Overview of the Thinking Zone
The Thinking Zone captures how we are innately wired to think across all areas of life. It is designed to identify our innate thinking, not our learned behavior. It is our default setting, natural to us. It's an expression of who we are without spin or pretense.
Knowing our Thinking Zone can help us understand and impact all areas of life, such as:
- How we cook - or why we don't!
- How we organize our closet - or not
- Why we enjoy certain pastimes, hobbies, and activities over others
- Why we plan a vacation to the nth degree or just go where the wind takes us
- Why we work on a project one way - and why others approach it differently
- How we show up in a team, at a small gathering or volunteering opportunity, etc.
We may have learned to mimic other places on The Thinking Zone continuum. We may be able to pull this off briefly, for a season, or in certain environments. But, if it's not our natural Thinking Zone, it won’t feel natural and comfortable. A learned Thinking Zone will always take more energy, require more effort from us, and be of shorter duration for us than our natural Thinking Zone. This is why knowing and stepping more intentionally into our natural Thinking Zone is so life-giving and fulfilling.
There are two continuums on the Thinking Zone:
Processes Concretely or Conceptually
Those on the left side of the Thinking Zone tend to thrive in concrete and specific thinking, enjoying and employing useful facts and solid data. On the other hand, those on the right side of the Thinking Zone are best when they can dwell in conceptual or abstract thinking that flexes their imagination and creativity.
Starts Independently or Collaboratively
Those on the bottom of the Thinking Zone tend to start their thinking process from a place of independence after which they can then move (or be forced) into collaboration as needed. In contrast, those on the top begin their best thinking with others and then can move towards their own autonomous work as needed.
Each of us innately process life best from the vantage point of our particular Thinking Zone. To be at our best, we want to spend at least 70% of our time and energy in our Thinking Zone.
Knowing our Thinking Zone can help us understand why some jobs may be frustrating or boring for us, while others feel easy and fulfilling. If our role is not aligned with our Thinking Zone, we will experience frustration, disappointment, and burnout.
While understanding our Thinking Zone can positively impact our work, it can also give us insight into enjoyable activities and relationships - such as friendships, marriages, and parenting.
Each of the 7 different Thinking Zones is completely unique. And each is necessary and valued:
Detailers
Protectors
Supporters
Builders
Discoverers
Adventurers
Innovators
Knowing our Thinking Zone is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Figuring out your best fit vocationally - and how to best relate to others on The Thinking Zone - are some of the clues that help us answer the bigger questions of life.
Wouldn't it be great to know, really know, who you really are - your unique talents and other aspects of your high contribution zone - and to align them with your life purpose and vision? And, wouldn't it be deeply helpful and clarifying to align all these together and create an action plan to live your best life?
You are made for so much more . . .
We are expert guides who can lead you there.
As Life Strategy Guides, we are experienced in guiding thousands of people just like you to create a customized strategic plan for all areas of their life - in just a single day. The Thinking Zone is just one of many transformational tools that we use with our clients in a Life Strategy Session.
Just think:
- You can stop second-guessing yourself, your giftedness, and your purpose.
- You can stop wondering if you're in the right role or headed in the right direction.
- You can stop wasting valuable years, resources, finances, and energy spinning.
Instead, you can take confident steps, intentionally aligning all key areas of your life - personal, family, career, and community - and living out your unique giftedness, making your own contribution to the world.
