12 Steps To Get On Track: In The Zone With Brad Pitt

Recently I watched an interview with Brad Pitt. He struck me as being modest about his achievements and the media accolades being given to him, both as an actor and as a person. One line caught my attention. He described himself as being "in the zone" and "on track" in his life.

It got me thinking.

"Being in the zone" is a term used by professional athletes, sportspeople and dancers when they are demonstrating peak performance; high energy, effortless ease and accomplishment; experiencing well-being and natural joy. What would it be like to be in the zone? Is it possible for ordinary mortals? Would you want to be in the zone, if you could?

I like to think so.

Being in the zone is how you feel inside, being the human spirit that you are, as you go about fulfilling your life. Get right on the inside, and the outside will show up to match it. There has never been a better time for getting in the zone and on track, even and especially during these difficult times.

You may have no control of the circumstances around you. You can potentially choose how you respond to them; how you manage your thoughts and feelings; to enter the zone.

These 12 steps will take you in that direction:

1. Accept what is happening - Engage with your life as it is right now.
The temptation is to be angry and fight against injustices, resentful and blaming of those responsible. Instead, look for what you can do and get active with what is immediately in front of you. This will raise your energy and outlook.

2. Be real, and true to yourself - Keep your feet on the ground.
You are a magnificent being, worthy of all the good that can come to you. Honour yourself, bless yourself and keep taking the next step towards what you now want.

I recommend Dr Judith Rich's Rx for the Soul Series:

3. Focus on the present moment - Complete existing agreements.
Being in the zone is living now. Do not dwell in the past or daydream about the future. Take a deep breath - you can only take one at a time.

Fulfil agreements you have made; clear up the clutter; finish off projects that have been hanging around. Or simply declare them complete and let them go. When there is nothing holding you back, you can be fully here, now.

4. Mindful action - Turn routine tasks into meditation.
Joy can be found in taking the simplest action. When you give your full attention to an easy task, you can enjoy stillness and presence. Try it when you are sweeping a floor; cleaning the car; pulling up weeds; brushing the dog.

5. Be aware of your feelings - Learn to listen to your intuition.
Are you a human "doing"? Regain the innocence, or inner sense, of a young child by every so often, pausing to be in touch with how you feel.

Listen to yourself for when you need to take a break; to remove yourself from a situation that is not working for you; to talk to a friend you have not seen for ages. Your intuition is a hot line from within you to the world around you. Let it serve you.

"Self-trust is the first secret of success" --Ralph Waldo Emerson

6. Deal with your fears - Expand your creativity.
Fears distract you from your sense of well-being. Find out what the fear is about. Listen to what it is telling you. Use the energy of your fear to take action to resolve the issue. Develop new skills and talents.

Fear can stimulate your creativity and problem solving abilities. Fear is a friend that can open new doors for you. Mine has.

7. Connect with others - Create new networks.
You are never alone. There are others who would love to be your friend. How will you go and find them? In social networks, maybe, but what about a neighbour in a next door street?

8. Be open to receive - Be aware of new opportunities coming for you.
Opportunities may come to you through friends, a chance conversation overheard, a news item you read, an introduction, an idea that comes from "out of the blue". Keep an open mind. You never know what good may be awaiting you around the next corner.

"You can't shake hands with a clenched fist." --Indira Gandhi

9. Employ simple wisdom - You know more than you think you do.
A friend who owns a clothing and jewellery shop told me that her business had increased 45% over the last year. If she goes to work with a bad mood, she can never sell. She chooses to be happy. It helps her business.

10. Pace yourself - Allow time and space for joy, rest and recuperation.
Dr Cara Barker's words to Susan Boyle are inspiring. You know you are in the zone when you stop a moment to appreciate it.

"In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness". --Mahatma Gandhi

11. Look for blessings - Cultivate an attitude of gratitude.
This life is truly a blessing. Look for the good, and you will find it. Then more will come and find you.

Give yourself a gratitude break: take stock of 5 things you value now.

