Unleash your Zone of Genius and go from ordinary to extraordinary.
When you’re going through a life transition, it can be easy to feel lost and unsure of what steps to take next. This is where the concept of finding your zone of genius becomes important. By identifying your strengths, interests, and personality traits, you can gain clarity on what direction to take, particularly as it pertains to what type of work would be most fulfilling for you. You’ll go from feeling ordinary to feeling extraordinary and ready to take on the world.
Retirement is a perfect example of this.
Traditionally, retirement has been viewed as a time to relax, kick back, and enjoy the fruits of one’s labor. However, many people today are redefining what retirement means to them. For some, it’s a time to pursue new hobbies, travel, or spend more time with family and friends. For others, it’s an opportunity to pursue a new career or start a business.
Demographic predictions warned that the wave of baby boomer retirements would bankrupt Social Security and Medicare. Instead, according to author Chris Farrell, they are doing the exact opposite. Baby boomers are entering the world of “unretirement,” using their experience and experience to extend their working lives with new careers, entrepreneurial ventures, and volunteer service that will enrich our society and economy for decades to come.
If you’re planning for retirement, finding your zone of genius can be a valuable tool as you consider new opportunities and a new purpose and direction in your next chapter.
But, if you’re now in the thick of the neutral zone—that period of uncertainty between one chapter of your life and the next—you may be feeling stuck. You’re not alone.
Many retirees struggle with feelings of boredom or lack of purpose once they leave the workforce. By identifying your zone of genius and staying focused on new opportunities, you’ll be better equipped to pursue a career path that aligns with your values and includes activities and pursuits that not only bring you joy and fulfillment but also provide a new meaning or purpose.
This is where I was a few years ago. I had retired with a financial plan in place, but hadn’t realized that was just one piece of the puzzle.
I was in the neutral zone without a “whole person” plan and no real vision for my next chapter. I was also one of the baby boomers that knew I had more to offer and wanted to put my knowledge and talent to work in new ways.
Seriously, we need to come up with a new word because retirement means ceasing to work. Yet in today’s world it simply means that some of us have left one career or place of work to pursue other interests, we’re doing so at an earlier age, and we’re living longer.
Workforce rules of engagement, thoughts about traditional retirement paths, and demographics are definitely changing.
This is where knowing your zone of genius comes in because it can give you a sense of direction and purpose for your next chapter before you retire, and reduce the uncertainty and anxiety you’ll experience while you’re trying to figure out what’s next when you’re in the neutral zone.
It can be your first step in designing a new chapter.
By focusing on your strengths and interests, you can start taking steps towards a fulfilling career or life path, find a sense of direction and purpose, dust off old dreams and interests that have been put on hold or buried over the years, discover new passions and interests that align with your strengths and values, and avoid falling into the trap of settling for work that is uninspiring, but familiar.
Because let’s face it. When you’re working in an area that utilizes your strengths and interests, you’re more likely to excel and find satisfaction in your work. This can lead to greater career success, as well as a sense of fulfillment and purpose in your life.
It’s important to know who you are and how you’re wired in all chapters of life, but finding your zone of genius is crucial during times of transition and uncertainty. By identifying your strengths, interests, and personality traits, you can gain clarity on what direction to take and what type of work (and lifestyle) would be most fulfilling for you. This can lead to greater success and satisfaction in your career, as well as a sense of purpose and fulfillment in your life.
So, what’s your zone of genius? I’ve developed a short, fun quiz designed to help you uncover the unique ways your core beliefs and career interests intersect. Knowing the characteristics of the ideal relationship between the two means you can design a career path that is fulfilling, energizing, and inspiring—before you retire or when you’re stuck in the uncertainty of the neutral zone.
Take the quiz here. Then, let me know what your genius is. I can’t wait to hear all about it.
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