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"Flow" State: The Cognitive Science Behind Peak Performance

    Many of us have heard and used the phrase "in the flow" when referring to someone or ourselves performing extremely well in a given activity, but few people are familiar with the actual psychological concept of "flow." Despite its frequent references in mainstream culture, flow is more than just a common saying: flow is a psychological phenomenon that has been studied for decades. The question is, what is flow, and how do we achieve it to unlock peak performance?

    Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi--one of the fathers of positive psychology--defines "flow" as a mental state where one is fully immersed and skillfully engaged in a task at hand. In an interview with Wired magazine, he describes the phenomenon in detail: “…being completely involved in an activity for its own sake. The ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one, like playing jazz. Your whole being is involved, and you’re using your skills to the utmost" (Csikszentmihalyi 1996). In other words, in the flow state, one is more productive than usual and excels at the activity they are involved in.

    Those who engage in extracurricular activities often can likely relate to having experienced the flow state before. Many of the same people most definitely have had periods where they have felt like they were "off their game" or under-performing. But what determines when one will experience flow versus a lacking performance? In order to maximize flow and reduce poor performance, it is important to understand the science behind flow and what triggers it. Firstly, it is necessary to look at the parts of the brain involved in flow.

    The frontal lobe plays a significant role in flow. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for controlling one's executive functions like attention, problem solving, and planning, all of which are involved in flow. Because of the importance of this area of the brain in maintaining the flow state, those with more developed frontal lobes may experience flow stronger or with stronger frequency. 

    Taking a step away from biological factors, another important influencer of flow is the satisfaction that one derives from the activity they are engaging in. Csikszentmihalyi studied flow in professionals found that satisfaction was maximized when professionals made realistic goals and were able to complete them. The satisfaction and confidence that came from reaching the goals that were tailored to their skillset allowed them to enter the flow state. This observation indicates the importance of proper goal setting.

    A problem many people who are dedicated to an activity have is setting unrealistic goals. Chasing a goal that is dramatically difficult to accomplish can end up becoming a source of discouragement when progress towards that goal is not made. On the other hand, setting multiple smaller goals can help encourage a person, allowing them to get into that flow state because of the satisfaction and small dopamine hit released when each goal is met. This also increases the frequency of those feelings of accomplishment and reward because these goals can be more easily completed.  

    In short, the flow state is attainable for everyone who commits to an activity. Responsible goal setting is arguably the most important thing to consider for someone who is aiming to maximize their flow. Not only does setting smaller and more frequent goals feel more pleasurable because of the frequent dopamine release, but it also gives the perception that more progression is being made in comparison to working towards one unattainable goal. Goal setting habits are a major step towards gaining control of and capitalizing on flow. The flow state can't be forced, but one can condition their brain to be able to facilitate it more often. 

    
Works Cited

        Geirland, John. "Go with the Flow." Wired, 1 Sept. 1996, www.wired.com/1996/09/czik/.

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