subject: Discovering Our Achievement Zone [print this page] We can get more done in less time and maximize our potential by discovering our achievement zone. "Zoning" means being zeroed in or focusing on a task that we become oblivious to distraction. The ability to devote attention to a task can produce success in any field. Here are some "suggestions" to improve our "focusing ability":
1. Practice & Practice: The key to focusing is to learn to overcome "noise & interference'.
2. Follow a Ritual: We must follow a routine / habit at work as it improves our focusing ability. The ritual activity recalibrates our mind.
3. Invent Challenges: The perfect state of flow or zoning occurs when our skills exactly measure up to the challenges confronting us. The way to get a dull but simple job done easily is to make it harder. Turn a boring task into a challenging game.
4. Talk to Ourselves: Self-talk can serve as a "white noise"____ taking our mind off distracting stimuli. The benefits of talking to yourself is as exotic as walking to barefoot on red-hot coals.
5. Forget Tomorrow: Pre occupation with out comes makes us mind less. When we let our thoughts drift to the future___________ we go right out of our zone and take our concentration with us. To keep in our zone----stay zeroed in on the here & now.
6. Interrupt Ourselves: Some times a short break can easily help us get a job done faster. When stress threatens our concentration, we must take a deep breath and picture ourselves in a calm environment.
