When Your Zone of Genius Isn’t Enough
Case Study
As an IT company owner, Larry was owed a ton of money, simply because collecting payments was “out of his zone of genius”
He wanted to work on the computers and didn’t have patience for the details as he said.
Yet, he couldn’t cover payroll, had ridiculous amounts of unpaid bills, and be out of this mess if he simply was on top of making sure his clients paid in a timely manner.
Once we understood what was making it so challenging for him to collect the payments and we solved the root issue, he was able to get over $500,000 in owed payments in less than a week.
Plus, moving forward it was no longer an issue.
Thinking Skills
While you are doing any task, you (without even realizing it!) are using your 28 thinking skills.
When the thinking skills you need to use are strong, doing the task happens easily.
If the thinking skill you need to use is weak, doing the task will be a challenge.
The struggle that Larry had, came from a weak thinking skill of collecting precise data AND having a growth mindset.
It's Just an Excuse
Before we even went to figuring out the root cause, I needed Larry to understand that saying “I can’t do this because it’s out of my zone of genius” is just an excuse.
Sure, we want to spend as much time as possible within our zone of genius, yet there are going to be times when we need to do tasks that we don’t love to do, especially to keep our business afloat.
I can’t do something that comes from a fixed mindset which can hinder you in more ways than you realize.
So, if this is something you struggle with check out episode 479 where we go deep into this topic.
Figuring Out the Root Cause
Once Larry made the switch from a fixed to a growth mindset, we wanted to understand what was making it so difficult for Larry to collect the payments.
For Larry, it was about collecting all the right details so he’s giving the client the right information and making sure he’s billing the client correctly.
For you, it may be something else.
Ask yourself, "What part of this task is a challenge?" and continue asking until you get to the root cause which is directly related to a thinking skill.
7 Levels Deep - Finding the Motivation
Precision is highly related to motivation, so we want to raise the motivation in Larry to want to be precise.
It may seem like Larry has enough motivation simply with his financial situation, but it obviously wasn’t enough.
I had Larry do the 7 Levels deep exercise where you ask WHY 7 times. Whatever your answer is, you ask WHY again.
For Larry, it went like this:
(1) Why do you want the money?
To be in a good financial position.
(2) Why do you want to be in a good financial position
So, I can provide for my family.
(3) Why do you want to provide for your family?
As a dad I feel like it's my duty and obligation to provide for them. I want not only to give my children the basics but let them have their best lives possible.
You do this 7 times, and by the time you get to answer 7, you get to your deep motivation reason.
Getting Better at Collecting Precise Data
Here are 3 ways we helped Larry collect precise data so collecting payments would be easier.
1) Part of Larry’s challenge was that the information was all over the place.
He’d have an in-person meeting with the client where he’d write down some of the info in one place then he’d text them and have the information in the chat. Two days later he’d get on a phone call and the information would be in another place.
So, I had Larry keep all his information in one place. It doesn’t make a difference where that place is, it’s just got to be all in one place.
2) While it was frustrating there were so many details, it was more frustrating thinking you’re getting everything and in the end you realize you’re missing one important bit of information and you’ve got to go back.
So before speaking with a client, Larry took the time to get super clear on everything he needed.
Not just "I need bank details” - Its exactly what bank details.
Then he actually spoke to the client he was able to tune in and focus on the client.
Plus, he found himself making SOPs to streamline the whole process.
3) In his downtime, Larry started doing some logic puzzles that require you to be precise. Krazydad.com is perfect for this.
Your Challenge
Not doing a task ‘cuz it’s out of your zone of genius is just an excuse.
Your challenge this week is to start by making sure you’re not doing something just because it’s a challenge.
Take it to the next level by purposely doing tasks that are out of your zone of genius.
Cheers to Peak Brain Performance!
Hi, I'm ST,
Just like you, I want to be more efficient and effective.
Most entrepreneurs want to grow their business but already got a lot of stress.
At LifePix University we help you rewire your brain to become more efficient and effective while experiencing more inner peace.
Learn more here.
Your Essential Guide
to Cognitive Functions
This guide will give you all you need to start improving your cognitive functions. Learn what all 28 thinking skills are, how they apply to you and what you can do today to begin improving them.
Cognitive Functions Assessment
Thinking is not one big thing. Thinking is made up of 28 parts, called cognitive functions.
Take the FREE assessment to see where each of your cognitive functions are currently at.
We're on for 1M downloads
By the end of 2025
Can you help us reach our goal?
Share this podcast with someone you love!