12. Give generously - Know yourself as a person who has more than enough
Give of your time, your money - even a little, your joy, talent, humour. Imagine yourself in a giving world - could be close to heaven.

Give - and you will be given more.

I welcome your comments and thoughts, either below here or by email: [e-mail]

You can receive notice of my blogs every Saturday by checking Become a Fan at the top.

Follow me on Twitter @Anne4Joy

Comments

[Eli Davidson - Huffpost Blogger]

Dearest Anne,
What an amazing post!!!

YOU are a demonstration of "living in the zone". Blessings to you!!!

Loving You,
Eli Davidson

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dearest Eli,

Thank you so much for your kind words. Very much appreciated - as indeed are you. always, all ways!

With love and blessings to you,
Anne

[James M. Lynch - Huffpost Blogger]

Anne,
There is so much in this article that it's a print, post, visit and re-visit piece! Each of these steps alone would improve a life -- as you mentioned about the woman who's business has increased -- and there are a dozen to go through. I'll gladly share this with all of my friends. Thank you!
James

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

James,

Thank you very much for your comment - and for sharing this post with friends. I really appreciate your kind words - and actions!

With love and blessings to you,
Anne

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello Anne,

So interesting that I come in right on the heels of Cara's comment. I too, just returned from a weekend away. I attended the most wonderful writing conference in San Francisco sponsored by CIIS, the California Institute of Integral Studies. It was on The Art of Wisdom Writing, with wonderful talk by Gay Hendricks last night.

Gay's new book, The Big Leap, talks about being in the "Zone of Genius", how to get there and operating more than 70% of the time there, with a commitment to living 100% of the time there.

So I LOVE what you offer here! It has such a ring of truth to it. But more than that, the one offering it is a voice of generosity, a big, spacious spirit! So lovely of you to mention my new blog. And Cara, too.

So let me just "toot the horn" for you my dear, because it's hard to toot it for ourselves and you're so good at tooting it for others.

I found a new "Zone" this weekend and a whole new group of others in that same zone. How delightful! Lest any of us think we've run out of ways to access the Zone, just take yourself to the edge of a new threshold and cross it.

You've inspired me to pick up this thread and write a post from wherever that leads me.

Much love and any blessings to you, dear Anne.......
Judith

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dearest Judith,

What a blessing to receive your comment - and thank you for the tooting! I so appreciate your insight and wisdom.

What you say about " just take yourself to the edge of a threshold and cross it" is truly inspiring to me. You do that! I observe with great interest how you are courageously moving forward into a whole new dimension and capacity of your spirit.

It is one thing to write as a neutral observer: it is another to commit yourself mind, body, soul and heart. You are leading a way here!

I am looking forward to reading your post this week.

Very best love and joy to you,
Anne

[Dr. Cara Barker - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Anne,

What a beautiful gift to open the HP and find your blog at the end of my Sunday! Today, on Puget Sound, was definately an 'in the zone' affair. Actually, when I trundled out the door to the ferry, I did so with fatigue in my system. Last night, my husband and I went to his Med. school reunion. Rather than a stuffy 'remember when' affair, I experienced the people there as present, grateful, and uplifting. One of the factors, I believe, of 'zoneness' has to do not only with primarily inner-directeness, but also, when we go out into the world, the community in which we place ourselves. Is it expanding? Is it appreciative of now? Is it open? Is it alive? And, what do we bring to the party?

Today was a lovely affirmation that being still, being present, letting there be room for 'zoneness' brings gems. I met with three different women and came away feeling that 'peace beyond understanding' that comes with the zone.

Much love to you, Anne. I'll be back the week of the 15th.
Cara

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dearest Sister Cara,

How lovely to see you here and read your comment. Thank you!

I am appreciating your take on zoneness. I love what you say about our "zonefull" connection in the world around us; how we participate and contribute; how we experience others, our community. There is a whole greater aspect of zoneness that I now understand as having to do with enriching ourselves and others. You have expanded my view.

