Breaking Your Limits: How The Big Leap Can Transform Your Organization and Money Mindset
- sonikastner
- Nov 17
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 19
Introduction
Many of us have been taught that success comes from hard work, long hours, and constant striving. But what if the real leap to success isn’t about doing more — it’s about thinking differently?
In “The Big Leap”, Dr. Gay Hendricks introduces powerful ideas that help us recognize the hidden ways we limit ourselves and how to move into our true potential — what he calls our Zone of Genius. For women-owned and minority-owned businesses and nonprofits, these lessons aren’t just inspiring — they’re transformative for how we view money, time, and growth.
“Those who know me well know I’m an avid reader. I read an average of 20 books a year—from novels to personal development to leadership books. I had always heard about The Big Leap by Dr. Gay Hendricks and kept brushing it aside for another day. Then it came up multiple times in a year-long leadership class I’m enrolled in.
Let’s just say when I finally started, I read it over a weekend (thank you, Audible). I then began working through Big Leap Year, and I’m already over a third of the way in. I have to say, it’s the most impactful book I’ve read in the last three years. I’m bringing these ideas into my businesses and to my clients—so buckle up and let’s go…”
1. The Upper Limit Problem — When Success Feels Uncomfortable
Dr. Hendricks describes the Upper Limit Problem as the internal ceiling we hit when life/work starts going too well. It’s the quiet self-sabotage that appears when we achieve more success, income, or happiness than we’re used to. When we can no longer fit in the box, we have been so comfortable in.
You might recognize it as avoiding big opportunities because they feel “too much,” downplaying financial wins, or creating unnecessary drama when things are finally flowing.
Here are the most common Upper Limit behaviors:
Worry – When things are going well, we start worrying about something unrelated to bring our comfort level back down. We need to remember the 1% worry 'rule', only 1% of the things we worry about happens.
Criticism and Blame – We redirect discomfort by judging ourselves or others, creating distance from success. Read the blog on 10 Common Abundance Blocks (and How to Clear Them) for more on this topic.
Deflection – When praised, we brush it off instead of fully receiving it ('It was nothing!' or 'I just got lucky'). I have been learning to accept gifts and complements graciously. I now catch myself when I start deflecting and try again.
Squabbling or Conflict – Small disagreements erupt when things are improving — a subconscious way to return to the familiar. Dr. Hendricks gives a great example of squabbles with your life partner.
Getting Sick or Exhausted – Our bodies may slow us down when our success feels like too much to handle. Our bodies are used to the norm and will sometimes reject change even in positive times. Think how many times you have got back from a great vacation with a weird cold then joked, you relaxed too much.
These patterns are subtle forms of self-protection, but they can block growth and abundance.
💭 Reflection: Which of these Upper Limit behaviors shows up for you most often — worry, deflection, criticism, or blame? How might they affect your advancement or confidence?
"Of late, I’m realizing when I’ve encountered upper limit problems. The ones that show up most for me are worry, deflection, and getting sick or exhausted. I remember back in high school, when I was an excellent library assistant—when teachers were deciding on the senior prefects, I got super sick and couldn’t attend the interviews. Everyone was shocked when I wasn’t assigned Library Prefect, and I miraculously got better right after. My body wasn’t ready for that level of success.
Today, as I work through Your Big Leap Year, I’m getting better at asking myself if I’m hitting an upper limit when I instantly want to deflect a compliment or gift. You’ll often hear me say, “I take that back… I’m grateful for your compliment.”
2. Einstein Time — Redefining Time and Control
Dr. Hendricks challenges the belief that time controls us. Instead, he invites us to see ourselves as the source of time. He calls this concept Einstein Time, where you stop saying, 'I don’t have time,' and start asking, 'How do I choose to create time for what matters most?'
As business owners and nonprofit leaders, time scarcity often keeps us stuck in survival mode. Living in Einstein Time reminds us that when we slow down, focus, and stay present, time actually expands.
Try this: next time you feel rushed, pause and say, 'I’m the source of time'. Notice how your energy shifts.
