Finding Your Efficiency Zone
Everyone one of us has an efficiency zone. That is the mental state
in which we find ourselves accomplishing a great deal at a rapid clip,
although it feels natural and comfortably paced. It is a state in which
our true productivity potential is released.
All of use has been in the efficiency zone at one time or another.
Perhaps we were reading in anticipation of a school test and found ourselves
completing and comprehending a book in record time. It could have been
while nailing shingles on a rooftop, developing a rhythm naturally and
doing a fine job at a fast clip without even realizing it.
If we could live in our efficiency zone all of the time, the world
would be more productive, television would suffer massive ratings shortfalls
and we would all be happier.
Unfortunately, we don’t always get access to that zone. Most
of the time, in fact, we are clearly operating far from outside of any
influence it might have. We spend our hours in different frames of mind,
most of the time, divorced from those sensations.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help find that zone
when you may really need it. The methods are not foolproof, but they
do offer the best hope of operating in that powerful state. Let’s
examine a few strategies you can use to find your efficiency zone.
First, take note of the circumstances that surrounding you immediately
before and after you hit the zone. By replicating them later, you stand
a better chance of finding that mental state again. The human being
is a creature of habit and is readily influenced by its surroundings.
You may notice that certain preparations or settings help you to slide
into this great time management/efficiency mode.
Second, push through when you aren’t in the zone. In many cases,
simply continuing to press onward with a task or project may eventually
lead you into the frame of mind in question. You may start the task
slowly and awkwardly, but as minutes pass, you may slowly transition
“into it.” Perseverance can land one in the zone.
Finally, ride the wave. These spells of absolute efficiency are rare
treats and should be maximized. If you begin to notice that you are
suddenly sailing along in your work, don’t take pause to think
about why or celebrate with a cup of coffee away from your work area.
Instead, continue on.
Those who interrupt their time in this powerful time management zone
often find themselves unable to recapture that same mental state again.
Don’t squander an opportunity. Use the feeling and its power when
it is made available to you.
Although working in the zone isn’t necessarily common, it is uniquely
valuable. It can supercharge your work efforts and dramatically decrease
the amount of time necessary to accomplish tasks. By trying to replicate
context, persevering and taking full advantages of opportunities when
they are present, finding and using your efficiency zone is much easier.
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