The Genius Zone: The Breakthrough Process to End Negative Thinking and Live in True Creativity

by Gay Hendricks

Too often we live lives that we find unfulfilling, fail to reach our own potential, and neglect to practice creativity in our daily routines. Gay Hendricks's The Genius Zone offers a way to change that by tapping into your own innate creativity.

Dr. Gay Hendricks broke new ground with his bestselling classic, The Big Leap, which has become an essential resource for coaches, entrepreneurs, executives, and health practitioners around the world. Originally published as The Joy of Genius, The Genius Zone has been updated and expanded throughout, making it the essential next step beyond The Big Leap.

In The Genius Zone, Hendricks introduces his brilliant exercise, the Genius Move, a simple, life-altering practice that allows readers to end negative thinking and thrive authentically. By using the Genius Move, readers will learn to spend more of their lives in their zone of genius—where creativity flows freely and they are actively pursuing the things that offer them fulfillment and satisfaction. Filled with hands-on exercises and personal stories from the author, The Genius Zone is an essential guide to creative fulfillment. If you are committed to bringing forth your innate genius and making your largest possible creative contribution, The Genius Zone will become a trusted companion for the journey.

Genres: Nonfiction, Personal Development, Self Help, Business, Psychology, Audiobook, Personal Growth

178 pages, Hardcover

Published June 29, 2021

About the author

Dr. Gay Hendricks has served for more than 30 years as one of the major contributors to the fields of relationship transformation and body-mind therapies. Along with his wife, Dr. Kathlyn Hendricks, Gay is the author of many bestsellers, including Conscious Loving, At the Speed of Life, and Five Wishes.

Gay received his PhD in counseling psychology from Stanford University in 1974. After a 21-year career as a professor at the University of Colorado, he founded The Hendricks Institute, which offers seminars in North America, Asia, and Europe. He is also the founder of a new virtual learning center for transformation, Gaia Illumination University.

Throughout his career, Gay has done executive coaching with more than 800 executives, including the top management at such firms as Dell Computer, Hewlett Packard, Motorola, and KLM. His book, The Corporate Mystic, is used widely to train management in combining business skills and personal development tools.

In recent years he has also been active in creating new forms of conscious entertainment. In 2003, along with movie producer Stephen Simon, Gay founded the Spiritual Cinema Circle, which distributes inspirational movies to subscribers in more than 70 countries around the world. He was the executive producer of the feature film Conversations with God, and he has appeared on more than 500 radio and television shows, including Oprah, CNN, CNBC, 48 Hours, and others

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should have stopped reading at page 24 when I was directed to not continue until I could truly commit to ending negative thinking and and liberating my creativity.

I am an academic, and a critical (analytic) stance is intrinsic to my thinking. This is not the same as negativity, but it can come close.

Most of the book did not seem fresh to me, but there were some useful reminders and exercises.

[Shalyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is an interesting storyteller. Many of the concepts were basic. Some interesting ideas. Some unrealistic, like outsourcing everything you aren’t great at.

The content was a bit all over the place for me. It went from breath and managing emotions to engaging with your creativity.

[Kamila Mullen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just a bunch of blabbering and ideas that you can find in any book like this. Honestly it lost me in chapter 1 where he called Oprah an Angel…. yep, I am out!

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an all right book but there wasn't anything revolutionary discussed in it.

The main takeaway for me was that unhappiness often comes from trying to control something that you can't (someone else's feelings or thoughts, or even your own for example) and realizing that and relinquishing control can help you find happiness.

[Paul Bard · Rating 2 out of 5]

TIP: notice when breath shifts up into chest = anger/fear. Also, belly muscles tighten = early warning sign.

TIP: breathe with not against emotion.

Primary insight is the Genius move, which is applying the Serenity Prayer or Epictetus' praxis.

Of value is the insight that ANY unhappiness = trying to control the uncontrollable.