And the peace! How very true and wise of you to observe the zone this way.

I feel more peace-full having read your comment.

Best love to you and have a glorious week,
Anne

[johnbkk]

Being in the zone refers ti a state of mind - being focused and unaware of your surroundings. It's about concentration, not peak athletic performance. It's a common metaphor used by artists, musicians, and programmers alike.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear johnbkk

Thank you for your comment. I agree with you, Being in the zone certainly refers to concentration and being focused. And it is available to anyone who chooses to go there.

Warm good wishes to you,
Anne

[LordMoon]

I already carry around Too many instructions on how I'm supposed to think and feel already.

So, instead I will just drop them all, and see what happens.

I know it's risky to be own your own, but hey. Without risk what point is there for any of this?

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear LordMoon

Sounds good to me. Be naturally who you are, is probably just the best.

Warm good wishes to you,
Anne

[Kari Henley - Huffpost Blogger]

Morning!
Great way to start the day. I also think the work of Flow State is so similar. Being fully present to whatever you are doing - whether it is at work or emptying the dishwasher, and finding activities that allow you to slip out of everyday awareness and into the place of engaging without effort.

Well done! We are on the same track this week as I wrote my column for today about how to ditch the keyboard and engage with the ones we love this month. Definitely a way to be in the Zone!
Great job
kari

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello Kari,

Thank you for stopping by! I am looking forward to reading your post this week. What is better than to engage with the ones we love. They are the treasures in our lives and deserve our best.

I very much appreciate your thoughtful words.

Have a brilliant week!

Love and blessings to you,
Anne

[Pseudocide]

I don't see what this list really has to do with Brad Pitt..but do you think he was "In The Zone" and "on the right track" when he was cheating on his wife with Angelina Jolie? Granted, a lot of guys would probably jump at that opportunity, but still.. he's no role model on how to live your life.

[bartonfink]

hey everybody! brad pitt's in the zone and on track!

I just knew it

[Glamorosa]

I noticed today as I was doing my tax return that I was totally focused and present. Normally it would take me hours to do this task, thats why I normally put it off till the last minute. Today as I observed myself in the process, I got into a rythmn and the task was completed quickly.

I must of been 'IN THE ZONE AND ON TARGET'.

Sitting in silence often assists me to move 'INTO THE ZONE'

BEING PRESENT ALLOWS THE INTUITIVE ME TO COME FORWARD.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Glamorosa

Thank you very much for your comment and insights. Being present is such a sweet skill - and possible for everyone. One of the best ways to enrich our lives I think.

Glorious Sunday blessings to you,
Anne

[frank1569]

And when, exactly, wasn't BP "in the zone" and "on track?" The day before "Thelma and Louise" was released?

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear frank1569

We would have to ask him. Being in the zone is something you would recognize for yourself.

Warmest good wishes to you,
Anne

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Anne- Great to tune into your compassionate and thoughtful blog

This is important and helpful info for everyone. If people could be more mindful and aware then the world would be a kinder place.

Deb and I just got back from your homeland - Deb is English and I am an English citizen - it was interesting how many of the MP's were so dishonest. They could sure use your tips.

Big Loves,

Ed

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Ed and Deb,

Thank you so much for your comment and thoughtful response. I appreciate the discipline you demonstrate in so many quiet ways to make our world a kinder place.

In our time of global upheaval and disorientation, your contribution to our finding new ways forward is so very valuable.

Love and blessings to you always, all ways,
Anne

[DiogenesOfAlaska]

'Pace yourself' - that's right.

I'm sure even Mr. No Sports Winston Churchill heeded that advice.

[Saidas]

Wow! You gleaned all of that from Brad's comment that he was "in the zone"? Remarkable!

[OtayPanky]

How about "hilarious"?

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you for your comment, Saidas. The interview made me think what it means to be "in the zone", so I did a little research on the subject. Brad Pitt dealt with the interview in a graceful way.

Blessings to you,
Anne

[BFare]

HA! Buuusted!! Re-read #8.