The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks

Gay Hendricks’ book, The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level, offers a road map to those looking to fulfill their ultimate potential. The book identifies four “hidden barriers” that hold individuals back from reaching their goals and achieving their highest potential – the Upper Limit Problem, The Zone of Excellence, The Inner Critic, and The Commitment Cadence.

In The Big Leap, Hendricks explains the Upper Limit Problem. This problem, which Hendricks calls an “inner thermostat setting,” represents an invisible barrier that prevents individuals from allowing themselves to experience the joy, love, and creative energy that comes from achieving success. This thermostat limits individuals to a certain level of success, often without the individual even realizing it.

The Zone of Excellence is the next barrier, defined as the area where a person continually performs. It is often in this zone of comfort that an individual will remain, never reaching their full potential due to a fear of failure or rejection. To break out of this zone, Hendricks suggests that individuals look for feedback and guidance from trusted advisors and mentors.

The Inner Critic is the third barrier in Hendricks’ book. This is the voice in an individual’s head that dictates their thoughts and behaviors, often focusing on the negatives. This negative self-talk or rumination can prevent individuals from accomplishing their goals, and Hendricks offers strategies on how to combat it such as positive affirmations and thought replacement.

The final barrier is the Commitment Cadence, which Hendricks defines as a person’s level of energy and enthusiasm when taking action on a goal. Many times, individuals will start to make progress on a goal only to become sidetracked or discouraged and forget their commitment. Hendricks offers techniques to help readers stay motivated and on-track, such as breaking the goal into manageable pieces and making progress even when it feels daunting.

Throughout his book, Gay Hendricks encourages readers to identify and confront these hidden barriers, take risks, and embrace the power of their creative energies. By applying the steps outlined in The Big Leap, readers can push past the limits they have set for themselves and reach the highest levels of success and achievement.