Getting into the Flow

 We’ve been putting in extra effort to get in the Flow this week.

What is Flow?

Flow is when we are working on a task that challenges us but we aren’t overstretched. We lose track of time and we might forget about the world around us (Nakamura & Csikszentmihalyi, 2005). Professional athletes talk of Flow or a feeling of ‘being in the zone’, when we are totally engrossed in what we are doing.

In addition, Einstein who, as he was working on the Theory of Relativity, came out of his office to play the piano and violin.  He would play, lose himself in his music and then make notes (on his scientific work), then go back to his music. It is said that he ‘imagined’ his best work while doing something completely different. Playing music helped him get in the Flow.

This is our aim, to get into the Flow. We asked:

When am I most in the Flow?

How do I get in the Flow?

What does it feel like to be in the Flow?

Why is Flow important?

Flow is an important factor in engagement. Research by Kashdan et al. (2010) shows us that engagement is a predictor of motivation, commitment and performance in tertiary education. So this mahi is important for us to practice now! 

Some students thoughts on Flow:

Charlie - "It’s easy to get in the Flow, you don’t really notice you’re in it. I find I get in the Flow while writing and in Maths occasionally. "

Olive - "Being in the Flow is ideas just keep coming into your head and you can’t block them out."

Otto B - "Flow is easy when you’re not stressed, when you have lots of time. You can think about things and think ‘Hmm.. this could be good.’ I’m usually writing or reading when I’m in the Flow. I know I’m in the Flow when I keep telling myself ‘a little bit more, oh just a little bit more.’ I can’t stop!"

Akonga in the flow as they created this mural!