Can't Touch This: Bringing Yourself Back into "the Zone"

Have you ever felt like you were “in the zone?” Perhaps you were running a race, giving a talk or helping a neighbor.

If you’ve been “in the zone” before, you know that it represents that invincible moment when you know you are in the right place at the right time and you are performing at your best. When you are there, MC Hammer’s classic rap song “Can’t touch this”– or some other empowering equivalent - is playing in the background.

There is every reason to recreate the experience of being “in the zone” – in fact, you can and should summon the experience on a regular basis. You’re likely to experience less stress and more happiness when you are there.

Athletes, musicians, spiritual leaders and many others experience “the zone” – it describes a state of consciousness when we allow ourselves to be at our best. Higher levels of performance are possible when we are there.

For me, “the zone” represents a stretch of time when I get out of the way and allow things to flow with less thought and with unencumbered attention. When I am there, I feel connected, centered, invigorated, focused and present. I work faster, think faster and produce better results. When I am in the zone, I am a better parent, leader, friend and colleague – suddenly I don’t react to things with concern but, instead, react with wisdom. I listen more than I speak and I ask better questions when I’m there and I don’t take things as personally.

What are your “in the zone” experiences like? What are some words you would use to describe some of those moments when you have been there? What was your mindset? How did you feel? What were the results? Was there anything you did to get there – or did it just happen?

What brings you to “the zone?” Perhaps a song will take you there (I have a few that I listen to on the way to important meetings). Whatever it is that brings you there, find it. Invite it. Summon it.

Thinking in detail about your “in the zone” moments – can bring you back there. Write down some of the details so that you can easily summon it at any time. If you take 5 minutes to think about some of those moments now, you are likely to be in your zone for the rest of the day. Consider this an invitation to go there.

I hope that your visits to the Refreshment Zone support your intention to be “in the zone.” For me, it does have a double meaning – and I hope it does for you too.

Whatever it looks like and/or feels like, I challenge you to know your zone and go there.

© Kathy Sturgis, Ph.D. Kathy is founder of Refreshment Zone and is an organizational and personal development specialist with a doctorate in communication. Contact kathy@refreshmentzone.com for more information on motivational programs.