I'm grateful for the zone. The elusive place where performance flows without effort. Easy to imagine but so difficult to find.
The zone is commonly referred to in terms of athletic performance but any of us can find the zone while engaged in any activity. If you want to see an athlete in the zone, check out the documentary Free Solo. It is the story of professional rock climber Alex Hannold's quest to become the first person to climb legendary Yosemite rock face El Capitan by himself without ropes. The film documents his journey to find the zone so he can take on the rock face with laser focus and precise climbing. He does this by spending two years learning every hand and toe hold on his planned route and rehearsing each move over and over again.
That is the secret of the zone - preparation and focus. I can't find the zone every day but I can dedicate time to writing and music, honing my craft to the point where the zone becomes more easily accessible.
The zone is available to anyone doing any activity. Practice your craft, rehearse your performance, then just get our of your own way and let it happen. I'm grateful for the moments when it does.