Also, Gay's slimming question: "Will this feed my spirit?" is valuable.

[Ileana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just a bunch of ideas that were better explained in different book written by someone else.

[Arminda Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous.

[Janice Dimock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great ideas. I wasn't quite as blown away as I was by The Big Leap- but that was probably one of my first PD books. I still learned a lot and will apply the ideas from the book.

[Gabriella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that the book presented realistic things to try to start shifting thinking and perspective.

[S Dot · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Serge Larose · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Genius Zone is a thoughtful and empowering follow-up to The Big Leap, diving deeper into the process of living in your Zone of Genius—not just visiting it occasionally, but building a life around it.
I picked this up from my local library after finishing The Big Leap, and I’m glad I did. While the first book introduces powerful ideas like the “Upper Limit Problem” and the “Zone of Genius,” The Genius Zone gives more guidance on how to stay there intentionally, even when distractions or doubts creep in.
One of the most valuable takeaways for me was the idea that worry is a habit of the mind that can be interrupted and redirected. Hendricks encourages readers to treat worry as a cue—not to spiral, but to pause and ask a better question: What creative action could I take instead right now?
He also introduces a simple but powerful daily practice:
“I commit to discovering and expressing my genius in every moment.”
This isn’t just about career or performance—it’s about tapping into the creative flow that feels most like you.
I gave it 4 stars because while it offers practical advice and gentle coaching, it can feel a bit repetitive if you've just read The Big Leap. That said, the reinforcement is helpful, especially if you’re actively trying to apply the concepts.
If you're ready to take the next step after identifying your Zone of Genius, this book is a great companion—and a gentle nudge toward living a more purposeful, joyful life.

[Hope Decker · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I found in this books was a delightful guide to letting go of negative thoughts and creating space for creative genius. This book is extremely accessible and can benefit readers no matter how committed they are to living a creative life.

What sets this book apart from other self-improvement books with similar topics is how effective the hands-on activities are. In every chapter, there are at least a few moments where the author asks you to write something out, or to become aware of your breathing as you contemplate some of the big ideas that he presents. I found the activities to be very useful as I went through them on my own. Listing things that I absolutely cannot control in life is proving to be such a time & energy saver--I no longer need to spend any time worrying about things I cannot control! I'm sure that I will continue to add to this list, as I am a ace worrier and transformation can take some time.

I also see potential for this book to be a great book club choice for any business organization that values creativity. This was a quick read, but it is filled with ideas that stick, and there are plenty of additional activities in the appendix for further exploration.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this one isn’t going to hit for everyone out there but it is a very simple, very quick read

hendricks preaches nearly everything i personally advocate for:

- your “genius zone” (what you could lose time doing and not notice because you enjoy it so much) is almost always found in childhood and is the key to your success and fulfillment. We often end up doing things that we’re good at, not necessarily what we love- the reason for that varies, i think it could’ve been more impactful had he incorporated the survival aspect that motives and also limits most people from discovering their genius.

- challenging things that happen in childhood repeat in an archetypal loop in all of your other relationships until you find a way to resolve them or do something differently. these kinds of relationships can keep you stunted and fundamentally dishonest

- acceptance is the most evolved way to transcend your current circumstances because you release your attachment to the things you cannot control

for me it was very affirming and showed me where i am still potentially being dishonest with myself and others. this is a very human design aligned philosophy

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In “The Genius Zone: The Breakthrough Process to End Negative Thinking and Live in True Creativity" which I received through Goodreads Giveaways, Dr. Gay Hendricks offers concrete advice for identifying and breaking a pattern of negative thoughts. Each day he points out moments in his “Genius Move” of taking control and making your life the one you want to live by focusing on the positive not the negative. The remainder of the book is applying the principles to end negative thinking and expanding authentic creativity, to be able to live in the "Genius Zone".

