Finding Your Genius
Many years ago, at a Dr. Joe Dispenza conference, I turned to the stranger next to me and we followed Dr. Joe's instructions to introduce ourselves.
“Now introduce yourself to your neighbor as a genius”
Dr. Joe is a leader and scientist in teaching manifestation and used this term “Genius” to help us envision bigger lives for ourselves based on our inner strength and qualities. We learned to tap into this greatness in ourselves through his guided meditations and lectures.
I turned to the stranger next to me and followed Dr. Joe’s instructions introducing myself as a genius. It was after many courses later and thousands of meditations, that I read Gay Hendricks profound and inspiring book “The Genius Zone” which verified my passion to help others, and decided to become a certified somatic therapist as well as a Big Leap coach through the Foundation for Conscious Living.
measuring brain activity with electrodes during meditation
to access our Genius at a Dr Joe training
We might think that what we do most well is our genius. But it is different. Our genius is actually what we do well and most love to do. It is our unique ability and energizing, and involves supporting something close to our hearts.
We can easily get caught off balance, and not be in our genius. At 34 years old, I had a job as a marketing product manager in Biotechnology. I had previously been in Biotech sales and came close to doubling my salary twice yearly over a period of four years by being recruited into new positions. Although I was good at it, I knew it wouldn’t give me the energy and drive I wanted as a life calling. But I did not know what would.
I researched deeply, took classes and read books on becoming and doing what I was most meant to do. One of the exercises had us draw a picture of ourselves doing all the things we think we should be doing. As I looked at my drawing, I saw a stick figure doing more than is humanly impossible. I laughed because what we hold in our mind as “shoulds” is very compelling, especially when it is riddled with unconscious beliefs. The drawing helped me see that. So often our minds will spin stories and loops that we cannot see, that can veer us off track. Practices like journaling, art and self-reflection questions can help pull us out of the mind looping and into greater clarity.
What expectations do you carry from the outer world beliefs or expectations? How might a drawing of that be insightful?
Through years of research and uncovering, I knew my direction would be to help people. I also wanted to have children and a family.
I was frightened to tell my company I wanted to leave my product management job to become a healer and began with my colleague . I saw her in the hallway and invited her for a walk. We walked regularly along the marsh in Foster City, just steps outside the glass doors of the company. Our growing friendship helped the traffic and freeway noises melt away as we would listen to each other intently on these energizing lunch hour walks. My favorite part was the swarms of pelicans that would swoop by us, their ancient, deliberate forms reminding me of the paradox of their large unimaginable size and yet their pure grace.
“I think I want to be a therapist,” I shared hesitantly on this particularly memorable walk. The Biotech and business world in the 80s was far less accepting of healers and at the time, needing a therapist was a sign of not being well. People often kept these things private. I did not know how it would land, but she received it with warmth and enthusiasm. I begged her to wait and not share with anyone until I was clear about my path.
I enrolled in a night course at the California Institute of Integral Studies, a program in San Francisco that trains therapists. The evening course I needed for the training was called “Women’s Spirituality.” I completed my thesis with a creative dance performance, committing myself to healing and supporting other women (I am now dedicated to working with all humans). I wanted to offer something better than what I had seen growing up.
Six months later I received a going away party from my company and cards acknowledging that I would be a great therapist. I was four months pregnant with my first child.
Asking myself what I most love to do has been a practice for me for decades. Being in service is also part of a genius activity which is an activity that gives or supports others or the world in some way. I am grateful for this practice and am still asking the questions to see where my path of genius will take me next. It’s usually a tweak on a theme.
Training to be an energy healer: one of my passions that helps me algn with my genius!
What is your genius?
The following three questions can help you uncover your genius:
What is your unique ability?
What do you most love to do?
What is it that when you do it, time just disappears?
Sometimes we have an unconscious commitment to doing something that is not our genius. Uncovering these unconscious commitments such as complaining or playing it safe can often help us see them and take different steps.
What might you be doing that you are not good at and don’t enjoy?
What might you be doing now that you are good at but don’t love to do and is not energizing?
What might you be doing that others can do better?
We often get stuck in doing what we are good at. This can be because we don’t want to let people down or we need the income, a very important factor. But one can usually set aside some time for researching our genius while working in another capacity. Start taking steps in that direction. Get support if you need it from someone who believes in you and wants you to do what you most love.
As we move toward our goals, we might hit moments of resistance or fear. This is normal. Be sure to support yourself through this by including practices of self-care such as:
● talking with people who support you
● exercising or moving
● meditating
● getting plenty of rest
● spending time in nature
● keeping a journal
● fear melting to calm and transform fear or anxiety.
Resources for this material is from Gay and Katy Hendricks Big Leap Coaching Certification through The Foundation for Conscious Living. Please refer to their web site for additional helpful information at https://foundationforconsciousliving.org/ or see Gay Hendricks books The Genius Zone and The Big Leap.
If you're curious about how coaching might support you in unlocking your unique genius, I’d love to connect.