When Your Zone of Genius Isn’t Enough
Case Study
As an IT company owner, Larry was owed a ton of money, simply because collecting payments was “out of his zone of genius”
He wanted to work on the computers and didn’t have patience for the details as he said.
Yet, he couldn’t cover payroll, had ridiculous amounts of unpaid bills, and be out of this mess if he simply was on top of making sure his clients paid in a timely manner.
Once we understood what was making it so challenging for him to collect the payments and we solved the root issue, he was able to get over $500,000 in owed payments in less than a week.
Plus, moving forward it was no longer an issue.
Thinking Skills
While you are doing any task, you (without even realizing it!) are using your 28 thinking skills.
When the thinking skills you need to use are strong, doing the task happens easily.
If the thinking skill you need to use is weak, doing the task will be a challenge.
The struggle that Larry had, came from a weak thinking skill of collecting precise data AND having a growth mindset.
It's Just an Excuse
Before we even went to figuring out the root cause, I needed Larry to understand that saying “I can’t do this because it’s out of my zone of genius” is just an excuse.
Sure, we want to spend as much time as possible within our zone of genius, yet there are going to be times when we need to do tasks that we don’t love to do, especially to keep our business afloat.
I can’t do something that comes from a fixed mindset which can hinder you in more ways than you realize.
So, if this is something you struggle with check out episode 479 where we go deep into this topic.
Figuring Out the Root Cause
Once Larry made the switch from a fixed to a growth mindset, we wanted to understand what was making it so difficult for Larry to collect the payments.
For Larry, it was about collecting all the right details so he’s giving the client the right information and making sure he’s billing the client correctly.
For you, it may be something else.
Ask yourself, "What part of this task is a challenge?" and continue asking until you get to the root cause which is directly related to a thinking skill.
7 Levels Deep - Finding the Motivation
Precision is highly related to motivation, so we want to raise the motivation in Larry to want to be precise.
It may seem like Larry has enough motivation simply with his financial situation, but it obviously wasn’t enough.
I had Larry do the 7 Levels deep exercise where you ask WHY 7 times. Whatever your answer is, you ask WHY again.
For Larry, it went like this:
(1) Why do you want the money?
To be in a good financial position.
(2) Why do you want to be in a good financial position
So, I can provide for my family.
(3) Why do you want to provide for your family?
As a dad I feel like it's my duty and obligation to provide for them. I want not only to give my children the basics but let them have their best lives possible.
You do this 7 times, and by the time you get to answer 7, you get to your deep motivation reason.
Getting Better at Collecting Precise Data
Here are 3 ways we helped Larry collect precise data so collecting payments would be easier.
1) Part of Larry’s challenge was that the information was all over the place.
He’d have an in-person meeting with the client where he’d write down some of the info in one place then he’d text them and have the information in the chat. Two days later he’d get on a phone call and the information would be in another place.
So, I had Larry keep all his information in one place. It doesn’t make a difference where that place is, it’s just got to be all in one place.
2) While it was frustrating there were so many details, it was more frustrating thinking you’re getting everything and in the end you realize you’re missing one important bit of information and you’ve got to go back.
So before speaking with a client, Larry took the time to get super clear on everything he needed.
Not just "I need bank details” - Its exactly what bank details.
Then he actually spoke to the client he was able to tune in and focus on the client.
Plus, he found himself making SOPs to streamline the whole process.
3) In his downtime, Larry started doing some logic puzzles that require you to be precise. Krazydad.com is perfect for this.
Your Challenge
Not doing a task ‘cuz it’s out of your zone of genius is just an excuse.
Your challenge this week is to start by making sure you’re not doing something just because it’s a challenge.
Take it to the next level by purposely doing tasks that are out of your zone of genius.
Cheers to Peak Brain Performance!
Hi, I'm ST,
Just like you, I want to be more efficient and effective.
Most entrepreneurs want to grow their business but already got a lot of stress.
At LifePix University we help you rewire your brain to become more efficient and effective while experiencing more inner peace.
Learn more here.
Your Essential Guide
to Cognitive Functions
This guide will give you all you need to start improving your cognitive functions. Learn what all 28 thinking skills are, how they apply to you and what you can do today to begin improving them.
Cognitive Functions Assessment
Thinking is not one big thing. Thinking is made up of 28 parts, called cognitive functions.
Take the FREE assessment to see where each of your cognitive functions are currently at.
We're on for 1M downloads
By the end of 2025
Can you help us reach our goal?
Share this podcast with someone you love!
