Most people will have heard of a concept called “The Zone”, perhaps even said something along the lines of “Don’t bother me, I’m in the zone” while writing. It’s not an uncommon idea, however I have a special love for it and watching it happen in creative contexts, primarily music. I am many things, but one thing I love is composing music. There is something so exciting, as with any creative endeavor, about creating a piece of music that you are proud of. But sometimes, something amazing and exceptionally exciting happens. Sometimes it feels as though you are not writing the music, rather it feels as though you are discovering it.

I describe “The Zone” as being: a state where the flow of creativity surpasses the effort required to use it.

So what is it?

Several days ago, I heard a song in my head. This happens often, I nearly always have some sort of music in my head. This time, though not unique, was special. I immediately went to my computer and began attempting to bring this song I could hear so clearly in my mind’s ear to life. I added a chord progression (one I’m particularly proud of), then played it back. When playing it back, I heard something in my head along side the chords that I had not yet written. I then worked to add what I heard into the song, and it fit perfectly. This happened over and over again during the production of that song, until what I had created seemed less like I had written it and more like I had transcribed a song that had already been written, piece by piece. This experience is what I describe “The Zone” as being: a state where the flow of creativity surpasses the effort required to use it. When in “The Zone”, it feels as though you are a zero-resistance conduit for your ideas and you are easily able to transform them into whatever you are creating. This can happen with writing, music, coding, design, art, or anything where you are creating.

How to get in The Zone

Now that I have explained what “The Zone” is, how does one get in it? The answer is quite simple: I don’t know. “The Zone” is something that requires a variety of ever-changing parameters to enter, and in my own experience happens somewhat randomly. That being said, there are a few things I see as requirements for it, as well as things I do to be ready when it does happen. First, the requirements.


In order to get in the Zone, you have to have a motive for creating. There are obviously as many motives as there are people, so this can vary from wanting to get an ‘A’ to being relaxed by creating to simply enjoying creating. As long as there is a motive, whatever it may be, you have a reason to create. A lack of a strong enough motive causes the inability to get to the “The Zone”. An good example of this is my own tendency to procrastinate. My assignments are always due on Sunday nights at 11:59 P.M., and, though it is a good idea to work on them throughout the week, I always wait until Sunday night to start them. My motive, the fear of turning an assignment in late, is inversely proportional to amount of time I have left to complete an assignment. If I have a long time before it has to be completed, that motive is not strong enough for me to begin working. If I have 2 hours until it is due, I am able to get in “The Zone” and complete it before the deadline. This however, sometimes does not happen and leads to me turning in my assignment late. You cannot rely on this state, because it has other factors that effect it, too. The only way to access this state is to be ready for it.

Be ready

Because “The Zone” is an extremely productive state, you will want to be ready for when you have an idea that triggers it. Here are some things I do to be ready for it:

  1. Always have a way to write notes. Whether it be your smartphone, tablet, pen and paper, or Etch-A-Sketch, a way to jot down your ideas quickly is important to retaining any creative sparks you may have when you are not able to act upon them.
  2. Keep your tools within arms reach. If you have the ability to immediately begin creating when you have an idea, you will always be able to get in “The Zone” when you do. I am usually a few seconds away from all of my tools, so that I never have to break the flow of creativity that has started and I can just sit down and start working.
  3. Take breaks. When you are working and start to feel like you are moving out of “The Zone”, take a break. If you keep working, you will only get fatigued about the work you are doing and lose your ability to get back in “The Zone” until that fatigue is gone.

Being creative is my favorite thing in the world, no matter what the medium is. In order to tend and grow that creativity, you can keep tools near to be ready for any ideas you may have.