Well-developed Guy Hendricks uses personal insight and experience to make his point while using “hands-on activities” to make the principles explored a reality. At the end of the book Appendix A provides a “Genius Zone Workbook and Study Guide” while Appendix B provides a “Completions Checklist.”

A great book to be followed either by yourself or in a workshop atmosphere, I highly recommend it as a guide for transforming your life; to stop worrying about things you can’t control.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hendrick preaches us to identify what comes most naturally to you- and then capitalizing on that, rather than identifying what as come naturally to other people, and trying to teach yourself those skills in order to mimic and recreate their genius.

Favourite quote:
"As with any other kind of lasting, meaningful change, commitment is the gateway to the zone of genius. When I work with busy executives, I start by asking them to make a commitment to blocking out just ten minutes a day in their calendars to devote to cultivating their genius. The ten minutes can involve journaling, mediating, or any number of other activities, just as long as your are focusing on your genius for ten uninterrupting minutes. After you have gotten your ten minutes a day you're on your routine, then bump it up to fifteen minutes. Ultimately I want to see people I work with spending 90% of their time in their zone of genius, but you've got to start somewhere and my recommendation is to start with ten minutes a day"

This is a book I reach constantly to remind, feed, promote motivation.

[Lukas Michalek]

Do you spend your days doing work that’s not a good use of your skills or spend your nights worrying that you won’t reach your potential? In The Genius Zone, psychologist Gay Hendricks writes that the best way to stop living an unfulfilling life is to start tapping into your creativity.

By devoting your time to creative work in what Hendricks calls your “Genius Zone,” you can build a happier life for yourself and for others. Hendricks asserts that genius isn’t just a matter of skill: It’s also about how you do the things you love and the depth of attention you devote to the tasks that are most satisfying to you.

In this guide, we explore what the Genius Zone is and why spending time in it makes you feel happier. We also examine Hendricks’s methods for getting in touch with your creativity, and we compare his ideas to other big ideas like flow and mindfulness that can help you live a more satisfying life.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

“How can I spend the majority of my time doing what I most love to do, while also making my greatest contribution to the world?”

The Genius Zone was a quick and easy listen with a focus on self-reflection and self-development of your creative abilities. With simple advice, listeners can easily apply the discussion points to their day-to-day lives. While the hands-on exercises were likely beneficial, I felt that their meaning was lost through the audiobook format. Great starter book for those beginning on their self-development journey.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Steve Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was Stevo's Business Book of the Week for the week of 7/4, as selected by Stevo's Book Reviews on the Internet and Stevo's Novel Ideas. Hendricks teaches us to reach our full potential by tapping into our own innate creativity. Though the book at times goes overboard with "genius" jargon, the techniques, many involving journaling, are effective at turning negative thinking into constructive action.

Find more Business Books of the week on my Goodreads Listopia page at https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9..., and find many more recommended books on my Amazon Influencer page at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevo4747 or by searching for me on Google.

[Carnell Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning of this book explains the necessity for positive thinking and behavior. Eliminating negative thoughts through breathing and meditations sounds like the common self-help knowledge I’ve heard some many times before and I almost didn’t make it through all the chapters. However this foundation powerfully introduces the practical instructions and activities in the later chapters and I found myself making breakthroughs in my attitude and thinking while reading this. This book is best used as a workbook and you will need to revisit the exercises diligently to gain the most from it. I highly recommend this for anyone who is in a creative rut and for anyone who wants to live more deeply in their purpose.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading all the gay Hendricks books.
The central point is to find your genius zone, where you feel inspired and passionate about what you do, and let go of the negative thinking that block that path.

Find what on the moment one is trying to control and let go of trying to control it.

When you feel unhappy, wonder about what you’re trying to control that you can’t control, and make a conscious decision to let go.

What’s your genius? If you love to do something, without prompting, there’s elements of your genius in there.

True creativity is when your genius serves you and others at the same time.

All successful change starts with commitment. What were committed to getting out of life.

Complete your communications. Don’t leave things unsaid, they come out in insidious ways.

