The Big Leap

By: Gay Hendricks

Narrated by: Gay Hendricks

Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

Most of us believe that we will finally feel satisfied and content with our lives when we get the good news we have been waiting for, find a healthy relationship, or achieve one of our personal goals. However, this rarely happens. Good fortune is often followed by negative emotions that overtake us and result in destructive behaviors. "I don't deserve this," "this is too good to be true," or any number of harmful thought patterns prevent us from experiencing the joy and satisfaction we have earned.

Sound familiar? This is what New York Times best-selling author Gay Hendricks calls the Upper Limit Problem, a negative emotional reaction that occurs when anything positive enters our lives. The Upper Limit Problem not only prevents happiness, but it actually stops us from achieving our goals. It is the ultimate life roadblock.

In The Big Leap, Hendricks reveals a simple yet comprehensive program for overcoming this barrier to happiness and fulfillment, presented in a way that engages both the mind and heart. Working closely with more than 1,000 extraordinary achievers in business and the arts, from rock stars to Fortune 500 executives, whose stories are featured in these pages, the book describes the four hidden fears that are at the root of the Upper Limit Problem.

The Big Leap delivers a proven method for first identifying which of these four fears prevents us from reaching our personal upper limit, and then breaking through that limitation to achieve what Hendricks refers to as our Zone of Genius. Hendricks provides a clear path for achieving our true potential and attaining not only financial success but also success in love and life.

©2009 Gay Hendricks (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Inspiring, useful, a little preachy but VERY good

Thought-provoking, inspiring, a little preachy but otherwise VERY good...

I agree with other reviews that this book starts off feeling a little anthonyrobbinesque (yes I did just make that word up haha) - but I was intrigued to see where it went, and how it developed.
I found it extremely useful more as a springboard for exploring my own situation and my own limits. I am somewhat skeptical by nature, and so took the book as I do any self-help resource - with a good grain of salt and an open mind.
I would say that anyone expecting a manual for success will probably be somewhat disappointed - but anyone with the courage to look inside themselves and honestly ask what holds them back from happiness and success will find the book inspiring and thought provoking.
No book holds "the answers" in itself, but I think this book could help people to begin really *looking* for the answers.
I'm listening to this for the 2nd time, and am buying a copy for a friend. I think that speaks as loud as any long-winded review, hm? ;)

31 of 31 people found this review helpful

Changes my life

This book has changed my life. The way I live think act respond. The hours that were once days are now minutes as I embrace Einstein Time. The concepts I share with those around me. I bet I've accidentally sold dozens of copies of this book just by how much I tell others about its influence. I've listened to it 10 times now and am making my Big Leap into the life I've always meant to create.

23 of 23 people found this review helpful

On my third listen

It might take me years to implement all the wisdom in this book, but thanks to this book, I will take a lighthearted, 'hmm' approach to the learning. I was so ready for this. Between Don Miguel Luiz, Gary Zukav, Chopra, Byron Katie and now Hendricks...life is amazing and ever more amazing all the time.

Inspirational, uplifting, transformative... how can I add stars?

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Breaking Your Personal Glass Ceiling

This book is really eye opening. Does this sound like you – You have success and things are going very well. Then something goes wrong and you end up back where you were. Has that happened in your career, with your finances or your relationships? If you said yes, The Big Leap is for you. It is about how to recognize your upper limit behavior and break through you self imposed glass ceiling.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Okay, but it's still lacking

The beginning is powerful, but then the book turns dull and inconsistent. It tries to be inclusive to many things, but lost my attention -and my interest- in the process.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Monotonous & slow - sad, as was recommended highly

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The premise is engaging -- but the author's reading and clinical terminology killed it for me.

Full disclosure -- I (started) listening to it on a cross-country road trip directly after listening to "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck", which is charming, written for humans (not students -- or faculty -- as "The Big Leap seems to be"), and read by someone other than the author -- who knew how to engage an audience.

In comparison, "The Big Leap" is slow and technical. I only made it though 20 or 30 minutes of it before giving up and trying something else.

Sad, because it came highly recommended to me by a mentor/friend. Guess they hadn't "read" anything more friendly before "reading" this book.

What could Gay Hendricks have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

The terms the author used to identify various stages/actions/ideas in the book were long and forgettable. In fact, I've forgotten them all, so can't think of a specific example -- but they seemed to only made sense to someone who committed to reading/listening to the entire book (who heard them often enough for them to stick).

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The homogeneous tone of the author's voice killed it for me -- getting a trained narrator to read this book would have helped make it more palatable.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Big Leap?

