Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Flow

The Psychology of Optimal Experience

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Mihály Csíkszentmihályi

HarperCollins · Print & ebook · July 1, 2008

“Csikszentmihalyi arrives at an insight that many of us can intuitively grasp, despite our insistent (and culturally supported) denial of this truth.

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Who it’s for
A practical, reflective guide to why some experiences feel fully alive.
Themes
psychology, happiness, personal growth
Pacing
Reflective

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About this book

“Csikszentmihalyi arrives at an insight that many of us can intuitively grasp, despite our insistent (and culturally supported) denial of this truth. That is, it is not what happens to us that determines our happiness, but the manner in which we make sense of that reality. . . .

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The manner in which Csikszentmihalyi integrates research on consciousness, personal psychology and spirituality is illuminating.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review The bestselling classic that holds the key to unlocking meaning, creativity, peak performance, and true happiness. Legendary psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's famous investigations of "optimal experience" have revealed that what makes an experience genuinely satisfying is a state of consciousness called flow. During flow, people typically experience deep enjoyment, creativity, and a total involvement with life. In this new edition of his groundbreaking classic work, Csikszentmihalyi ("the leading researcher into ‘flow states’" —Newsweek) demonstrates the ways this positive state can be controlled, not just left to chance. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience teaches how, by ordering the information that enters our consciousness, we can discover true happiness, unlock our potential, and greatly improve the quality of our lives.

The Good Pull

A practical, reflective guide to why some experiences feel fully alive.

Come here for

  • clear, usable ideas about attention and enjoyment
  • a calm, thoughtful take on selfhood and happiness

Expect

  • accessible psychology with a layered center
  • contemplative, straightforward prose

Where it sits

The Pursuit of Happiness70%
Unlocking Creativity32%
The Creative Mind27%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Art History
  • Professional Development
  • Philosophy Writing
  • Applied Psychology
Show all 8 publisher categories
  • Personality
  • The Creative Mind
  • Neuroscience
  • Unlocking Creativity
Authors
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Mihály Csíkszentmihályi
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published
July 1, 2008
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
psychology · happiness · personal growth
Reading lane
Art History