In the Zone

By Jason Samatas

Growing up in Chicago in the 80’s and 90’s, it was really hard to escape Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. As the team got better around him and they started winning consecutive championships starting in 1991, Jordan’s legend was cemented. There’s no question in my mind – despite my personal bias – that MJ is the GOAT. Better than LeBron, Kobe, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell……better than all of them. MJ had supreme talent that showed itself on the court night in and night out.  Legend has it that MJ practiced and competed just as hard during practice as he would in games. His competitiveness drove him to greatness, despite his many God-given talents.

What also made MJ the GOAT was his concentration and his desire to be his best in the most critical moments. You could see the look on his face and the look in his eyes that, with five seconds left in the game and his team down by one point, he was in the zone.  He wanted the ball because he knew he would perform in the clutch.  And in most situations, he absolutely did. This is what I really admired in him; his drive to be successful, not resting on the laurels of his massive talent, continually striving to get better, and when it came down to the last seconds of a game, he was always ready for the moment. He was in the zone.

I would never, EVER compare myself to Michael Jeffery Jordan. Let’s be crystal clear about that. But over the last few weeks, I’ve had a persistent and exhilarating feeling of being in the zone in my own small way. May is proving to be a very exciting and busy month for me. And as luck would have it, all my big events are occurring at the same time towards the end of the month. In two weeks, my middle child is graduating high school. So naturally, I am throwing a grad party at my house the night of graduation for 70 people.  Additionally, my entire Chicago family is staying with me in my Colorado home for the weekend, which is nine extra houseguests, including kids. And finally, I am getting ready for a big interview at a new company for a potential new job that I’ve wanted for quite a while.  All of this, plus everyday tasks that come up in work and personal arenas that also require my attention. But I feel like I’m in the zone. No, I’m not winning any championships for anyone. Yet I feel strangely focused on the tasks at hand and ready to perform (in my interview) while also planning to be enjoying myself (for the graduation and ensuing party while hosting my family). I’ve been practicing my interview answers, studying the material, and slowly working through my immense task list to make sure everything gets done for graduation weekend. I’ve felt very little stress or anxiety, which is a bit unusual. Like I said, I just feel focused and in the zone. What usually gets me in my zone is organization and therefore, my master task list. I know exactly what needs to get done and by when.  However, there’s another ace in the hold to help me out, something I’ve recently learned to do which also lessens my anxiety tremendously beyond organization. I am constantly telling myself “it’s all going to be ok”. As long as I put my heart into prepping for my interview, it will all be ok.  As long as I stay organized with my tasks for grad weekend, it’s all going to be ok. I have come to terms with the fact that neither the interview nor the graduation weekend will be perfect. And that’s all going to be ok. I’m just hoping I can stay in this zone for another two weeks so I can finish the game strong! “Jordan for the win……..” (swish).