This is pretty much related to the concept of flow [1]. Simply put, we are most satisfied (in the long term) when in flow, which could be characterized as the blurring of awareness and action, the feeling of control, a distortion of time perception, and some other stuff outlined in the link.
Simply its a more formal definition of 'the zone'. Yeah, the same zone as in sports, music, or coding sessions. Basically, the idea is that almost any activity can be experienced in the flow, and the further away from flow characteristics we move, the less satisfied we are. Thinking about something else while doing the current task is about as far from flow as you can get (unless the other thing you are thinking about is an flow experience thing).
Simply its a more formal definition of 'the zone'. Yeah, the same zone as in sports, music, or coding sessions. Basically, the idea is that almost any activity can be experienced in the flow, and the further away from flow characteristics we move, the less satisfied we are. Thinking about something else while doing the current task is about as far from flow as you can get (unless the other thing you are thinking about is an flow experience thing).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_%28psychology%29