Genius In The Corner
(Click the photo to watch the video)
A few years back, a dear friend (and over six million others) fell in love with the book, Eat, Pray, Love. While I recognized a delightful moment of synchronicity in the first chapters, the prose didn't speak to me.
Then, several months ago, I stumbled upon a TED Talk featuring the memoir's author, Elizabeth Gilbert. In this video I found my connection to this best selling writer. During the presentation, Gilbert speaks of genius. She describes genius as a muse outside of oneself, to be tended to, nurtured, and called upon. And when "we catch it by the tail," the result pours out of us. In turn, when our creativity flow ebbs, it's not only us; it's us and the muse. Likewise, when we meet with absurd success, the genie receives part of the credit. I appreciate the gentleness of this notion.
In The Big Leap, Gay Hendricks writes about each person having a "Zone of Genius." A mode of specific talent through which - to use Gilbert's model - the muse manifests from us. Hendricks' model aligns well with Now, Discover Your Strengths authors, Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton. They theorize that we each have certain strengths - things we do inherently well - and when we bring focused attention to those activities, rather than constantly attempting to compensate for our weaknesses, we thrive. Or, as Hendricks ascribes, we operate from our "Zone of Genius." Gilbert refers to it as showing up to do our part.
The essence of this message breathes fire life in me. In fact, before I ever read The Big Leap or had heard of Elizabeth Gilbert, I began working with "discovering unique gifts." Until listening to Gilbert, though, I never appreciated the importance of the term "gift." Seeking a definition for gift, I found this: "A voluntary transfer of property or of a property interest from one individual to another, made gratuitously to the recipient. Three elements are essential in determining whether or not a gift has been made: delivery, donative intent, and acceptance by the donee."
In a remarkable conversation with a Theta Healer a couple of weeks ago, she asked what have been the gifts of having a schizophrenic mother. I presented the answers easily and with confidence, because I've done this work. Through creating the What's Next?! Workshop, I learned about my gifts - the genius that manifests through me - while developing a process to share with others.
So, what's the formula? At the core it's this:
What are the things you can't help but do? Often it helps to identify your strongest defenses, as they typically feel like something you MUST do. Get absolutely clear about the most profound protections you call into action when you feel any sort of perceived threat.
Then flip the coin to reveal the unique gift on the other side! Our most vehement protections are always born of our innate gifts.
That's it - theoretically very simple. Ironically, while we typically have no challenge identifying our defenses, we reluctantly speak (let alone embody and revel in) our talents. We struggle with the acceptance part of the exchange, and claim our gifts as ordinary, rather than extraordinary. We assume that "everyone can do that," and yet, how often have you felt frustrated when you found the exact opposite to be true?
You know what I'm talking about. Making that three course meal felt simple and satisfying, why can't your spouse ever get it right? Or, it's beyond obvious to you there were things left unsaid in that conference call, but no one else seemed to pick up on it. We so completely take our genius for granted on one hand, while using the other hand to knock someone upside the head for not getting it!
I smile broadly, even as I write this, because we humans are quite funny. I also feel a sense of delight as I anticipate the Autumn What's Next?! Workshop series. When operating in my "Zone of Genius," I excel at helping others to identify their gifts, and I have witnessed time and again the wonderment of discovering and taking ownership of a unique gift.
Curious about the genius that manifests from you? A couple of spaces remain available for the Autumn session. If you'd like help identifying your unique gifts, join me. I can't wait to share the experience with this incoming group, and delight in the transformation that occurs for each participant. How lucky I am to have the genie in the corner working through me in this way.
With gentleness and gratitude,
Joanne Lutz