Last week, I posted about how I get into the optimal productivity state of The Zone. A few of the comments contained some powerful tips we can use for a zone happy work day too.
The first two come from Mike Tee
A looming deadline works well too
Another thing I found useful myself, esp for web workers is to work offline, without an Internet distraction. Even the smallest interruptions such as checking an email or responding to an IM can break the “zone concentration”.
Of Mike’s tips, I like the working offline best.
Working online always presents me with an opportunity to do something other than my work. Answering an IM or e-Mail. Googling the price on some new gadget… Having the latest Flash, Ajax, Shockwave gadget blinking in the background. These all interfere with The Zone. Getting off the network prevents the interruptions to begin with.
Additionally, being offline can lead to quicker work. There isn’t that gremlin in the back of your mind thinking about online adventures. Or at least he’s quieted a bit.
Richard writes:
I also find that different times of day make entering “the zone” easier or harder. For example, for me, the first few hours after I get up are my most productive of all so this is the time I try to do my most important work.
I typically get up, head out for a run (helps to oxygenate my brain and boosts the results even further!) then I get home and start writing.
Emails, blog updates and all the other smaller stuff has to wait for a couple of hours until the biggest stuff is done.
Interestingly, different people seems to work best at different times so I would strongly suggest trying to get into the zone at various times of the day (or night!) to see what works best for you.
Finding your ideal time is one of the tips I’d rank at the top. For morning people, trying to get in the zone right after lunch will be a train wreck waiting to happen. It’s better to find the zone time right for you. Think of a time in the past when you were in the zone. What time of day was it? Is it consistent with other days and times you’ve been in the zone? If so, that’s probably your optimal time.
If you have any more you’d like to add click the comment button below and post away!
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Getting INTO the zone can be the career breaking moment. Great post. I found that my zone was directly related to how much I enjoyed the evening prior, so I choose my activities of the evening carefully to ensure productivity.
I work offline a lot too. But most of the time I take it a step further. I get most of my work done while people are still asleep (before sunrise)… no ringing phones, voice mail, or people at the door. There’s not a lot of ambient noise so it’s very easy to keep “in the zone”.
By the time most people get to the office I would have already done 3 or 4 hours worth of work. It makes me feel extremely productive.
If you’re a morning person, I suggest you try it sometime.