Flow

Flow

The Psychology of Optimal Experience
by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Psychology 23 min read ★★★★☆ 4.3 (1189)
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About This Book

Flow (1990) explores how we can experience enjoyment in our lives by controlling our attention and strengthening our resolve. This is achieved by being immersed in an activity or subject that makes us neither anxious (if it’s too hard), nor bored (if it’s too easy). In this “flow state” we lose our self-consciousness, selfishness and sense of time. Using goal-setting and immediate feedback, we can achieve a state of flow that improves our relationship with work, increases our self-worth and gives our lives meaning.

Who Should Read This?

  • Anyone who wants to be more engaged with their relationships, their work or the world
  • Anyone aiming to rise out of mediocrity and gain mastery over something
  • Anyone who wants to know how their health can be improved by ancient wisdom and diverse cultures

About the Author

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a professor of psychology with a PhD from the University of Chicago. He has been described as the global leader in research on positive psychology, creativity and motivation. His other books based on this research include Creativity: The Psychology of Discovery and Invention and Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life.