With any team, while your differences bring true creativity and problem-solving, it is good to have things in common as well. For CommonThread, one of the passions that we all share is participation in triathlons. Of course, triathlons take training and preparation, which brings me to an observation I had the other day while on one of my long runs (as I prepare for the Florida Ironman 70.3 in May).
Climbing the Hill
In quite consistent fashion, I have noticed that it takes a solid 2-3 miles of running to get my body in “the zone” for going long distances. Up to that point, it seems like a fight to maintain pace and maintain determination for what I am trying to accomplish. In simple terms, I have to force myself to get to that point without stopping…what I refer to as “climbing the hill”. I have heard others describe it as a wall, but I see it much more as a steady climb that finally arrives at a place of better performance.
The Zone in Development
Similar to running, I think that getting into “the zone” when developing is not some mystical happenstance. I think it requires good planning and a solid effort to maintain focus when there is such a strong desire to occupy yourself with non-important tasks, such as: checking email, twittering, reading blogs, checking the web, etc. While there is time for that, it is those activities that seem quite beneficial when you are making the effort to get to that place of happy, effortless development.
How I Do It
As I noted above, the most important thing is to take the time to lay out something you want to accomplish and place it in a format that you can look upon often. This will always give you an answer to that question of “Hmm…what should I be doing.” Secondly, make a conscientious effort to turn off distractions for a while. Pick out some good music that doesn’t require your attention at the end of each song, close down twitter and email, and begin the process of climbing the hill. It takes effort on your part to get there and your initial desires will be to break out and look at irrelevant information. But, after 5-10 minutes of effort to maintain focus, the zone will begin to establish itself and you will find yourself immersed in what you need to get done.
Final Thoughts
The zone, while it sounds completely cliche´, is really where some of your best work emerges. Superficial work that you complete while stretched thin in a world of constant interruptions, is generally average and will require additional attention in the future. The zone is important…climb the hill…make the effort to get there.