Didn't make it far enough to answer this...

Any additional comments?

Thanks for trying -- it seems to help lots of people -- I'm just not one of them.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

This really gets you thinking... life-changing!!

I'm in the process of reinventing myself in my 50's having become a Life Coach a little over a year ago. I'm always looking to up-level myself and most books can be helpful but I find often times it's something I've heard before or maybe just didn't resonate with me. Well, this book is different... I immediately hit replay after I'd finished it because there's so much GOLD in it that I knew I had to listen again to absorb more of the incredible insights it offers. Gay has a great way of putting things... his playfulness and witty choice of words makes it fun to listen to and his passion makes you want what he's got. Love this book!!!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Chock full of important concepts

The Big Leap is full of wisdom and practical, applicable steps. I appreciate the depth of this book-it reflects a profound knowledge in psychology, relationship, spirituality and human potential. This is the real deal. I have at least 3 big new concepts from this book that I'm certain will be pivotal to my life. Thank you, Gay Hendricks.
The audio is read by the author, but don't be wary potential buyers. I often am disappointed with author-read material because they often don't have the "polish" of the professional readers. But Gay Hendricks' reading is an easy listen. The audio has the feeling of a caring friend/coach/ therapist imparting material they truly care about. Really, I can't say enough about this book. Get it.

31 of 36 people found this review helpful

ok

found the voice very mono tone, so it took me awhile to get through it. the content was good.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Game Changer

This book was recommended to me by a friend and boy am I glad that I listen to her. This book is a game changer. Within the first five minutes I knew I was in the right place. Halfway through the book, things started shifting in my life. I'm so thankful for it.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Medicine for the nerves

Speaks of intangible but real stuff that calms nerves . Greatly worth the time invested.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The Big Leap - let it change the way you think!

The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks is by far the best personal development book I've ever read (or even better, listened to!).
Gay makes everything very clear, and gives easy steps to take in order to improve your mindset, which in turns allows you to make positive changes.
The audiobook format is excellent, as it's so easy to focus on what's being said when you're listening, rather than being distracted whilst reading. I'm listening to it for the second time already!
I've recommended this to a dozen of my friends.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Insights into why we undershoot our potential

I read this in paperback last year and really enjoyed it, yet as with many personal development products/services, I felt I needed more to get the key learning points really down pat. This recording just does that for me.
If you haven't read the book, this audio version can definitely stand alone and is a really good listen.
Great that the author is doing the reading, and he does it very well, with humour, gentleness and wisdom, in a style that's easy to listen to. Gay provides really practical insights into why so many of us undershoot our potential, often unwittingly, and have hidden 'upper limits' that we don't even realise are holding us back.
For me it reprised some real 'aha' moments, and reminded me of important things I'd forgotten once the book was back on the shelf. That's one of the reasons I like audiobooks: somehow it's easier to listen to them over and over and dip back in when I feel the need.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Awesome...MUST LISTEN

One of THE best books I've listened to. Great narrating, inspiring stories and brilliant life facts to put into practise. Thank you!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Just what I've been looking for

Hendricks put into words a phenomenon I had experienced throughout my adult life that I have never been able to describe until now. There are plenty of self development books that will tell you what steps to follow to be successful, but this is the only one I have found that teaches you how to overcome your aversion to taking those steps in the first place. Brilliantly written and wonderfully narrated.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This Book is Changing The Way I Behave

Learn about your upper limits and why you always seem to sabotage getting ahead. Find out what your genius level is and how to start operating on it.

I found myself nodding vigorously as Gay Hendricks described scenario after scenario of sabotaging behaviour. I could definitely relate.

This book is a must for everyone!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Take the leap!

Loved it, thought provoking and inspiring. Especially helpful for a trainee counsellor to hear his stories

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Interesting & thought provoking

This was recommended to me and I'm very happy to recommend it too. An easy listen - I like Gay's delivery - and with really interesting content and lots of helpful examples illustrating key points.

The Upper Limit concept is clearly defined and is one that will stick in my mind! Thank you.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Life changing

I really enjoy listening to an authors own voice explaining their ideas and how they came about. Gay is warm, intelligent, insightful and a great story teller.
This book was so good I'm starting to listen all over again.

Good luck in finding and living in your Zone of Genius!

Wow. Total life changer

I’ve heard before how good this book is, but WOW, i wasn’t expecting it to be quite as powerful as it turned out to be. Even before I’d finished listening the whole way through I was seeing major shifts in my life in terms of abundance and success. Gay Hendricks has created an invaluable guide to fulfilling your potential, living your genius and creating a life you love. Incredible.