Making Flow Happen

In PERMA, one of the key areas of engagement is flow and at the Year 7-12 Athletics Carnival this week, I saw a number of students experiencing this. Ilona Boniwell is a leading UK psychologist and educational consult. She has published a very readable book, Positive Psychology In A Nutshell, which is packed with scientific evidence on concepts such as flow. Ilona explains that the state of flow happens under very specific conditions – when we encounter a challenge that tests our skills and yet our skills and capacities are such that it is just about possible to meet that challenge. Therefore, both the challenge and skills are at high levels, stretching us almost to the limit. Flow is a universal experience, which has several important characteristics:

• Clarity of goals and immediate feedback on progress. For example during the Athletics Carnival students knew exactly, what they had to achieve and how well they were doing. In their academic schoolwork, the setting off TFU goals and visible thinking routines provides clarity for student on their progress.
• Complete concentration on what they are doing in the present moment with no room in their mind for any other information.
• Actions and awareness are merged. The activity seemingly becomes automatic and the involvement effortless – though this is far from the truth.
• Sense of control over what one is doing.
• Transformation of time. Usually, time passes much faster than expected.
• Activities are intrinsically rewarding. This means they have an end in themselves.

What is also interesting about flow is the almost total absence of emotions. Thank you to our hard working Sport Department for their organisation of such a wonderful carnival that enabled many students to experience flow.

Mr Brendan Delaney, Director of Students