Flow States are states of deep immersion and focus characterized by high concentration, enjoyment, and a sense of control. It has been consistently associated with greater performance, creativity, learning, and wellbeing. Despite this, organizational research on flow has primarily relied on retrospective self-reports, which are vulnerable to recall bias and fail to capture the moment-to-moment nature of the experience.


We are currently conducting a study that addresses this limitation by examining the temporal dynamics of flow, wellbeing, and productivity in real work settings. Using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) delivered via mobile technology, employees provide short reports of their daily experiences for 14 consecutive days. This design makes it possible to capture flow episodes as they occur, while minimizing participant burden. Data are collected across multiple organizations and integrated with indicators of productivity, wellbeing, and contextual resources at momentary, daily, individual, and organizational levels.


The study aims to capture real-time fluctuations of flow across tasks and throughout the workday, identifying conditions that enable or constrain optimal experiences. We expect higher frequency and intensity of flow to be positively associated with self-reported wellbeing and perceived productivity. Contextual resources such as psychological safety, empowerment, self-regulation, and perceived significance of work are expected to act as facilitators, while task type, interruptions, and other situational factors are expected to moderate the relationship between flow and outcomes. Taken together, we anticipate that flow, with its distinct characteristics, will amplify both productivity and wellbeing.


By combining real-time assessment with organizational data, this research contributes to both science and practice. It advances understanding of the dynamic nature of flow at work, moving beyond static or retrospective measures, and provides organizations with evidence-based recommendations on how to design work environments that foster sustainable performance and wellbeing.