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Advice / Succeeding at Work / Productivity

9 Tips for Getting in the Zone When You’re Just Not Feeling It

We’ve all had days when we’ve woken up, gone to work, and immediately thought, “Wow, I absolutely cannot get my head in the game today.” You’d probably love to just head back home and spend the rest of the day watching a House of Cards marathon, but that’s not really a viable option for most people.

So, how do you get in the zone when you’re feeling totally out of it? Below are nine super-useful resources to help you get motivated and focused in a jiffy.

  1. What does it even mean to get in the zone? It turns out that your brain is doing something totally different when you’re really on your game. (Fast Company)
  2. In other words, getting in the zone isn’t about increasing willpower; it’s about balancing stillpower. (99U)
  3. Sometimes the trick to getting your head in the game is being more emotional about the work that you’re doing. (Harvard Business Review)
  4. Another daunting part of getting focused is feeling like you need to dedicate all of your attention to a very difficult task. By breaking down this myth, you’ll find yourself much more engaged. (Officevibe)
  5. Avoiding disctractions is a huge part of getting focused. But this is a lot easier said than done. (ThoughtStuff)
  6. Perhaps all you need is a really inspirational playlist to get your mind re-engaged. (Mashable)
  7. It may seem strange, but chewing gum can actually help you become more alert by increasing various areas of cognition in the brain. (Futurity)
  8. Even if you’re working in a cubicle, creating a connection between your body and your mind is crucial for gaining focus. (Forbes)
  9. A fun little tool called Coffitivity could be all you need to get to that perfect state of mind. (The Daily Muse)