Minute With Mallon: What's Your Zone of Genius?

May 13

Welcome to Minute with Mallon!

Quick celebration: the May 8th post marked Newsletter #104—that’s two full years of sending out weekly tools to help you grow both personally and professionally.

It’s not always easy, but I’ve truly enjoyed writing these and hope you’ve found real value along the way.

Thank you for being a loyal reader—and here’s to year three! I’ve got some great topics lined up that I can’t wait to share with you.

Something I Taught:

Years ago, I was staying at the home of my dear friend Dan Miller. Dan is a well-known author, speaker, and career coach best known for his book 48 Days to the Work You Love. He became famous for helping people discover their purpose and turn their passions into meaningful, profitable work.

I woke up early one morning and walked into his beautiful home office. I saw a stack of books about 3 feet high by a window and grabbed the one off the top. It was a wonderful book by Gay Hendricks called "The Big Leap." It’s a fantastic read and I'd recommend it to anyone.

In the book, Hendricks talks about the fact that we have 4 Zones of Competence:

1. Zone of Incompetence

This is the stuff you’re just not good at—and frankly, someone else should be doing it.

2. Zone of Competence

You can do it, but so can a lot of other people—there’s nothing special about it.

3. Zone of Excellence

You’re really good at this, and people recognize it—but it doesn’t light you up inside.

4. Zone of Genius

This is your sweet spot—the work you were uniquely made to do, where time flies and impact multiplies.

I've taught this concept to many of my clients and have helped them clarify exactly what their zones are. It's a game changer in their lives!

Understanding the 4 Zones of Competence helps you see exactly where your energy is going—and whether it’s actually leading to growth, fulfillment, and meaningful impact.

So let me ask you, are you spending most of your time where you’re just capable… or where you’re truly called?

Here are some questions you can use to get you started on defining what your zones of competence are:

🔹 1. What do you most love to do?

🔹 2. What do you do that is almost effortless from your perspective but seems like a daunting task to others?

🔹 3. In what arenas do people consider you the "go-to" person?

🔹 4. What do you do that elicits the most praise and recognition from others?

🔹 5. In your work, what produces the highest ratio of abundance and satisfaction to the amount of time spent?

So here’s the challenge: sometime this week take 10 quiet minutes to reflect on those five questions, and get honest with yourself. Are you spending your time where you’re gifted… or just where you’re needed?

And then shoot me a quick email and tell me—what’s one thing you’re doing that you know is in your Zone of Genius? I’d love to hear it!!

Something to Ponder:

“You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to.”

Anonymous

Something I Learned:

And speaking of arguments, do you ever get in a heated conversation and feel like you're thinking is getting out of control? Many times this comes from unconsciously breathing shallowly or holding your breath.

Jefferson Fisher recommends this:

"To clear your mind, breathe rhythmically. If you don’t think your breath has much to do with controlling verbal conflict, then it’s worth looking at what it means to those who’ve mastered it at the furthest extremes of physical conflict.

The Navy SEALs consider rhythmic breathing so mission-critical that they receive special training in what they call “tactical breathing.” In combat situations, the influx of adrenaline raises a person’s heart rate. This shift causes changes within the body that rapidly deteriorate motor skills, skills that can mean the difference between life and death."

And here's one way to do it:

"Breathe in slowly through your nose for two seconds. At the top of the inhale, take another quick inhale through the nose for one second. The inhale count is now three. Breathe out through your nose for six seconds, making sure that your exhale is twice as long as your inhale. Repeat the exercise at least twice, or as needed throughout the dialogue."

Fisher, Jefferson. The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More (pp. 102-103).