Dear Reader,

"Your genius is your problem," I told my mom when she found herself stuck in her all-too-familiar pattern of running around helping everyone else out while exhausting herself.

My mom's genius? She's insanely good at helping people (she even answers my calls when she's in therapy). It lights her up and ​makes her feel like she matters. But the thing is, she can get so swept up in rescuing others that she neglects herself.

You may relate—running yourself into the ground doing what you love. Or maybe you find yourself on the flip side–holding back, playing small, afraid of how powerful your genius energy can be.

The usual advice? "Just tone it down, don't care so much, stop being such a rescuer/people-pleaser/wild-child, ________ (fill in your genius here)." It's annoying when people tell you to stop ​using your strengths​.

Your genius energy—your unique spark and strengths—got you through difficult times and helped you build businesses, friendships, and families. It's your life force, your zest, and what makes you—you!

So, how do we use it to fuel something good instead of shying away from your genius or letting it burn you out?

On the Wise Effort Show, we've been exploring how to channel your energy more sustainably. Jo Confino and I sat under the ​Great Bell Tower at Plum Village Monastery​ to discuss leading from the middle, back, and front and escaping the trap of endless striving.

Over a cup of tea in a French chateau, Stephen Batchelor (a genius at translating Buddhist texts) and I discussed how to embrace life, slow our reactivity, and live ethically from our hearts.

And you won't want to miss another conversation with my friend Sonya Looney, the world-champion mountain biker who balances raising two kids, getting her degree in positive psychology, and crushing it on the trails. We talk about transforming perfectionism into social contribution—now that's wise effort.

In my latest episode, we looked to ​nature's genius​ for answers. Dr. Dayna Baumeister, co-founder of Biomimicry 3.8, shares with us what nature teaches us: how to adapt to stress, trust, communicate, and die peacefully.

Yes, your genius makes you unique, but it's also what makes us similar. We all have a powerful life force that can create a better world ​when used wisely​.

Your genius is your problem, but really, your genius is your power.

Dr. Diana Hill Your Psychological Flexibility Guide

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