creativity, and purpose. By addressing your Upper Limit Problem and committing to your newly discovered Zone of Genius, you can unlock a life filled with extraordinary possibilities. Hendricks reminds us that the "big leap" is both an internal and external journey, where living in alignment with your genius is the ultimate path to fulfillment.

Work along side Dragon. Join the Makes Sense Academy to gain access to everything I have or ever will create in the realm of personal growth, self and success development. Become the dominant force in your life, by Rising Up Each Morning with a fast growing group of like minded, open and curious seekers of growth. And me :) All this plus top notch business coaching, tools, strategies and mental health support groups for a limited $48 a month. We offer a Risk Free, Money Back Guarantee Click.

Here: https://www.skool.com/makes-sense-academy/about