What is "in the zone"

a. (context idiomatic English) In a mental state of focused concentration on the performance of an activity, in which one dissociates oneself from distracting or irrelevant aspects of one's environment.

In the Zone is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Britney Spears. It was released on November 12, 2003, by JIVE Records. Its music incorporates R&B, dance, house, trip hop, and hip hop styles with instrumentation from guitars, drums, synthesizers, strings, and Middle Eastern musical instruments. Its themes range from love, dancing, empowerment, and in the case of songs such as " Touch of My Hand", sex and masturbation. Contributions to the album's production came from a wide range of producers, including Bloodshy & Avant, R. Kelly, Trixster, Moby, Guy Sigsworth and The Matrix.

With the conclusion of the Dream Within a Dream Tour in July 2002 and the end of her relationship with Justin Timberlake, Spears planned to take a six-month break from her career; however, work for In the Zone began later that November. She began writing songs for the album while touring internationally, despite not knowing the direction of the album. She experimented with different producers, trying to find those with whom she had chemistry. The first song recorded was "Touch of My Hand", which Spears claims set the mood for the album. She co-wrote all but four tracks, and often changed the lyrics to suit herself. Spears stated she was an autobiographical songwriter, although not to the point where she felt self-exploited. She also explained that the sexual nature of In the Zone was subconscious and happened while she was in the process of developing the album. Spears collaborated with artists such as Madonna in " Me Against the Music" and the Ying Yang Twins in "(I Got That) Boom Boom".

In the Zone received mixed to positive reviews from music critics, who complimented its mix of different styles and Spears's songwriting, but criticized her vocals for being distant and processed. Commercially, In the Zone became an international success, debuting atop of the charts in France and the United States, and peaking inside the top ten in fifteen countries. In the United States, she became the first female artist to have four consecutive number-one albums. In the Zone went on to become the eighth best selling album of 2003.

Four singles were released from the album: " Me Against the Music", " Toxic" and " Everytime" met international chart success, all peaking at number one in Australia and Ireland and reaching top five positions elsewhere. To promote In the Zone, Spears performed the songs in a number of television appearances and also embarked on The Onyx Hotel Tour. The album and its music videos are largely seen by critics as the end of her transition from teen pop star to a more adult female artist. In 2009, Amy Schriefer of NPR listed In the Zone as one of The 50 Most Important Recordings of the Decade, calling it "a primer on the sound of pop in the '00s".

"In the Zone" is an episode of The Outer Limits television show. It was first broadcast on February 20, 1998, during the fourth season.

"In The Zone" is a song by Puerto Rican recording artist Ivy Queen featuring Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean. It was composed by Queen, Jean, Deborah Castillero, Aaron King and Omar Navarro and released on February 9, 1999, as the lead single from her second studio album The Original Rude Girl (1998). The song is a hip hop track.

The collaboration with Wyclef Jean helped elevate Ivy Queen's status and expose her to American audiences. An accompanying music video was also shot and released. It was directed by Jeff Kennedy and produced by George Barnes. A remix version was also recorded and included on the album featuring extra verses from both Queen and Jean. The song managed to chart at number 38 on the Billboard Rhythmic Top 40.

In the Zone is a 1917 stage play by Eugene O'Neill.

In the Zone is a studio album by Britney Spears.

In the Zone may also refer to:

• Britney Spears: In the Zone, a video album with live performances and music videos
• In the Zone (play), a 1917 play by Eugene O'Neill
• In the Zone (song), a single by Ivy Queen featuring Wyclef Jean
• In the Zone (The Outer Limits), an episode of the TV series The Outer Limits
• In the Zone (NCIS), an episode of the TV series NCIS
• In the zone, a psychological concept: see flow (psychology)