Flow

I loved Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's book because it provided me with an extremely comprehensive understanding of what it means to be in flow and how it allows me to achieve meaningful goals and happiness. I found the definitions, diverse examples, activities, and the effects of being in the flow state incredibly insightful.

Csikszentmihalyi engaged me with scientific studies and challenged me to evaluate the differences between pleasure and enjoyment. Additionally, the book helped me understand my own self-consciousness and ego as they relate to finding flow.

Another classic from the Positive Psychology stable. "Flow" is that feeling of deep involvement in a task, especially one where our creativity and skill are challenged.

More generally, it is about clearing the mind of clutter and appreciating the moment. Another book I dip back into regularly. 

I started out my career path as an artist, and when creating art, I regularly got into a state of what is known as flow. Hours would pass before I realized that it was already deep into night and I should be at home.

We think we know what flow is but Csikszentmihalyi tells us what it really is—a combination of the right amount of challenge and skill. Flow describes a state when one experiences the ultimate form of creativity—when a person is so immersed in an experience that time doesn’t matter.

Learning why people pursue experiences that can get… show more.

Flow is a groundbreaking book, embodying the ideal combination of depth and simplicity. A trendsetter from 2008, it offers readers a compelling case for the value of entering a ‘flow’ state—which can also be described as immersion or singletasking. Beautifully presented, memorable, and—yes—a life-changer. I learned from Mihaly that the impact of immersing in tasks is immeasurably profound.

It is trite to say: this book changed my life… and maybe not accurate, maybe what this book did was profoundly alter my understanding of myself. I love this book. Csikszentmihalyi explains that when we are happy we are in Flow, which is an optimal state of challenge and success. One person might find it in tennis, another at work, another (my son) in video games. But some of us, know how to find it… and that, my dear, makes all the difference.