Cultivating the Zone

In the zone: usually we think of this state in terms of athletes, or creative artists: musicians, writers, dancers, poets.  Yet it’s not just for individuals, but for teams and groups as well; an example is the hyperproductive IT developer teams, mostly associated with XP and Agile practices.  Psychologists seem to prefer the term, “in the flow”, and that’s how you’ll find it in Wikipedia.

Think of it as an alignment of deep skills and a clear, achievable, meaningful task; a state of resonance between reality of the moment, the task to be accomplished, the skills brought to that situation, and an exceptional focus on that task.

It’s not just highly productive, or good solid work; it’s exceptional, out of the everyday mode of doing.

It’s never guaranteed; no sure recipes for entering into that state.  It cannot be forced.  But it can be encouraged and cultivated, nourished; allowed to happen.  Impediments to it identified and removed.

Some conditions probably necessary to achieve this state are:

  • The person or team is skilled in their field, perhaps deeply skilled.  A sense of mastery, pride in those skills, and some confidence in their use.
  • A bit redundant, that they have to enjoy what they’re doing.
  • The task is well defined, perceived as achievable, but challenging.
  • A high degree of focus and concentration; absorption in the task at hand.
  • This absorption can result in a feeling of being one with the task. The person becomes the work.
  • A feeling of fluidity, less difficulty than normal, performance seen notably above the usual.

How can we cultivate the conditions to help get into the Zone?  We, as individuals, as managers, team members, project managers, setting up an environment that allows this to happen:

  • Minimize distractions and encourage a sense of focus.  For some this means suitable music; for others, quiet; for some teams, something to impart energy. Perhaps a sign outside the team area, “Do not stick fingers in the cage.”
  • Make sure that tasks and goals are well defined and achievable. But don’t micro-manage.
  • Create an environment of minimal worries.  A sense of safety, isolation from threats.
  • Encourage a culture of mastery of the relevant skills, so that the basic tools are extensions of our thoughts. The thought effortlessly becomes the action towards the goal.

Don’t be concerned about rewarding this behavior: being in the zone, feeling that flow, is its own reward.




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