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13 min 58 sec
Available in:English

Your Big Leap Year: A Year to Manifest Your Next-Level Life ... Starting Today!

A year of daily questions, exercises and affirmations for catching the ways you undermine yourself when life goes well. It also helps you spend more of your time on the work you love and do best.

Table of Content

If your life is going well and you still sense you are playing below your level, Gay Hendricks has a blunt diagnosis: the main thing holding you back is probably you. In Your Big Leap Year, a 365-day companion to his 2009 book The Big Leap, the Stanford-trained psychologist argues that people carry an inner limit on how much success and happiness they will allow, and tend to trip themselves up when they reach it. He calls this the upper limit problem.

The year he lays out works on two fronts at once. One is clearing away those self-made limits. The other is spending more of every day in your genius zone, where you do what you love and make your biggest difference to others. It does not have to wait for January. Hendricks says it can start today.

Ahead are his daily tools: questions that begin with a thoughtful hmmm, a timed exercise for measuring how much good feeling you can stand, and a way of clearing the air with the people around you.

Doing something very well and being praised for it sounds like the goal. Hendricks sees a trap hidden in exactly that place, and a simple map that shows where most of your hours are really going.

The biggest threat to your progress may not be a bad week at all. Hendricks points at a stranger danger, and his tool for exposing it begins with a single drawn-out syllable.

Most people assume joy is easy to hold on to and pain is hard. Hendricks suggests the reverse is often true, and offers a way to measure, in minutes, how much happiness you can currently stand.

Some people feel undeserving when good news arrives. Others feel guilty for doing better than their family or their friends. Hendricks traces these reactions to a short chain of causes most of us never see.

Self-sabotage rarely looks dramatic. It can hide inside sensible worrying, honest feedback, a modest reply to a compliment or a packed calendar. Hendricks names the ordinary habits that give it away.

Your body may already know which people drain you and which ones help you grow. Hendricks shows how to read that signal, and why so many conversations leave something behind that slowly weighs on you.

A year spent hunting your own limits sounds exhausting. Hendricks argues it should feel close to the opposite, and one of his most useful tools asks you to do nothing at all.

What Hendricks offers is a change in where you look for the problem. It is easy to blame outside obstacles for staying stuck. He points instead at an inner thermostat that switches off good feeling once it climbs past a familiar level, and then finds a reason, a worry, a quarrel, a broken promise, to bring things back down. Seen that way, the rough patch after a success is a signal, and every signal can be studied with a hmmm instead of a scolding.

The year has no required start date. You can begin today by making the promise from day one and saying it aloud. Then time yourself once with a happy memory and write the number down, so you can watch it grow over the coming months. Before the week is out, close one gap: tell someone what you have been meaning to say, ideally something warm.

None of this asks you to become someone else. It asks you to let yourself feel as good as things already are, and a little better each day after that.

About this book

What is this book about?

Plenty of people reach a good place in life and then stall, or find a way to spoil it. Gay Hendricks calls this the upper limit problem: an inner ceiling on how much success and happiness we will allow ourselves, enforced by self-sabotage the moment things improve. Written as a 365-day companion to his 2009 book The Big Leap, Your Big Leap Year turns that idea into a daily practice. Hendricks works on two fronts. One is clearing away the hidden beliefs behind the ceiling, such as feeling fundamentally flawed, treating success as a burden to others or fearing you will outshine the people around you. The other is moving more of your day into your genius zone, where you do what you love and make your biggest difference. The tools are simple and concrete: wonder questions that begin with a thoughtful hmmm, a timed exercise for measuring how much good feeling you can tolerate, a way of sorting the people in your life, the habit of closing the gap in conversations, and ten minutes of deliberate laziness. The year can begin on any day, including today.

Book Information

Rating:

Genre:

Personal Development

Topics:

Mindset, Purpose, Self-Awareness

Publisher:

Macmillan

Language:

English

Narrator:

Robert

First published:

February 13, 2024

Pages:

432

Length:

13 min 58 sec

Get the book:

Amazon

Who it's for

  • Professionals who self-sabotage

    Professionals who reach a good stretch and then find ways to spoil it.

  • Stuck high performers

    High performers stuck in work they do well but no longer love.

  • Uneasy outshining loved ones

    People who feel guilty about outshining family or friends and want gentle daily tools for change.

