Zone In

This writing is Certified Human

“The more relaxed you are the better you are in all areas. The better you are with your loved ones. The better you are with your enemies. The better you are in your job” — Bill Murray 

The Obstacle

Challenges are coming
Difficulties will arise
Conflict is inevitable.

We mostly know what our days hold
They are predictable
On repeat
We shouldn’t be surprised by the things that set us off.

The same things frustrate
Annoy
Anger
Stress us.

Year in
Year out.

We continue to put ourselves
In these positions
Then act surprised when it happens again.

The same arguments
Tension
Emotions
Reactions

The same people
Struggles
And outcomes.

The Gift And Opportunity

Most of our days are predictable
Similar patterns
Responsibilities
Stressors
Obligations
Family life
Work
Struggles
Stressors.

We mostly know what’s coming
From who
And when.

We can predict the situations
People
And circumstances.

Since we know this
We can prepare.

We can zone in
Before or while it happens.

Get out of our head
Into the body
Creating time and distance
To focus
And choose our words and actions.

Take a few breaths
Concentrate on a visual
Feel an object
Listen for something unnoticed. 

Use this to create a delay
To focus in and choose.

The Practice Of Self-Mastery

• Predictable stressors

• Get out of the head and into the body

• Zone in before reacting

• Choose to respond and not react

CHEAT CODE: PREDICT → ZONE IN → CHOOSE → RESPOND NOT REACT

Why

I watch myself and others repeat patterns.

We struggle with the same people and things
On repeat.

In situations where we should be loose and performing
We are tense and reacting.

I see it with the kids playing baseball on my team
How they practice is not how they play.

Game time they feel pressure at bat, on the mound, and in the field.

Their opponents look different than their teammates
They hear criticism from their parents in the stands.

They get become trapped in their heads
Try to perform and they change
Focus scattered instead of zoning in.

When they zone in they slow down, become present, and simply play.