Zone of Genius Exercise: Finding Lost Clues

The spirit of your creative dharma

This extract from Your Creative Dharma is a prelude to the module on exploring Your Joyful Purpose, ie the happy work you love to do that naturally serves your fellow humans.

(The ultimate win-win.)

The following is an exercise that can help you identify your unique Zone of Genius, the spirit of your creative dharma.

So, if you’ve ever felt confused about what your value and gifts may be, I hope this short story will pave the way for more clarity and excitement in the journey to your creative career sweet spot.

Enjoy finding your Lost Clues!

Finding Lost Clues…

Did you ever watch Lost, the TV series that gripped audiences a few years ago?

Like many, I was hooked by the adventures and stories of a cast of characters trapped on a desert island. 

Amid the drama and intrigue though, there was a subtler aspect of this unusual scenario that caught my attention.

On a remote island cut off from civilisation, with no rules or regulations, no governing body, no laws or enforcement – an interesting thing happened.

People automatically took on specific roles in the group.

The characters naturally gravitated towards a certain type of work or contribution that served the entire community.

Everyone used their skills and preferences for the good of the whole, or at least for their survival.

Without any prompting or force, people assumed roles such as Leader, Hunter, Jester, Counsellor or Physician.

Others were drawn to the tasks of cooking, building shelter or beautifying the living quarters.

Some grew herbs for both medicine and nutrition.

Some provided inspiration, hope or spiritual support.

Without the issue of money or commerce or government, without the usual social expectations or demands, everyone adopted their Zone of Genius, or as I like to call it: their Zone of Brilliance.

And they all had one – they all had something they could do well, better than anyone else.

Sounds a little like this idea of dharma, doesn’t it?

And when each character did ‘their thing’ – the whole community benefitted.

They even evolved from mere survival to actually thriving. 

(Save for the intervention of polar bears or a creepy black mist…)

I’m sharing this story as a precursor to the upcoming work on discovering your joyful purpose, because I hope that it will inspire you and help you find clues about your own Zone of Genius, or if you prefer, your Zone of Brilliance.

Zone of Genius Exercise

For this exercise, imagine you’re on a similar Lost kind of holiday – but without the unsettling mysteries and hostile natives.

You have arrived to join a remote friendly community on a beautiful paradise island.

There is no money system, there are no laws.

Just a harmonious group of loving creative people who are committed to the good of the whole.

Now, the question is;

What would you do to help the group?

More specifically, what would you love to do to help the group? 

Aim for your highest level of service: your most joyful contribution.

Because there are limitless resources.

If you want to paint pictures, there are infinite supplies of paint and canvas.

If you want to write stories, you are completely free to spend your days scribbling or typing overlooking the sea. (Where you’ll find me. 🙂 )

If you want to dance, sing, create beauty, design more efficient systems – there is an audience and a real need for that expression.

There are no rules, no limits, no expectations other than that you offer your gifts to the group in a spirit of love and contribution. 

(Which just happens to have the lovely side-effect of making you feel fantastic about yourself.)

So, what do you do?

What unique talents do you bring to the mix?

What is your preferred blend of creative expression and contribution? 

Tip #1: Colour in the details

As you let your imagination run free, look out for any details,.

Try to be specific.

If you’d love to be the resident writer, what will you write?

Fiction or non-fiction?

Books or poems?

For adults or children?

Funny stories, love stories, inspiring visions for the future or lessons from the past?

If you want to cook, what would you love to serve?

How do you enjoy gathering your ingredients?

Where do you most enjoy preparing the food – in a cool forest shelter or over a fire on a sun-drenched beach?

Picture this scenario in as much glorious technicolour and detail as you can.

Notice the aspects and elements that excite you and appeal to you.

And don’t restrict yourself in any way – if you love a variety of roles, get specific about what’s in your unique mix, your rare and perfect blend of interests and inclinations.

Your Zone of Genius or Brilliance can be an intriguing amalgam of unusual combinations – just like you.

So give your imagination free rein.

Tip #2: Ask for guidance

Even though I hope you’ll enjoy this visualisation exercise, this is deep and powerful work, so you may like to enlist your spiritual support system for this exercise.

Ask for guidance with these questions if you’re finding them tricky, or even if you’re not.

Quiz your creative self.

Pray.

Meditate.

Ask for clarity.

Direct your mind to reveal the answers.

You could pose the question before you go to sleep and say: I expect to receive clues to my Zone of Brilliance in the morning or soon after. Thank you.

And remember to trust joy.

In a spirit of openness, playfulness and keeping it light and breezy, consult your heart and soul in finding the answer to your questions.

Zone of Genius Prompts

Here are some more question prompts to help you begin your enquiry:

What could I create to uplift and inspire the group?

How can I serve with love?

Who do I most love to support?

What are my favourite ways to contribute?

How could I help, in a spirit of flow, bliss and joy?  

Write these questions out in your journal, or just pose them to your marvellous mind with an expectation of some clear and heart-warming answers.

They will come.

And as they do, you will naturally open up to the ways you can live and work and make a difference in the world through your Joyful Purpose.

Tip #3: Quality time & breathing space

I hope you’ll enjoy finding your Lost Clues and identifying that all-important Zone of Genius.

If you really devote some time and breathing space to this exercise, it could lead to some truly enlightening and liberating shifts that will powerfully support Your Creative Dharma.

Aka: your uniquely-perfect mix of joy, purpose, expression and success. 

And if you enjoyed this extract and you’d like to spend some quality time with more fun and games designed to reveal your unique and happy Career Sweet Spot, you can find out more about the full programme below…