On Monday, my wife and I splurged at the local movies theater buying a large popcorn and large soda. Even with today’s ticket prices, we still spent more on concessions than the movie itself.

After all, watching a movie without popcorn is like eating a PB&J sandwich without peanut butter. Actually, running out of popcorn in the middle of the movie is worse. That is why I splurge for the large popcorn… even if I never finish it. This allows me to clear my head during the movie to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience.

What does this have to do with staying in Context as it’s known in Getting Things Done (GTD)? One of the main secrets in what makes GTD work is maintaining focus on the task in front of you and keeping a clear head. When you are working on tasks in the right context without outside distractions (such as tasks you didn’t write down, or your hunger for popcorn), you are at your most effective. It is the zen, or zone of GTD.

To be in the zone, you need to have everything you need to do in a system you trust to keep your head clear, and when you are working on your tasks, having everything in front of you that you need. Staying and working in context helps you produce your best work efficiently while helping you get things done.

When you are working on your tasks, what distractions take you out of your zone? Let me know in the comments.