Just as racehorses wear blinders to maintain their focus on the track ahead, unfazed by the distractions around them, software engineers often need to metaphorically don their blinders.
This focused mindset enables them to enter ‘the zone’ — a state of intense concentration and creativity where they can navigate complex tasks with heightened clarity and efficiency.
Each person’s journey to finding the zone varies greatly. It often involves a mix of personal rituals, environmental adjustments and mental strategies. For some, it could be as simple as a specific playlist or a particular type of tea, while for others, it might involve intricate scheduling or workspace organization.
The common thread, however, is pursuing a mindset that allows for deep, uninterrupted focus, enabling one to navigate complex problems more effectively and creatively.
In software development, where challenges range from coding intricacies to large-scale system design, entering this state of heightened productivity is not only beneficial but necessary. Developers often find themselves at the intersection of logic and creativity, where the right balance can lead to exceptional outcomes. The ability to zone in can determine the difference between an ordinary solution and an innovative breakthrough.
Engineers at EnergyCAP, Tortuga AgTech and FirstBank offered a glimpse into the diverse ways one can attain and harness the power of the zone.
EnergyCAP, an energy and sustainability ERP in business for over 40 years, transforms how institutions manage and understand their energy usage, offering solutions to streamline accounting, reduce resource consumption and drive sustainable operations.
What are the circumstances in which you do your best work?
There are a few factors that I’ve found are key to producing my best work: reliable tech that is configured to my workflow, an organized workspace and open lines of communication with my team members, leadership and other stakeholders.
For example, I map custom shortcuts to my keyboard to manage different aspects of my workflow, especially categorizing and processing emails. I use custom rules in Outlook and aim to process emails daily with an approach similar to “Inbox Zero” to keep communication flowing. I also have a system of digital notes that I use routinely. For me to feel fully present in my work, organization comes first.
How do you structure your day or workspace to best facilitate getting into “the zone” or a “flow state”? Do you have rituals, tools or methods that help you access a creative mindset?
First and foremost, I recommend a bowl of matcha and a great playlist.
On a more serious note, I’ve found that there is a careful balance to maintain between staying adaptable and yet being intentional with your time. In the past, I’ve experimented with setting blocks of generic “focus time,” but I found that I prefer to keep my calendar as open as possible so that I can stay flexible when meetings need to be scheduled. When I do block off focus time, it’s typically for something specific and high-priority.
Lastly, I make an effort to invite calm into my workspace — minimizing distractions when it is time to focus, managing notification settings and keeping my workspace clean and tidy. Although I like to have personal touches at my desk, I use some elements of the 5S methodology to organize and maintain my workspace. I also like to keep my perspective “refreshed” by setting my desktop background to cycle through a collection of nature photography every 30 minutes so that I’m always looking at a new view.
I make an effort to invite calm into my workspace … I use some elements of the 5S methodology to organize and maintain my space.”
What recommendations do you have for engineers trying to find what works to help them do their best work?
Invest time in building a workflow and organization strategy that works for you — it will make everything else easier in the future. I’ve learned tips and tricks from different team members, mentors and leaders over the years, and I adapted aspects of what they recommend to create something that works for me and gives the control and flexibility I need to manage my work.
One other resource that I’ve found helpful is the idea of approaching a creative process in four phases — clarify, ideate, develop and implement — and being intentional about carving out time for each phase. You and the people you work with may have different strengths and inclinations toward one stage over another, and being mindful of which phase you are in helps to set clear expectations and drive focus.
FirstBank is Colorado’s largest locally owned bank. The company and its over 400 tech professionals aim to positively impact customers, communities and employees by prioritizing “banking for good.”
What are the circumstances in which you do your best work?
I do my best work when there are set goals and deadlines, and I am in a fast-paced environment. I like having the challenge of meeting deadlines and goals, being a part of a team and delivering value.
Being in a challenging environment pushes me to be the best I can be and keeps me engaged. I like having some pressure to perform and having people count on me and not let them down.
Being on a team that prioritizes accountability and reliability helps us be successful and empowers all team members to be the best they can be. We make each other better, and you get the satisfaction of delivering value to your team.
We are fortunate to have a hybrid schedule, and I think that a healthy mix of work from home and in the office each week helps me do my best work. Being in the office to brainstorm and collaborate with team members is valuable. I also like building interpersonal relationships with my teammates that I can’t get in a virtual environment. However, working from home can limit distractions or interruptions and allow me to get “heads down” work and get in a rhythm or “the zone.”
How do you structure your day or workspace to best facilitate getting into “the zone” or a “flow state”? Do you have rituals, tools or methods that help you access a creative mindset?
