The Zone

When an athlete is making every move count and no one seems able to stop them, we say they are “in the Zone.” They are focused, all cylinders are firing perfectly, distractions don’t, and productivity is at a max. What is most interesting about ‘the Zone’ is that it is usually temporary, often in both time and space. The better and more a person can keep themselves in the Zone, the more rewarding it is.

Training and discipline seem to be two keys for maximizing that, but there are factors unique to each person that affect where and when and how they get into the Zone. I have discovered that for me, I tend to need a set of fairly well defined tasks whose progress is easily measured. I tend to find the Zone most easily in my office on campus after 5 or 6 p.m. When in the Zone, I can keep the pace up often for 6-8 hours or more. The downside is that it is rather late when I call it quits and I’m rather tuckered out at the end, but I got a lot done in that time.

Often is the time I wish that my Zone occurred after 5 or 6 am and still continued for 6-8 hours. I don’t know why I focus better in the evening. If I’m at home at that time, I want to unwind and kick back. It needs to be in my office. But knowing this about myself, I can plan accordingly.

When and where is your Zone? How have you been able to expand or change it to suit your needs?

SDG

Inspiration and Discipline

Sometimes it is a real challenge to come up with something pithy every day. One thing I have heard from many book authors is that they have a discipline of writing every day, even if it is not on topic for a book. The discipline keeps the craft honed. But does the frequent dipping into the well of creativity drain it or prime it? Both, I think, at different times, but ultimately the discipline forces us to reach deeper into the well for new sources of inspiration.

 When the well overflows, I write multiple posts to save for a rainy day, or at least I keep a list of topics I think of when I do run dry. But I try not to use them and instead force myself to find something fresh.

It seems research can be that way too. Yes, there are plenty of problems to study, but what grabs you and what are you able to pursue and what can you get a grant for? Where do you go for inspiration in teaching, research, ministry, keeping relationships alive and well, in life itself?

SDG