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> Being in the zone is like getting an adrenaline rush

Really disagree here, I find it's the total opposite more like a serenity and calmness. I also can get into it easily enough if I sit down with a plan of action and am not just writing code blindly and getting frustrated. If I find I can't enter the 'zone', it's usually because of some distraction (meeting coming up, feeling ill, not happy with the work, noisy open office work environment etc).

> if you do it too often you'll quickly drain out and not enjoy it as you used to.

Somewhat agree, but I think you mean here that you spend too much time in front of the PC and not enough time tending to your other needs? In which case I definitely agree; I notice a marked increase in productivity if I make sure to exercise routinely in my week, go on social events etc




I find been in the zone feels a lot like a less intense version of the feeling I get after a really good nights sleep or after a getting back from a hard bike ride and having a shower, it's just a general feeling of wellness.

I also find the zone happens a lot less often doing web dev than it ever did when I did desktop development, the constant scope switches combined with a massive surface means I drop out a lot more often.


Yeah instant context switching is a real nightmare for the brain, I find it far easier to get up for ~20 minutes after finshing a task and go outside, before returning and getting on with the next task with my now hopefully clear mind.


That wasn't the comparison to andrenaline though; rather, that both 'zones' are states that you may consciously place yourself into.




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