Getting into zone is a pleasurable and fruitful process. We produce good source code and we get lots of satisfaction from our work done while being in the zone. But, how does one get into the 'zone'? Do you follow a specific process? Apart from switching of email system, mobiles and other mundane non-productive applications, is there anything else that can be done?
Concentrate on what you need to do. Make the effort to actually start doing it. This can be one of the hardest things - to actively stop fluffing about.

Don't have email open. Don't have Fakebook in another window. Don't have any StackExchange going. No forums. Only quiet. And then get on with it.

It generally takes me (and pretty much everyone else I know) about 15-20 mins to get there.

You can generally sustain "the zone" for about 2 hours, and generally only once per day - its mentally pretty tiring. If you are super-duper you might manage it twice in a day. After "the zone" the rest of your day is pretty much lightweight by comparison, you get things done but the burst of huge productivity is over.

Oh - and getting out of the zone takes about 3 seconds - eg a phone call, or somebody sticking their head and saying: "Can I bother you for a moment" - to which the answer is: "yes, you already did". Bang. The zone is gone. Another 15-20 to get back.

Amazing how many stupid s/w defects get introduced by getting knocked out of the zone.

Amazing also how many people (esp managers) think that open plan is a really good way to develop quality software (where nobody EVER gets into the zone let alone stays there).
