The Big Leap: Summary Review & Takeaways
This is a summary review of The Big Leap containing key details about the book.
What is The Big Leap About?
The book, Big Leap, demonstrates how to go beyond your internal limits, release outdated fears and learn a whole new set of powerful skills and habits to liberate your authentic greatness. It helps us to discover a way to break down the walls to a better life.
Who is the Author of The Big Leap?
Dr. Gay Hendricks is a bestselling author. He received his Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Stanford University. After a twenty-one-year career as a professor at the University of Colorado, he founded the Hendricks Institute, which offers seminars in North America, Asia, and Europe.
What are key takeaways from The Big Leap?
Takeaway #1 Are You Prepared To Live a Happy Life?
Seems like a silly question doesn't it, who wouldn't want a happy life? But every one of us has a resistance to happiness.
Despite spending a lot of time trying to make ourselves happy, we're not very skilled at it and struggle with feeling good or at peace for long periods of time. Even the most successful people are rarely happy, always striving for more. Of course, life is never going to be plain sailing, the darkest moments cannot be avoided but most of our unhappiness comes unnecessarily from within us.
The reason for resisting happiness? Fear. Fear of reaching our full potential to be more exact for when you become the best you can, you cannot hide behind excuses for not making your dreams come true, for not being happy.
Takeaway #2 Finding Your Passion & Following It
What are the activities you do that you love so much that you get into 'the zone of genius' and lose track of time? It's likely that your job doesn't have this effect on you but it should – Stop playing small, stop using your job as an excuse to not be happy, and do something that fills you with joy. If you have no idea what that might be at this time note those moments of clarity, peace and happiness and keep doing them, the path will become clearer.
A success mantra will help you keep on the path of success and happiness. Memorize and say “I expand in abundance, success, and love every day, as I inspire those around me to do the same” several times a day. You should also practice saying enlightened no's – These are said after asking yourself 'does this opportunity align with my zone of genius?' to ensure you don't get distracted away from your goal and ultimate happiness.
Takeaway #3 There's No Limit To Your Happiness
You must stop self-sabotaging and realize that there is no limit to your happiness.
Think about those hopes and dreams you don't tell anyone about because you think they're out of reach and impractical. Think about those times of happiness that then take a downward spiral, were you thinking thoughts like 'This can't last' 'This is too good to be true' or 'When will my good luck end?' You might self-sabotage a relationship when your finances are going great or vice versa, making a risky investment to ruin your finances because you're so happily in love.
Most often we can recognize this upper-limit mindset and subsequently nip it in the bud when we see worry popping into our mind. Find the source of the worry and ask yourself if you can control the issue at hand. If you can't control it, stop worrying about it! If you can control it, take action. If you don't take action on a problem that you can control it will grow bigger and bigger causing more unhappiness down the line so deal with it now.
Book details
- Print length: 224 Pages
- Audiobook: 5 hrs and 27 mins
- Genre: Self Help, Nonfiction, Personal Development
What are the chapters in The Big Leap?
Chapter One - Preparing for Your Big Leap
Chapter Two - Making the Leap
Chapter Three - Getting Specific
Chapter Four - Building a New Home in Your Zone of Genius
Chapter Five - Living in Your Zone of Genius
Chapter Six - Living in Einstein Time
Chapter Seven - Solving the Relationship Problem
What are some of the main summary points from the book?
Here are some key summary points from the book:
- The Upper Limit Problem: The book introduces the idea of the Upper Limit Problem (ULP), which refers to the self-imposed limitations that hold us back from reaching our full potential. These limitations can manifest as feelings of unworthiness, fear of success, or sabotaging behaviors that arise when we experience happiness, joy, or success beyond a certain point.
- Becoming Aware of Your Limitations: The first step to overcoming the ULP is to become aware of its existence. Pay attention to your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors when you start to feel uncomfortable or uneasy in situations where things are going well. Recognizing your own patterns of self-sabotage is crucial for personal growth.
- Zone of Genius: The author introduces the concept of the "Zone of Genius," which represents the activities and pursuits that align with your unique talents, passions, and skills. By identifying and focusing on your Zone of Genius, you can experience a state of flow and achieve higher levels of success and fulfillment.
- The Four Hidden Barriers: Hendricks outlines four hidden barriers that contribute to the Upper Limit Problem: feeling fundamentally flawed, disloyalty and abandonment, believing that more success brings more burden, and the crime of outshining. Understanding these barriers can help you uncover the root causes of your self-imposed limitations.
- Taking Responsibility for Your Happiness: The book emphasizes the importance of taking full responsibility for your happiness and success. Rather than blaming external factors or circumstances, recognize that you have the power to create positive change in your life.
- The Zone of Excellence vs. the Zone of Genius: Many people spend their lives operating within their "Zone of Excellence," where they are competent but not necessarily fulfilled. The book encourages individuals to move beyond their comfort zones and shift their focus to their Zone of Genius, where their true potential lies.
- Practicing Self-Love and Appreciation: Cultivating self-love and appreciation is crucial for overcoming the Upper Limit Problem. By developing a positive self-image and acknowledging your accomplishments, you can break free from the limitations that stem from feelings of unworthiness.
- Making the Big Leap: The final part of the book provides practical strategies for making the big leap into your Zone of Genius. It involves committing to living a life of excellence, learning to expand your capacity for happiness and success, and embracing vulnerability and authenticity.
What are some good quotes from The Big Leap?
"Each of us has an inner thermostat setting that determines how much love, success, and creativity we allow ourselves to enjoy. When we exceed our inner thermostat setting, we will often do something to sabotage ourselves."
"When you find yourself worrying, know that there is something positive trying to break through."
"If I cling to the notion that something’s not possible, I’m arguing in favor of limitation. And if I argue for my limitations, I get to keep them."
"The goal in life is not to attain some imaginary ideal; it is to find and fully use our own gifts." (Meaning)
― Gay Hendricks - The Big Leap Quotes
What do critics say?
Here's what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: “Gay has the corner on living life well... he has a glorious love relationship with his wife and he is hugely successful. There is no better person to inspire us all to be the best we can be at every level.” — Mariel Hemingway, author of Mariel's Kitchen and Mariel Hemingway's Healthy Living from the Inside Out
* The summary points above have been concluded from the book and other public sources. The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
