Stop settling for “good enough” work
Let’s talk about something that might be quietly holding you back in your career or business: how much of your work is truly in your genius zone?
I mean the kind of work you love to do.
The work that gives you energy, that feels so aligned with your strengths and purpose that you lose track of time. The work that not only makes you come alive, but also creates real, positive impact.
For me, that’s coaching, leading workshops, and writing. When I’m supporting people to get clearer and more honest about who they are and what they want, and be more confident in their power and potential, I feel lit up from within.
It feels not that long ago that I used to be at the other extreme. My work looked great on LinkedIn, my ego was full. But I only later realized that I had unknowingly built my career around hiding who I really was instead of bringing my real interests and strengths forward.
Deep down, I knew I had so much more potential—not just to do well in my work, but to feel truly fulfilled by my work. And, I wanted to shift the generational ‘work for money’ survival approach, and show my kids that it’s possible to have a different relationship with work.
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because far too few of us are actually alive.” - Howard Thurman
And not gonna lie—it took plenty of twists and turns to get here, and it’s still a journey. Because we never really “arrive.” There’s no final destination, only continuous growth.
The Trap of the Zone of Excellence
Here’s the hard truth: many of us spend way too much time in what Gay Hendricks calls the Zone of Excellence—work that keeps us busy and rewarded, but not fulfilled.
It’s a trap, because staying there feels safe; and sadly with the recent mass layoffs, we know it’s not actually safe to stay in a role you don’t thrive in. Nor is it healthy to cling to perceived safety if it costs your growth and zest for life.
Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean it’s where you’re meant to stay.
In The Big Leap, Hendricks calls this the "Upper Limit Problem"—you reach a certain level of success and unconsciously hold yourself back, either because of fear of the unknown, fear of failure, or even fear of success (!!). It’s because your nervous system is bumping up against its old limits of how much love, success, or joy you believe you deserve.
Hendricks identified four zones of function:
As a result, you stay busy, externally rewarded, but quietly unfulfilled.
The Career Audit You Need Right Now
So I want to invite you to reflect:
How much of your work energizes you—even if you don’t know why?
What parts of your week align with your vision and heart?
Where are you growing your career and skills—and where are you just staying busy?
Are you taking the time to be in the conversations, meetings, and rooms that help you clarify and bring your next level to life?
And most importantly: where are you being called to go all in?
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or pulled in too many directions, the problem usually isn’t that you need a new job or client.
It’s that you need a shift—in what you do, in how you do it, and in who you’re being as you lead.
What’s Really Holding You Back?
When I ask new clients what holds them back, 9 out of 10 say: “Myself.”
And they’re right. The problem isn’t that you’re not working hard enough. It’s that you’re pouring your energy into the wrong things.
Maybe you’re stuck in…
Work you’ve outgrown: Safe but no longer challenging or exciting.
Perfectionism trap: Overthinking or over-polishing things that don’t actually move the needle.
Energy bottlenecks: Meetings, processes, or routines that take time but don’t create impact.
But let me be clear: sometimes the drain isn’t just about you. It’s also the system we’re in, toxic cultures that reward burnout.
If that’s you, give yourself grace. You’ve been surviving. But you also deserve more than survival.
I know it may feel like a privilege to even ask these questions, especially when so many are focused on stability and providing for the family, but giving yourself permission to wonder what truly makes you come alive is not indulgent, it’s necessary.
How To Level Up
Every quarter, I do my own career audit. Not just a review of business metrics, but a deeper look at what work truly lights me up (and sometimes I’m surprised, because growth isn’t linear), and how am I holding myself back, playing safe instead of stepping into my potential.
This practice isn’t easy—but it’s where my biggest breakthroughs always come from. I see where I’m avoiding conversations and projects that would really stretch me.
Because here’s what I’ve learned: the growth I crave never comes from doing more. It comes from creating space for what matters most.
Join Me for a FREE Workshop:
If this resonates with you, I’d love to invite you to a workshop I’m hosting:
✨The Career Audit You Need to Unlock Your Next Level✨
September 12 | 10–11 AM PST (+ 30 mins Q&A)
Together, we’ll dive into:
How to identify and expand your Genius Zone—the work that truly energizes you.
The energy bottlenecks that quietly stall your growth (and how to clear them).
The leadership patterns and mindsets that got you here—but won’t get you to your next level of growth.
You’ll leave with your own career audit, practical tools to free up your energy, and the clarity to move forward with courage and confidence.
The Next Step After That
And if you’re ready to go deeper, this Fall’s Inside-Out Leadership Accelerator (IOLA) cohort opens for early registration the same day. (As a subscriber, you’ll get an early-bird $250 OFF.)
This round, I’m adding a new challenge: Simplify to Amplify—a reset that frees up energy for what matters most.
Here’s what happens when leaders take this seriously:
One client freed up 1.5 days a week by cutting unnecessary meetings and delegating, which opened the door to her next promotion.
Another streamlined her work and found space to meet new clients—growing her income while working less.
And one leader finally had the bandwidth to take on a bold initiative she’d been dreaming about for years.
This is what happens when you stop spinning your wheels and start showing up as an intentional, conscious leader of your work and life.
Your next level of growth and wholeness begins the moment you stop hiding and start honoring the truth of what makes you come alive—in every part of your life, including your work.
I can’t wait to support you in this work.
With love and excitement, Ramona
P.S. Don’t skip this audit—it could be the unlock you’ve been looking for. Reserve your spot for the free workshop HERE.
P.S.S. Inside IOLA, we dedicate an entire session to uncovering your Genius Zone in depth, where I’ll personally coach you and your peers will reflect back what they see too—so if you’re ready to go deeper, this is one of the most powerful parts of the program.
Hi, I’m Ramona, a leadership coach and trainer helping high-achieving professionals lead with confidence, clarity, and ease—without burnout or self-doubt.
I’ve coached and led workshops at Google, Meta, Warner Media, Cisco, Deloitte, Accenture, Mars, VC firms, and mid-size startups, helping leaders break free from overwork, self-doubt, and people-pleasing.
With a blend of neuroscience, mindfulness, mindset coaching, and leadership strategy, I guide leaders through career transitions, entrepreneurship, executive presence, and personal growth. My credentials include: IPEC Certified Leadership Coach | Certified Positive Intelligence Coach Emotional Intelligence Trainer | Mindfulness Meditation Teacher
Before coaching, I spent years as a marketing leader in tech (Twitter, eBay, Ancestry, StubHub), so I deeply understand the pressures of corporate leadership.
I believe that when leaders step into their full potential, they don’t just advance their careers—they create ripples of positive change.
