It has been referred to as the mysterious phenomenon of spontaneous excellence. It has been applauded as the model for achievement in everything from athletics to child rearing, and it relates to every aspect of our lives, from the food we eat to the art and music we surround ourselves with. "Being 'in the zone' has been popularized greatly by the sports media, and, as so often happens with buzz-words and catch-phrases, it has taken on an...