Here’s a trick I’ve learned from time spent both producing or coaching for other creators, and creating myself with the help of others.

Being “In The Zone” or “In Flow” or “Plugged In” is a very specific mental state— your critical thinking is turned off, and you’re doing what you’re good at— all parts of your brain are of allied purpose.

Interacting with a person in such a state is a very specific art, because usually, you’re there working with them in order to help them acheive a larger goal. And usually, since you’re not in Flow, the asset you bring is critical thinking and distance you can add to their perspective.

The problem is, since you can see a better solution, if you present it to them, you pull them out of state— like jerking a needle from a record.

The most important thing is not to activate their critical thinking, their social filter, because it takes 10-15 minutes to turn back off, and the goal is for them to achieve consecutive hours in ‘flow’ state to build up to the point where, after a few hours of acceleration, they can do really excellent work.

I see this happen all the time:

Someone is trying to solve a puzzle, and someone is watching them, and sees the solution to the step they’re up to. So the Helper tells the Solver, and the Solver gets through that stage of the puzzle, but is suddenly and inexplicably unable to continue.

So- Here is the simple formula for talking to someone who is doing engaged work:

“[Name]?”

“Yes/Not now.”

If they say “Yes,” say, “Can I suggest an idea/Ask you a question?”

If they say “Not now” to that, or to asking their name, wait.

This allows the terms of their ATTENTION to remain under their control.

In social settings, our attention is presumed to be given— we are in a kind of socialist world, attention-commerce-wise. But when doing work, the opposite is required: attention is a prized resource— indeed, our property— and we must be respectful of one another’s property if we wish to accomplish anything great.

(In general, viewing “Attention” as an actual finite resource, a property, is a useful frame of mind for dealing with creators and people who are working— selves included.)