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About the Author

Gay Hendricks

Gay Hendricks earned a PhD in psychology from Stanford University in 1974 and spent 21 years at the University of Colorado, becoming a full professor in counseling psychology. He founded The Hendricks Institute, which runs seminars in North America, Asia and Europe, and has coached more than 800 executives, including leaders at Dell and Motorola. Together with Kathlyn, he has written more than 35 books, among them Conscious Loving and the New York Times bestseller Five Wishes.

Ratings & Reviews

Ratings at a glance

3.9

Overall score based on 18 ratings.

What people think

Listeners value the accessible day-by-day organization of this work, which offers brief meditations and positive statements intended to guide individuals toward their "Zone of Genius." While some listeners feel the material can be repetitive, many find the 366-day structure encourages steady attention on lasting development. Furthermore, they point out that the exercises fit seamlessly into packed routines, with one listener highlighting that the ten-minute entries make the process of self-improvement seem far more approachable. Additionally, they consider it a helpful tool for pinpointing and moving past internal barriers. They also suggest the guide functions as a motivating everyday practice for writing and exploring one's inner self.

Top reviews

Prasarn

As a longtime fan of Hendricks’ work, I was thrilled to see a companion that focuses on implementation rather than just theory. The Big Leap changed my perspective years ago, but this book is what’s actually changing my daily habits through consistent action. The writing is clear, warm, and encouraging. I’ve found that the daily affirmations act as a mental reset when I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed by my own high expectations. It’s not just about business success; it touches on health and relationships too, making it a well-rounded guide for a next-level life. If you’re ready to stop playing small, this is the daily nudge you need to keep moving forward. I’ve already bought copies for three of my friends who are starting their own businesses this year because the genius zone concept is just too good not to share.

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Willow

Ever wonder why you self-sabotage just when things are starting to go well? This book dives deep into that "Upper Limit Problem" in a way that feels incredibly personal and supportive for the average reader. Gay Hendricks acts as a gentle mentor, guiding you through 366 days of shifting your mindset from "just okay" to truly extraordinary. I love that it accounts for leap years, meaning there are no gaps in the journey. The affirmations are powerful without being cheesy, and the daily "leaps" are actionable tasks that don't require hours of meditation. It’s about building a sustainable habit of excellence rather than a quick fix. This has become a non-negotiable part of my morning routine, right alongside my coffee and journaling. It's a total game-changer for my productivity.

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Pun

Wow, what a transformation this little book has kickstarted in my daily routine. I used to wake up and immediately check my stressful emails, but now I reach for this guide first to ground myself in a more positive, focused mindset. The affirmations are specifically designed to tackle that nasty inner critic we all have. I've found myself repeating them throughout the day when I hit a snag in my projects. It really helps you identify those sneaky barriers in real-time. The short entries are perfect for busy parents or professionals who want to grow but don't have an hour to spare for reading. It’s like a daily therapy session that fits in your pocket. I can’t recommend the print version enough for anyone who wants to manifest a more fulfilling existence.

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Watchara

Consistency is something I’ve struggled with for years, but the 366-day layout of this book makes it nearly impossible to fail. I love that it’s inclusive of leap years, showing a real attention to detail from the author. Each "leap" is small enough to be doable but significant enough to make you think critically about your life choices. I’ve been using this as a journaling prompt every morning, and it has significantly improved my focus and overall outlook on my career path. It bridges the gap between knowing what you should do and actually doing it. Hendricks has a way of making high-level concepts feel accessible and urgent. It’s a beautiful, inspiring daily ritual that I plan to continue long after the year is over. Truly a must-read.

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Meen

Picked this up because I felt stuck in my career, and the bite-sized nature of these entries is exactly what my frantic schedule needed. Each morning, I spend about five to ten minutes reading the daily reflection, and it sets a much more intentional tone for the rest of my workday. While some of the advice feels like common sense, the power is really in the daily repetition of these concepts until they actually stick. It’s a lot easier to digest than the original book if you’re short on time. I’ve noticed I’m less likely to hit that "upper limit" wall when I’m checking in with these prompts regularly. It isn't a magic wand, but it’s a solid, practical tool for anyone wanting to stay focused on growth without feeling overwhelmed by a long book.

