When I started my career out of university I worked at a non-profit. I spent over 13 years there (I know, right?!). If you’ve ever worked at a non-profit you know that it’s VERY much like entrepreneurship – you have to learn how to do everything. There’s no one to hire, no team to delegate to; it’s your project and you need to figure it out (and get it done!). It was seriously my training ground for self-employment.

As I moved from coordinator, to manager, to director, I eventually got to hire a team and was in a place where I could delegate the things that DID NOT serve me. I had to take a deep look at what I wanted to do, what I was great at doing, and what I couldn’t WAIT to offload.

Same thing is happening in my business. I grew. I assessed. I hired. I delegated. You too have a creative spark and a passion for what you do, but let's talk about how you can focus on what truly makes you shine.

EMBRACE YOUR TALENTS

Ready to uncover your entrepreneurial superpowers? Grab a notepad and let's get started with these fun, insightful questions:

What Activities Bring You Joy? List activities that light you up and make you lose track of time.

When Do You Feel Most Confident? Identify situations where you feel in your element.

What Do People Compliment You On? Those pats on the back reveal your strengths.

What Tasks Do You Always Prioritize? The things you can't wait to tackle are a clue.

What Would You Do for Free? If you weren't worried about money, what would you dive into?

When Have You Experienced Flow? Recall moments when you were totally immersed in your work.

What Roles Do You Naturally Assume? Are you the idea generator, planner, or communicator?

What Makes You Different? Uncover the unique skills that set you apart.

What Do You Find Yourself Teaching? Teaching often stems from your core talents.

What Feels Effortless? Identify tasks that just click without struggle.

MAPPING YOUR GENIUS ZONES: THE GRID OF AWESOMENESS

Remember that org chart you created (click here to jump back to that post) Time to put it to work! List out your key roles and tasks and plot them on the Genius Zones grid. You can download a template HERE.

This exercise can help you see where your energy should flow and where it might be better spent elsewhere.

Picture it as a graph with two axes: on the horizontal axis, we've got "Love vs. Hate," and on the vertical axis, "Can Do in Sleep vs. Takes Forever." Your goal? To plot your tasks on this grid to find where you thrive.

For instance, if you absolutely love something and can do it in your sleep, that's your Genius Zone! But if you hate it and it takes forever, it might be time to delegate or find support.

FOCUSING YOUR ENERGY

Now that you've identified your sweet spots, let's take action:

Delegate and Outsource: Tasks outside your Genius Zone? Delegate or outsource them so you can focus on what you excel at.

Skills Upgrade: Invest in training to boost your skills in areas you want to excel in.

Collaborate: Partner up with fellow entrepreneurs whose strengths complement your weaknesses.

Time Blocking: Dedicate time blocks to your Genius Zone tasks and protect them fiercely.

Say No: Politely decline tasks that drain your energy and fall outside your zone.

IN A NUTSHELL

Finding your role in your business is like discovering your superpower. Embrace your talents, map your Genius Zones, and take actionable steps to make your strengths shine. Remember, this journey is about building a business that feeds your soul and fuels your success. You've got this!