From the Zone to the Bestseller List | How to Achieve a Flow State
What if you could unlock your creative potential at will and write in a state of effortless flow? For New York Times bestselling author Tom Greanias, this is no hypothetical—it’s his reality. In the latest episode of the Living in The Zone Podcast, Tom joins America’s ZoneCoach®, Jim Fannin, to explore how the S.C.O.R.E.® System helped him transform Raising Atlantis into a bestselling trilogy and take his storytelling to unparalleled heights.
Whether you’re an aspiring writer, an experienced creative, or simply someone eager to achieve your personal best, this episode is a masterclass in harnessing the Zone for creativity and life success.
The Power of the Zone: Where Creativity Thrives
The Zone is a mental state where peak performance feels effortless. In this state, distractions fade, time dilates, and focus sharpens. For Tom Greanias, entering the Zone meant being able to tackle complex plots and bring vivid characters to life while staying aligned with his creative vision.
ZoneCoach® Founder and Podcast Host Jim Fannin describes the Zone as “a state of mental simplicity and clarity, where self-discipline, concentration, optimism, relaxation, and enjoyment (S.C.O.R.E.®) are perfectly balanced.” The Zone isn’t limited to athletes or professionals; it’s accessible to anyone willing to adopt the mindset and techniques to get there.
As Tom reveals, achieving this state was the key to expanding his creative universe. Writing in the Zone allowed him to craft compelling stories with greater ease, transforming his projects into dynamic successes.
How the S.C.O.R.E.® System Fueled Tom’s Creative Journey
The S.C.O.R.E.® System is built around five essential components that foster the Zone:
Self-Discipline: Setting clear goals and creating a structured approach to achieve them. For Tom, this meant mapping out his writing sessions with precision and sticking to his vision. Tom had a specific window each day he would sit down to write.
Concentration: Learning to block out distractions and fully immerse in the task at hand. Tom credits this principle for enabling him to dive deep into his story world and emerge with intricate, engaging narratives.
Optimism: Maintaining confidence in the face of challenges. As Tom shares in the episode, setbacks during the creative process became opportunities for breakthroughs when he embraced an optimistic mindset.
Relaxation: Letting go of tension to allow creativity to flow naturally. For Tom, this meant taking warm baths before bed to allow his creativity to come to the forefront.
Enjoyment: Rediscovering the joy in writing and storytelling. By tapping into his passion, Tom brought authenticity and energy to his work.
Writing in the Zone: Tom’s Practical Tips
In the episode, Tom shares actionable strategies he used to foster his creativity and master his craft:
Visualization: Before each writing session, Tom mentally rehearses using the B2A Principle™. Using the 90-Second Mental Movie™ tool, he pictures his story coming to life, ensuring his focus is sharp and his mind is primed for success. Tom would see readers interacting with the book and its characters and see how he wanted readers to feel and respond after each chapter.
Daily Check-ins: A key part of the S.C.O.R.E.® System is self-awareness. Tom developed the habit of doing a “S.C.O.R.E.® Check √” before and after each writing session to evaluate his focus, mood, and progress.
Optimistic Mantras: To counteract self-doubt, Tom adopted a personal mantra inspired by the S.C.O.R.E.® System: “The story I need to tell will come to me effortlessly.” This mantra became a powerful anchor for his creative process.
Cheetah Focus™: Like the precision of a cheetah on the hunt, this tool helped Tom isolate his focus during allocated writing blocks, allowing him to stay locked into his creative rhythm.
Lessons for Every Creative
While this episode focuses on writing, the insights shared by Tom and Jim are universally applicable. The ability to achieve flow, sustain focus, and overcome mental blocks can benefit anyone, regardless of their field or endeavours.
For instance, Tom’s use of the Light Switch™ technique to shift quickly into “creative mode” is just as relevant for professionals preparing for a big presentation or parents juggling work-life balance. The principles of the S.C.O.R.E.® System can elevate performance in any area of life.
Beyond Writing: Living in the Zone
One of the most inspiring takeaways from this conversation is the idea that living in the Zone isn’t just for creative projects or peak moments—it’s a way of life. Tom explains how the mindset he developed through S.C.O.R.E.® transcends writing. It’s helped him manage stress, stay present, and find joy in daily life.
This conversation reminds us that the Zone is accessible to everyone. With practice and the right tools, we can reduce mental clutter, focus on what matters, and align our actions with our deepest goals.
Your Turn: Unlock Your Zone
As you listen to this episode, reflect on how you can apply the S.C.O.R.E.® System to your own life. Are you ready to eliminate distractions, boost focus, and live with greater purpose? The tools Tom and Jim discuss are simple yet transformative—and they just might change the way you approach your goals.
To dive deeper into the conversation and learn how to unlock your creative flow, tune in to this week’s episode of the Living in The Zone Podcast. Your Zone awaits.