Why being excellent at your creative profession is a big problem

Being excellent at your creative profession is your biggest problem

K, MAYBE IT’S NOT YOUR ‘BIGGEST’ – BUT IT’S UP THERE!

I know you’re excellent at what you do. You know you’re excellent at what you do. Your clients know you’re excellent at what you do. And let’s be clear, your excellence isn’t, and hasn’t ever been, in question.

But what is in question right now, (if you’re here reading this on this site, where accomplished creatives come to recover their true creative call), is to ask yourself whether being ‘excellent’ at something is really ‘doing it’ for you.

Is it scratching your itch? Is it quenching your thirst?

Is it enough?

There’s a great book by Gay Hendricks called The Big Leap. This book is based on the concept that there are four zones we can work in – our zone of incompetence, our zone of competence, our zone of excellence and our zone of genius. (If you’ve not yet read it – hard recommend btw).

If you identify as an accomplished creative, if you’ve felt intrigued enough by this article title to come and have a read, and if you’re still here reading, I’m pretty confident that you’re pretty deep into your zone of excellence right now.

And I’m going to explain why that’s a big problem for you.

Let’s dive in.

WHAT IS YOUR ZONE OF INCOMPETENCE?

When you’re working in your zone of incompetence, you’re doing things that you don’t enjoy doing, nor are you actually good at them. Being in this zone doesn’t feel good, and it’s a pretty miserable, tooth-pulling-vibe experience for all concerned. You have zero interest in doing this work.

WHAT IS YOUR ZONE OF COMPETENCE?

When you’re working in your zone of competence, you’re doing things that you probably don’t necessarily mind doing, you can be pretty efficient and ‘okay’ at them, but there’s no stimulation happening for you. Being in this zone feels kinda indifferent to you and unstimulating. You have no enthusiasm for this work, but you do it if needs must.

WHAT IS YOUR ZONE OF EXCELLENCE?

When you’re working in your zone of excellence, in truth – you’re in a sticky, tricky spot.

Because here, you’re not only doing things that you’re tremendously skilled at, but you’re also likely generously remunerated for them. (And sure, this doesn’t sound like a problem right now, but stay with me).

You’ve likely cultivated and honed your skills with in-depth training, and have invested a lot of time, effort and experience to be at the level you’re at. Being in this zone and reaching achievements can feel rewarding, and the people around you have come to ‘expect’ this work of you. It’s what you’ve become known for being excellent at after all. You have a strong loyalty and commitment to this work.

But herein lies the big problem = being in this zone is ultimately unsatisfying to you because it isn’t your creative call or zone of genius.

WHAT IS YOUR ZONE OF GENIUS?

When you’re working in your zone of genius however, you’re existing on what feels like another cosmic plane altogether. Time flies by like it doesn’t exist and creation is effortless to you. When the circumstances are relaxed and focused, you’re quite simply unstoppable and are amongst the best in the world at it. Being in this zone feels like home and it’s satisfying beyond measure. This work comes so naturally to you, it falls out of you – you almost can’t not do it.

AND HERE’S WHY BEING EXCELLENT AT YOUR CREATIVE PROFESSION IS YOUR BIGGEST PROBLEM:

You can experience success in your zone of excellence, and you’ve ‘got it made’ where you are :)

Which I get reads like there’s no problem because nothing needs to change.

But it’s actually a big big problem because you can’t help but convince yourself that nothing needs to change.

Breathing oxygen into the idea that the work you’ve spent a huge part of your life cultivating, doesn’t satisfy you or give you or your soul what it needs can be a terrifying prospect. Not only are you likely wrestling with your own guilt, shame and doubt around it, you’re also probably carrying the weight of external expectations of you, and needing to maintain your status quo for appearances too.

The fact you’re excellent at your current creative profession can very easily cause you to deny your true creative call, never allow yourself to access the magic of operating in your zone of genius, suppress your feelings and instincts, and negatively impact your mental health as a result. All because of fear.

One of the biggest fears being – having to start from scratch again and what that might mean.

But here’s the thing I want to remind you of;

“You’re never starting from scratch. You’re starting from experience”

— UNKNOWN

And if you only take one thing from this article, I want it to be that.

You’re already excellent in your creative profession when you’re not in your zone of genius. Just imagine what creative magic you could create if you recovered your true creative call and went and made YOUR art!

IF YOU’RE YET TO GET YOUR GENIUS JUICES FLOWING;

In The Big Leap, Hendricks asks you to consider the following questions;

What work do you do that doesn't seem like work?
In your work, what produces the highest ratio of abundance and satisfaction to the amount of time spent?
What is your unique ability?

Let your answers to those prompts be your compass, and in the meantime, let’s start hanging out on LinkedIn if we’re not already.

IF READING THIS IS THE NUDGE THAT YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR HOWEVER;

And now you’re ready to get support to help you step into the next phase of your creative business or career, you can find out more about what working with me might look like here, or you can book a call with me here.

Whatever you do, Don’t stay your generation’s best kept secret ;)