💭 Reflection: What area of your organization or finances always feels like there’s “never enough time”?
Do you ever leave your desk and think, “I didn’t get anything done,” or, “Geez, I did a lot today”. I recently had an hour long client meeting where we had a lot to cover. As usual, we started by connecting, then agreed we would go through everything on the list.
An hour later, as the meeting was ending, we celebrated covering everything on the list plus more! We both left the meeting energized, encouraged, and ready to make a change. Sometimes I marvel at how much I can get done in a day when I truly put my mind to it.
3. The Four Zones of Competence — Knowing Where You Thrive
Dr. Hendricks outlines four “zones” that describe how we spend our time and energy:
Zone | Description | Example | Growth Tip |
Zone of Incompetence | Tasks you’re not good at; others can do better | DIY bookkeeping, tech issues | Delegate or outsource |
Zone of Competence | Tasks you can do, but others can too | Routine admin, scheduling | Systematize or automate |
Zone of Excellence | You’re highly skilled and successful here | Financial management, client service | Don’t settle here too long |
Zone of Genius | Work that energizes you and aligns with purpose | Vision, strategy, impact creation | Spend more time here |
Many entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders get stuck in the Zone of Excellence — they’re good at what they do but not necessarily fulfilled. The real leap happens when we begin spending more time in our Zone of Genius, where passion, purpose, and profit align.
💭 Reflection: Where do you spend most of your time right now — in competence, excellence, or genius?
Do you know how many times I hear people say, “I’ll just do it myself because it takes too long to train someone else”? I’ve said that to myself many times over the years (including in my own home). But is that really serving us?
I recently had a client who spent hours working on their books. They didn’t enjoy it and always waited until the last minute to get it done. I asked them if this was truly what they truly wanted—or if they really wanted to spend more time doing what they actually enjoyed. They understood and let me help organize their books so they could spend more time on their Zone of Excellence.
I’ve been reflecting on what my Zone of Genius is: helping people and organizations get organized, especially around finances. I will get you organized, create systems for you, and keep you organized. Creating systems for people and friends brings me so much joy and happiness—I could do it for hours. I just left a client meeting giddy because I had the data I needed to get them organized, that client was laughing at how excited I was. For me seeing the client’s reaction when they see their finances organized gives me so much joy.
4. Putting It All Together — The Big Leap Methodology
Use these guiding steps to start applying Dr. Hendricks’ principles in your financial and business life:
Step 1: Notice your Upper Limit moments. When things go well, ask, 'Am I creating worry or distraction instead of expansion?'
Step 2: Practice Einstein Time. Block intentional space each day for strategy, reflection, or financial review — and protect it.
Step 3: Identify your Zones. Make a list of everything you do and label each task by zone. Then, start releasing what’s not in your Zone of Genius.
Step 4: Partner wisely. Surround yourself with experts — bookkeepers, accountants, and advisors — who free your time to operate in your highest zone.
Step 5: Expand your capacity for success. When you feel discomfort as things improve, breathe through it. Growth isn’t supposed to feel 'normal.'
💭 Reflection: What’s one action you can take this month to live more in your Zone of Genius?
The one action I’ve committed to is that, upon signing my next client, I will get help to handle all the tasks that fall within my Zone of Competence. I’ve already hired someone to manage my Zone of Incompetence tasks, and I’m not looking back.
Another thing I do is protect my time, I start each day with an hour of meditation and reflection. Then each workday with an hour dedicated to my business and nonprofit. I have dedicated apps for work that don’t send notifications after hours or on weekends.
Closing
When you align time, mindset, and purpose, you open the door to abundance — not by working harder, but by operating smarter and freer.
The Big Leap isn’t just a mindset book; it’s a call to action to trust yourself with more — more time, more money, more joy.
I can confidently say that I can tell when I’ve spent most of my week in my Zones of Excellence or Genius. I usually gauge it by how much I must work on Fridays, which is my self-care day. If I’ve had a successful week and used Einstein Time, I end up with most of Friday—and the weekend—completely work-free.
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