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Kiattisak

The daily structure of this guide is its greatest strength, offering a manageable path toward big life changes. Many self-help books demand a total life overhaul in a weekend, which is why most of us fail, but this one asks for only ten minutes. I appreciate how Hendricks breaks down the heavy lifting into tiny, digestible affirmations and reflections that keep your goals top-of-mind. Some days resonate more than others, and a few prompts felt a bit recycled from his earlier work, but the cumulative effect is undeniable. It’s helped me identify several subconscious barriers I was putting up against my own success. It is a fantastic resource for anyone who prefers a slow and steady approach to self-improvement. Definitely keep a journal handy because you'll want to write down your thoughts.

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Jiraporn

Finally got around to starting this on January 1st, and I’m genuinely impressed by the consistency it encourages. The "Zone of Genius" concept is life-changing if you actually apply it, and having a daily prompt helps keep that concept from fading into the background of a busy life. My only gripe is that some of the "leaps" feel a bit similar, but perhaps that’s the point—reinforcement is key to rewiring the brain. The physical book is high quality and looks great on a nightstand, which helps remind me to pick it up every morning. It’s a very low-pressure way to engage with self-growth. I’d recommend it to anyone who finds traditional self-help books too dense or difficult to finish. It’s practical, grounded, and surprisingly effective for such short entries.

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Suwit

To be fair, I think your experience with this book depends entirely on the format you choose. I started with the audiobook, but it was a total mistake because the short, daily nature of the content doesn't translate well to a continuous listen. It felt repetitive and disjointed in my ears. However, once I switched to the physical copy, it made much more sense as a slow-burn companion for my morning coffee. The entries are quite brief—sometimes a bit too brief—leaving me wanting more substance on the complex psychological barriers Hendricks mentions. It’s a decent motivational tool, but it doesn't offer much "new" information if you’ve already read The Big Leap. It’s more of a refresher course than a deep dive into new territory.

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Duangjai

Look, if you've already mastered the principles in the original book, you might find this one a bit redundant. It’s very much a "greatest hits" collection of Hendricks’ advice, repackaged into a daily calendar format. While the convenience is nice, the depth isn't always there, and some entries feel like they were written just to hit the 366-day count. Personally, I found the tone a bit too "New Age" at times, which isn't always my vibe, but the core message about overcoming self-imposed limits remains solid. It’s a three-star read for me—good as a grounding ritual, but it lacks the "wow" factor I expected from such a big name in the industry. It works as a refresher, but don't expect a deep dive into new psychology.

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Amy

Not what I expected after hearing so many rave reviews about the author's previous work. Frankly, I found the content to be incredibly superficial and repetitive to the point of frustration. It felt like the same few ideas—stay in your genius zone, watch out for limits—were just reworded 366 different ways to fill a calendar. I was looking for deeper psychological insights or new exercises, but instead, I got a lot of "fluff" that didn't really challenge my perspective. It feels a bit like a secondary companion rather than a standalone piece of valuable literature. If you're a die-hard Hendricks fan, you might enjoy the daily reminders, but for me, it was a chore to get through and lacked any real substance or unique advice.

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Questions about this book

Gay Hendricks argues that people carry an inner ceiling on how much success and happiness they will allow themselves, and tend to sabotage things when life goes well. He calls this the upper limit problem. The book is a 365-day companion to The Big Leap, offering daily questions, exercises and affirmations to clear those limits and move more of your time into your genius zone, where you do what you love and make your biggest impact.

An upper limit problem, or ULP, is the habit of undermining yourself just as things improve. Hendricks traces it to hidden beliefs formed in early life, such as feeling fundamentally flawed, seeing success as a burden or betrayal, or fearing you will outshine others. Its everyday signs include excessive worry, criticism and blame, deflecting praise and breaking agreements. He recommends exploring it with curiosity instead of criticism.

Hendricks sorts daily activities into four zones. Incompetence covers tasks you are poor at and dislike. Competence covers tasks you can manage but anyone could do. Excellence covers work you do very well, though he warns it often leads to burnout or stagnation. The genius zone is where you are absorbed in what you love most and make your greatest contribution to the world.

Hendricks says the year can begin on any day. Start by committing aloud to growing your genius daily. Ask wonder questions that open with a hmmm, such as what you most love to do. Measure your tolerance for good feeling by timing how long you can stay with a happy memory. Then close one gap by telling someone something positive you have left unsaid, and try ten minutes of deliberate laziness.

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