#561 How to Spend More Time in Your Zone of Genius at Work episode artwork

EPISODE · May 19, 2026 · 34 MIN

#561 How to Spend More Time in Your Zone of Genius at Work

from Squiggly Careers · host The Squiggly Career

How much of your working week are you spending on things you're genuinely great at, and how much is quietly draining you? In this episode, Helen and Sarah borrow brilliance from Gay Hendricks' Zone of Genius framework, sparked by Emma Grede's book Start With Yourself, and turn it into one of the most practically useful exercises they've tried in a while. They work through all 4 zones live, competence, incompetence, excellence, and genius, sharing their own honest examples (including payroll, passive meetings, and branding). Then Helen shares a surprisingly simple way to use AI to analyse your diary and find out exactly how your time is really being spent. This episode is brought to you in partnership with Post-it® Brand. If today's episode sparked an idea, stick it down. Find out where to buy Post-it® products at go.3M.com/squiggly 🎯 What You'll Learn – What the four zones actually mean, and why spending too much time in your zone of excellence can be just as much of a trap as your zone of incompetence – How to map your own work across the four zones using Post-it® Notes – A simple diary audit method and how to use AI to turn your ticks into percentages (and real insight) – Why this is one of the best team exercises Helen and Sarah have come across for making strengths visible and actionable 📚 Resources Mentioned Start With Yourself — Emma Grede Zone of Genius — Gay Hendricks For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email: [email protected] Need some more squiggly career support? 1. Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 2. Sign up for our Skills Sprints: https://www.amazingif.com/squigglysprints/ 3. Sign up for our Squiggly Careers Newsletter, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/squigglynewsletter_pod 4. Order our new book Learn Like a Lobster: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How much of your working week are you spending on things you're genuinely great at, and how much is quietly draining you? In this episode, Helen and Sarah borrow brilliance from Gay Hendricks' Zone of Genius framework, sparked by Emma Grede's book Start With Yourself, and turn it into one of the most practically useful exercises they've tried in a while. They work through all 4 zones live, competence, incompetence, excellence, and genius, sharing their own honest examples (including payroll, passive meetings, and branding). Then Helen shares a surprisingly simple way to use AI to analyse your diary and find out exactly how your time is really being spent. This episode is brought to you in partnership with Post-it® Brand. If today's episode sparked an idea, stick it down. Find out where to buy Post-it® products at go.3M.com/squiggly 🎯 What You'll Learn – What the four zones actually mean, and why spending too much time in your zone of excellence can be just as much of a trap as your zone of incompetence – How to map your own work across the four zones using Post-it® Notes – A simple diary audit method and how to use AI to turn your ticks into percentages (and real insight) – Why this is one of the best team exercises Helen and Sarah have come across for making strengths visible and actionable 📚 Resources Mentioned Start With Yourself — Emma Grede Zone of Genius — Gay Hendricks For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email: [email protected] Need some more squiggly career support? 1. Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 2. Sign up for our Skills Sprints: https://www.amazingif.com/squigglysprints/ 3. Sign up for our Squiggly Careers Newsletter, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/squigglynewsletter_pod 4. Order our new book Learn Like a Lobster: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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#561 How to Spend More Time in Your Zone of Genius at Work

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Leading From All Sides Abbie Mirata Discover the various styles of leadership, from leading at the forefront to steering from behind, rising to the top or empowering from the bottom. We'll explore horizontal and vertical leadership, leading through your brand, and even leading in your most intimate relationships. Join me in engaging conversations with special guests who are leaders in their careers, communities, and families. Gain insights, perspectives, and invaluable lessons that challenge traditional notions of what it means to lead. What Works? Sophie Scott, UCL PALS Prof Sophie Scott, Director of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, discusses life and science and careers with her colleagues from the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences at UCL, and beyond. The aim of the show is to highlight some amazing scientists, and explore their journeys through science and life, and find out what works for them. Travel Nursing & Allied Life TravCon: The Travelers Conference Travel Nursing & Allied Life is a podcast about all things related to Healthcare Travel. TravCon and The Gypsy Nurse team bring you current information about the healthcare travel industry so you can stay updated and connected throughout the year. TravCon is here to help guide and connect all healthcare professionals from all specialties, navigate their travel careers, and stay current with the trends and changes.Don't forget the Travelers Conference takes place 9/22/24 -9/25/24 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas! Visit TravCon.org for more information! Artrepreneur Podcast art business journal You can learn a lot from listening to creative leaders talk about what made them successful. Every artist, designer and creative entrepreneur has a unique story about their journey to find professional success that can help inspire and guide yours. From happy accidents to dealing with adversity, industry innovators share their experiences, insights and advice to help you navigate your career and find your own path. What do they all have in common? They never stop learning. Neither will you when you listen to the Artrepreneur Creative Careers Podcast.

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This episode is 34 minutes long.

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This episode was published on May 19, 2026.

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How much of your working week are you spending on things you're genuinely great at, and how much is quietly draining you? In this episode, Helen and Sarah borrow brilliance from Gay Hendricks' Zone of Genius framework, sparked by Emma Grede's...

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