| In the flow, in a grove, on a roll, in the zone - whatever you call it, it's all defining one thing. It's that special feeling of playing like you can do no wrong and everything goes your way. You are so involved in what you are doing that nothing else seems to matter. When former Boston Celtic star Bill Russell characterizes being in the zone he says it is, "a moment when everything goes so perfectly that you slip into a gear that you didn't even know was there".
Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to happen enough of the time. In fact, every time it does happen, it is usually by chance; you took no real active part in it. It just happened to be a day when everything fell into place, clicked for you, and you were "in the zone." Hopefully this occurrence will motivate you to do everything you can to have more peak performances.
Since this is where we want to be - performing at a peak level more times than not, and not just by chance, you need to realize that you have control over whether this happens once in a career or more often. Baseball player Gary Carter describes it this way, "I think I could come to home plate, stand on my head, and still get a hit when I'm feeling like this". That sense of invincibility is vital because that complete confidence is what makes your body relaxed and your mind clear so that you can be in the flow.
By implementing mental training skills, having a strong work ethic and being motivated to constantly improve, you can increase the chances of this transpiring on a more consistent basis. Being in the zone means doing more than anyone else thought possible, even superseding your own expectations at times. This zone is the definitive reason why many people are motivated to participate in sports.
Think about a time when you were in the zone. It's the time when everything came together for you - it was exactly the kind of performance that you'd like to repeat over and over again. There was just a flow from beginning to end. "I'm in this quiet zone, I don't hear anything, and it enables me to use my inner peace and strength to go out and play," says former San Francisco 49er Defensive Back Marquez Pope.
Peak performers have a strong sense of mission, enjoy the challenge, have the ability to stay focused on the goals and have unwavering confidence in themselves. What sets them apart is their burning commitment to themselves, their teammates and their goals. Peak performers in any arena, business or sports, are devoted to doing the best job possible.
Whether you're the one playing in the zone, or watching another athlete or team, you'll notice these characteristics are usually present:
Relaxed - The days of getting psyched up to play are over, the best performances occur when you are just slightly above your normal state of arousal, not at either extreme as once thought. You are energized, yet relaxed - it's a subtle balance of quiet intensity. Your mind is calm and your body is ready to go. You feel relaxed, but you are able to move with great strength and ease.
Confident - You feel confident that no matter what you are up against, you're going to come out on top. You just exude with confidence and pride, and it's evident in your performance. There is no fear. You expect to be successful, not hope or wish to be successful. You have complete faith in your abilities.
Completely focused - You are totally absorbed in the moment. You have no memory of the past and no qualms about the future. The only thing you are concentrating on is the task at hand. You're oblivious to everything else going on around you, consumed by the moment, and nothing outside can effect you. You have no real sense of time, and before you know it, the game is over. It seems to have flown by, yet everything you did seemed to happen in a slowed-down pace with great precision and concentration. Having the ability to stay in the moment is a gift that all of peak performers have.
Effortless - Things just sort of happen with little or no effort whatsoever. You are in a state of mind and body where you can accomplish great things with little effort. The grace and ease that you display make everything you do seem like the simplest task in the world. You have a sense of finesse and grace, even when the task is very grueling and demanding.
Automatic - There is no interference from your thoughts or emotions. Things are just happening, both without protest and without consent. You are on auto pilot - just reacting to whatever comes your way. Your body just seems to know what to do without any directive from you. There is no conscious thought; you're going strictly on your instincts.
Fun - When you're in the flow, the enjoyment is incomparable to anything else. Anyone can see in your eyes the satisfaction and fulfillment the sport gives you. This is a key factor because if you don't enjoy your sport, your future in it will be limited.
In Control - You feel that no matter what, you are in control. What you think and want to happen will. You have ultimate command over your emotions as well - you are controlling them, not the other way around. You govern your own destiny. When you feel this strong of a command over your game, great things are sure to happen.
To be successful in sports you need to have your mind and body working with one another in perfect unison. If you are able to do this then you will experience the characteristics above and you too will be playing "in the zone."
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