Taking the Big Leap: Embracing Signs That Push You Toward Your Zone of Genius

Y'all, this past week, folk have been sliding into my DMs (ha!), and a recurring theme emerged: people seeking ways to work more closely with me. One person wanted online group sessions to help strengthen her voice and story. Another person sought executive coaching, with assessments, personal plans, and ongoing support.

Just when I thought Google’s NotebookLM got me and my framework, I was once again met with the positive feelings of being affirmed. It’s a feeling I wish for all of us. The warmth that flowed through my body, a somatic sign of pure alignment, showed me that it was time to replace all my moments of doubt with clarity and purpose. But, let me be real, this wasn't the first confirmation I’ve received. It’s just the first time I’m giving myself full permission to be open to the signs that have always been right in front of me, pointing me toward the right path.

Now, I don’t believe in coincidences, and these nudges couldn’t have come at a better time. Prior to these messages, I happened upon the Hello Seven Podcast and was intrigued by the episode entitled, NOW Is The Best Time To Become A Coach (here's why). The host, Rachel Rogers, emphasized that now, more than ever, people need coaches to help them navigate life’s challenges. She challenged her listeners to stop thinking that this “market is oversaturated" and instead think about being in the “perfect spot and the perfect time.” Listening to her podcast helped me accept my ways of addressing the needs of people beyond information-gathering to looking for deep connections and a supportive structure that truly helps them grow. It was exactly what I needed to hear to push me to be more intentional about my purpose.

To quote Oprah: "There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It’s why you were born. And how you become most truly alive." This is my season to honor that calling—to trust the unfolding path and lean fully into my purpose. I hope you will join me in discovering what makes us come alive.

From Emotional Labor to Entrepreneurship

My journey into entrepreneurship started long before my business officially began. As a practicing school psychologist for nearly 13 years, I engaged in reverse mentorship—sharing insights and perspectives with senior leaders to foster mutual learning and bridge generational and cultural gaps. I worked closely with my superintendent and other senior leaders, helping create dignity-affirming spaces in schools and developing crisis response processes. However, the weight of emotional labor, as one of the few Black professionals in my district, became overwhelming. I felt the constant burden of advocating for and protecting our historically excluded students, often being one of the lone voices willing to address the racialized, xenophobic, gendered, and homophobic harm they faced. This emotional labor, compounded by the systemic harm I experienced as a Black woman, led me to leave the traditional workforce.

Leaving was not an easy decision, but it was rooted in self-preservation and a deep desire to create something different: spaces where healing, growth, and true equity could thrive. This decision aligns with what I read in the article Exit Plan: How Racialized and Gendered Organizations Lead Black Women to Entrepreneurship, which highlighted how systemic barriers often force Black women out of traditional workplaces—not because we lack skills, but because we lack recognition, support, and opportunities for advancement. The emotional labor, racialized harm, and lack of dignity-affirming spaces I experienced reflect the broader reality for many historically excluded people, which makes entrepreneurship a potentially viable option to (re)claim our power, create liberatory spaces, and thrive authentically, mitigating some of the systemic constraints that cause harm.

Over the past few months, I’ve been reflecting on these experiences to inform how I revamp my services. I'm transitioning from primarily working with organizations to expanding my offerings to individuals, especially those from historically excluded communities. This shift aligns with the evolution of my 3D Power Tools Framework, which I detailed in a previous blog post. Initially, my framework focused on dismantling harmful structures, but as I grew, I realized that highlighting the inherent dignity and wisdom of marginalized voices was equally important. This evolution moved my focus from problem-centric thinking to one rooted in strengths, possibilities, and liberatory growth. My goal is to build communities of support and transformative growth, much like I envisioned in my dissertation, where Black women engaged in critical conversations about their identities, stories, and strengths.

Confronting My Upper Limit Problem and Finding My Zone of Genius

In reflecting on my framework's evolution, I’ve had to confront my own fears and limiting beliefs similar to what Gay Hendricks describes in The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level. Hendricks talks about the "Upper Limit Problem," where we often self-sabotage just as we approach significant personal growth or step fully into our "Zone of Genius." This concept resonates deeply with me as I navigate scaling my services, which means moving beyond the familiar and embracing the unknown, even navigating my fears of others judging me, asking “Who does she think she is?” I know I am not alone in this feeling, as Oprah reflected on how she had to overcome her own Upper Limit Problem. To further support my ongoing journey, I recently took Elaine Welteroth's Masterclass, Designing Your Career. As a Black female multi-hyphenate, Welteroth inspired me to rethink how I approach scaling my work, encouraging me to align my purpose with my passions, skills, and talents; thereby, finding my own Zone of Genius. Her exercises, like crafting a career mind map, helped me reflect on how to bring together all my experiences from my days in school systems to now as an entrepreneur. This process, along with Rachel Rodgers' admiration for Hendricks’ work in her book, We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman's Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power, highlighted for me the importance of designing sustainable pathways that are authentic and deeply rooted in liberation. Together, hearing two separate mentions of the Zone of Genius concept reminded me that there are always connections waiting to be made—we just have to take the time to recognize them.

3D Power Tools Framework to Guide My Next Steps

As I think about what's next for me and my business, I'm turning to my 3D Power Tools Framework: Discover, Discern, Determine to guide my own journey, especially as I face the fear of making the leap to try something new—even when I know I'm called to it. Below, I provide some insight into how I use my own process to make decisions.

Discover: This phase is about introspection: uncovering what’s beneath the surface and exploring new directions. I’ve been asking myself: What do I really want to create next? What parts of my business have I yet to fully explore? What am I afraid of, and how is that fear holding me back?
Action Step: Reflect on where fear might be holding you back from stepping into new opportunities. Identify specific areas of your life or business that have been left unexplored.

Discern: Once I’ve uncovered these possibilities, I need to discern what aligns with my values and purpose. It’s about making thoughtful decisions that feel right, not just for me but for the communities I serve. It also means understanding which fears are valid warnings and which are just resistance to change.
Action Step: Assess whether your fears are genuine signals of caution or simply resistance to stepping out of your comfort zone. Analyze how these fears align or misalign with your values and purpose. Reframe your fear as an indicator of growth.

Determine: This is where I step into action. Determination means setting clear goals, taking courageous steps, and creating new pathways for connection. This includes developing group coaching sessions, one-on-one packages, and online communities that are accessible and impactful.
Action Step: Commit to taking one small, courageous action today that moves you closer to your purpose, even if fear is present. Use fear as a signal for growth, rather than a barrier. Design a plan to create spaces that inspire others, amplifying both your story and the stories of those you serve.

Closing Thoughts

Fear is a natural part of growth, especially when stepping into the unknown. The journey toward our purpose requires courage, and each small action, no matter how daunting, is a step toward transformation. Remember, it’s in the moments of discomfort and fear that we often find our greatest opportunities for growth and impact. So, let’s move forward together, embracing both the fear and the possibility that comes from pursuing our authentic path.

Stay tuned for more updates, and if you’re interested in being part of this community I’m building, please let me know. Let’s create something transformative together.