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Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
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Psychology

Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's 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. Csikszentmihalyi 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.

Ask in the margins
How can I achieve a state of flow at work when my daily tasks are highly repetitive and boring?
I often feel overwhelmed and anxious when learning a new skill. How can I use flow to overcome this?
What is the difference between experiencing true flow and just being unhealthily obsessed with a task?