✳️ BEING IN *THE ZONE* ✨

✳️ THE ZONE ✳️

What does your ZONE look/feel like?  

What zone, you might ask . . .?

Well, we're talking about that special zone all high achievers go to when performing at their optimal. It's tough to describe, but it's a bit like a suspension of being, like an out-of-body experience, almost like entering into a parallel universe.

While in the zone, you can indeed become an entirely different persona. Public speakers are intensely aware of their public and that they are performing, but interestingly enough, later, may not recall exactly what they said! Has that ever happened to you?

I know it has to me!  After a big dog-and-pony show, as we were boarding the plane home, a colleague came up to me and said "your speech was the most popular, what did you say?" And, can you believe, I honestly, could not remember!! I know I talked about competitiveness, but I'd have to hear the recording made of my speech to recall exactly what I said!

Indeed, I've often had the experience, that when I arrive at any given fora, I'm rather constrained, almost shy - and can appear low-energy. I've read many a worried look in many eyes, that says "oh dear! I hope this goes well, because she does appear to be rather reserved. . ." 

And then, I'm presented. I enter the ZONE. Gone is the reserve. All of a sudden there is a super dynamic, charismatic, enthusiastic (if I may say so myself! actually, not being immodest, others have said it) speaker connecting with her audience and thoroughly enjoying what she is doing. When it's done, the same worried eyes all of a sudden, not only look immensely relieved, but also like: what happened? WOW!

Well, actually no mystery: I am always thoroughly prepared on my subjects - not just as a matter of being prepared for any given speech, but on a daily basis I am constantly updating my knowledge. 

For any particular speech, if I need to do some extra research, I will do so; then I organize my thoughts in my mind, and sometimes, write a brief outline of key points. In the rare instance, I may prepare some slides to assist as visual aids with pertinent pictures or graphs (mostly because some organizers want people to have something to take home from the event, because once I get going, I get going and I forget about the slides!).

I've also tried to rest the day before, get a good night's sleep, and if appropriate, will have had a good breakfast, replete of proteins and some carbos.

And as for my original apparent reserve, it's more a matter of saving up the energy for the presentation, so when the time comes, I can turn it on.

I LOVE being in the ZONE - how about you? What does your zone look/feel like?

Cheers! ✳️