Being ‘In the Zone’
May 20, 2010For the past couple of weeks I have had a stream of typing work and, unusually, a large part of it has been copy typing rather than the audio typing that makes up quite a significant proportion of my regular work. I have noticed that when I am typing my brain seems to switch into an almost meditative state as I’m transferring the words onto my computer screen.
My initial reaction would be to say that I am ‘in the zone’ or ‘experiencing flow’, although I’d question whether I have the necessary joy and rapture required for that definition by Wikipedia, but it is certainly a positive feeling.
Wikipedia goes on to state that there are three necessary conditions to obtain flow. You must have:
- A clear set of goals;
- Confidence that the task can be achieved;
- Immediate feedback from the task in hand to gauge progress.
Looking at these, it becomes apparent why flow is a positive experience, but how often are those criteria not met in the work that we undertake? Do you set out clear goals at the start of a project to at least get started, even if the requirements later change? Do you have a system for giving and receiving feedback? I will be the first to admit that I don’t always manage to achieve these, but will certainly be making more of an effort in future.
So what about you? Do you get into the zone and, if so, what activities do it for you?
‘flow’ is exactly the concept I use to describe why I enjoy teaching antenatal classes so much. I have very clear goals (or, aims and learning outcomes, in our own terminology); I am confident enough not to have to worry I won’t achieve these; and I get continual feedback during the class by reflecting on the process as I go along, as well as feedback from clients afterwards.
I came across the idea in Making Happy People by Paul Martin, and he also described a sense of being outside yourself, or lack of self-consciousness.
Hi Karen, nice article. Have you read the book Flow: The Classic Work on How to Achieve Happiness by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi? It talks about how productive we are without even considering it when we find that sweet spot.
Hi Gareth. I saw Csikszentmihalyi referenced but haven’t got round to tracking down the book yet. Sounds like it could be useful reading material though.
Hi Karen
It’s definitely worth checking out. It can be hard going in places but well worth it for the insight it brings.