I usually start by looking at my calendar and meetings and plan my work around those. If I have longer gaps between meetings, I usually do my development work during those times as I can get into the zone, focus and make good progress. If I have meetings that have a quick turnaround between them, I take that time to handle administrative tasks such as following up on cards, checking emails and so on. I usually listen to music while I am developing, as it helps me focus by not letting my mind wander. I also try to think about what I am tasked to do instead of just jumping into coding.
I think the most important thing is to have a positive attitude about something regardless of the circumstance. Work can be stressful, and things can happen out of your control, but your attitude is the one thing that is in your control, and having a good attitude can keep you in a creative mindset and focused on the task at hand.
If I am stuck on something and need some creativity, I like to take a break and take a quick walk, or if it's lunchtime, I go to the gym. It seems unintuitive, but sometimes, putting something down and walking away from it or even sleeping on it can help you get to an “aha!” moment.
It seems unintuitive, but sometimes, putting something down and walking away from it can help you get to an ‘aha!’ moment.”
What recommendations do you have for engineers trying to find what works to help them do their best work?
I think that I would recommend researching, trying different things and experimenting. One of the benefits of the information age we live in is that we have access to so many resources, either online or in person. I think having S.M.A.R.T. goals is a great place to start, as well as being agile. Our industry, tools and patterns are constantly changing, and I think we should too.
There have been quite a few resources and tools that helped me do creative work. Working with a large group of developers from diverse development backgrounds has been extremely valuable. I always try to bounce ideas off of other developers or even just listen in when they talk about something they are working on.
I also like to teach or explain something any chance I get. I once was told that if you can teach or explain something, it shows a true understanding.
I have also taken a few classes on software architecture and design that have been helpful in thinking about designing and visualizing the problems and solutions before working on them. When I start a project by jumping into coding instead of design, I often code myself into a corner I didn’t see coming.
Tortuga AgTech’s agricultural robots, designed to perform essential services, are at the heart of its mission to revolutionize farming with sustainable, affordable and profitable practices.
What are the circumstances in which you do your best work?
How I perceive the work involved, my level of preparation and my ability to focus all impact the quality of my work.
I work best when challenged and know that the project or problem is important. It helps when the problem is technically engaging. This is one of the reasons I gravitated towards Tortuga. Developing robots to autonomously harvest delicate fruit in all sorts of conditions at scale without breaking the bank is highly engaging. It’s not just the development work; other areas where I know I can make a difference, like hiring and testing, are rewarding.
I work best when challenged and know that the project or problem is important.”
The amount of preparation I have makes a big difference in the outcome. In developing software, I often try to look for good examples of design patterns and prototype several before settling on an implementation. Often, this involves developing tooling and tests along the way. Carving out time for iteration and learning is critical to do a good job.
To gain better focus, I often work earlier in the morning or later in the evening. Having the flexibility to shift my schedule or work outside the office helps me work more effectively.
How do you structure your day or workspace to best facilitate getting into “the zone” or a “flow state”? Do you have rituals, tools or methods that help you access a creative mindset?
Getting into the flow state is easier when I’m feeling good, have retained time to focus and have managed expectations effectively.
A bit of exercise in the morning makes a big difference in how I feel for the rest of the day. It doesn’t take much. I’ll try to go cycling for an hour, but a short walk is also good to help clear my mind.
In a busy work environment, whether it’s an open office setting or frequent Slack notifications, it can be easy to lose focus and go into firefighting mode. I try to have a plan for the day and then take little moments to reflect. This was a lesson I learned riding motorcycles on track. As one instructor framed it, “Always have a plan… and ask, ‘Where am I at and what am I doing?’”
Managing expectations on our team’s work is critical. Hitting expectations, even if moderately set, can be a boost for productivity. It feels good to check things off the list and make progress. On the flip side, over-promising and setting unreasonable expectations can increase the pressure of the situation and make it difficult to get into a creative mindset.
What recommendations do you have for an engineer trying to find what works to help them do their best work?
I used to think only R&D roles had opportunities to be creative. But I’ve found that there is potential to be creative in every area of engineering. Whether project management, QA or ops, there’s always room for improvement, which takes creativity. If you are frustrated with things, use that as a signal to know something isn’t as good as it could be. There’s space for you to contribute.
Even the most exciting R&D projects can feel drab if expectations are misaligned. As engineers, we need to set reasonable expectations, push to hit them, actively adjust as things change and then do it again. Each time you gain skills and knowledge, set the goals a bit higher. Incremental progress is the key. It is okay that your design isn’t perfect today; just keep chipping away. Over time, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come.
Keep an open mind, be curious and actively engage. If you don’t believe in the work, bringing your best effort will be a challenge. If you don’t know why you’re being asked to do something a certain way, don’t hesitate to speak up. Be open with your concerns, questions and ideas. But also be ready to listen. You’ll likely find that others are open for discussion.