[Emily Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was kind of meh for me.

It felt like a lot of thoughts strung together with no connecting factor. It didn’t feel cohesive. The topic the book was titled after, the genius zone seemed like an after thought at the end.

My takeaways from the book are that unhappiness comes from trying to control things you can’t control and the things you can’t control are the past, the future, and the actions and thoughts of others.

And then there were also some parts about creativity that didn’t feel like they belonged in the same book as the previous take away.

It was fine, but not a home run in my eyes.

[Corporeal Concerns · Rating 1 out of 5]

Eeeeh... This feels like a collection of rejected chapters from The Big Leap (which I loved). I was hoping that this book would be a more in-depth take on the "genius zone" (how to find it and how to live in it). It wasn't. The Big Leap provides a lot more information on the topic.

In the end, I got 1-2 new helpful nuggets and... a descriptive list of Hendricks' non-committal romantic adventures?? Okay.

[Zee Monodee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ended up getting way too much overly candid detail about the author's love life and relationships than about the genius zone and living in/thriving with your creativity every day.
The book also felt 'dated' in the sense the author has been using these principles to teach since the 1970s - yet while what he explains is relevant, it's more commonly known under the principles of detachment, non-attachment, and authenticity today.
Maybe someone non-'woo-woo' would find this kind of explanation more palatable, but ultimately, this is pretty much what this book covers (amid a lot of detail about author's past relationships!)

[Hussain Abbas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a little difficult to give this any other rating than 5. Not because I think you should read it (I think it's very valuable), but it's filled with the intense feeling of change and transformation.

I don't think you will find a lot of use for this book unless you are already convinced by The Big Leap. But if you want a more practical guide to what's described in The Big Leap, this is your workbook. Apart from containing the essential description of the Zone of Genius, it contains activities that bring it all in action.

[Hwydiva · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am starting to realize the self-help game. Make up a slogan, force your patients into the mold you created, and hope Oprah picks you up so people will buy into it.

While reading this book, I highlighted the most important details. In rereading the highlights, I realize there isn't really much new here. Don't live in the past or future. Don't try to control what you can't control. Spend the time you save doing what you love instead. You are now in the Genious Zone.

NOTE: I was provided an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[luna marlena · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick audio listen for a little boost of inspiration

i got the recommendation for this from twitter for a little boost of inspiration for more creativity in my life. while this did have that element, i feel like it was more heavy on the "negative thinking" side. i did get some good, thought provoking questions and ideas from the hands-on elements but a lot of the other pieces just felt like a repackaging of information i've heard before.

i will say the negative self talk about the author's previous body was definitely a detractor from the content of the book.

[Lindy Dierks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up with a Mother that is extremely negative. I'm pretty positive, but if I'm not careful, my thoughts can be negative about new experiences. I thought this book's hands on activities were really quite helpful. Someone can read about how to change negative thinking, but until you actively implement the activities is when real change happens. I thought this book was very informative and helpful! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

[Melissa Koesel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy read, and although I think many will find parts inside helpful, for me it just was what it was.

I have read books and taken many therapy sessions and courses in both DBT and CBT, and I felt the hands-on experience given in any of those were far more helpful then those in this book. But… If somebody didn’t have access to that, or just needed quick help or a refresher, this book may benefit them.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Genius Zone by Guy Hendricks is a very helpful book. I enjoyed getting to know the author through the personal stories he shared throughout the book. I am using the tools presented with success. I am glad to know about the author and the other helpful tools that I found on his website. I would have gotten even more from the book if I had studied it with a group. Overall a great & worthwhile read.

[Chel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read Gay Hendricks books before, and always been very impressed. This one was no exception - fantastic book, which I highly recommend to anyone who wants to live their life to their full potential, think positively and change direction or advance themselves even more. I read a LOT of self-help/ motivation/ business books, and I think Gay's books are some of the best. My highest recommendation.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.