I am reading (still) Flow – The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihaly and published by Harper Perennial – first published in 1990. It is one of those books where I keep going “Aha!” as I discover the writer has put my jumbled thoughts into eloquent words that seem quite profound. It is not often I find a book that answers so many questions for me.
I could not do it credit by trying to explain his findings but I would really encourage you to read it. One of the things that appeals to me is that it not pop psychology but seems to have some real research behind it.
To quote a New York Times Book Review, “Flow is important … The way to happiness lies not in mindless hedonism, but in mindful challenge.”
I spoke to a friend on the phone yesterday (we haven’t caught up in many months) and I recommended this book to her. She was amazed at the coincidence as she was just about to put in an online order for the very same book – how is that for synchronicity?
Reblogged this on virtualcoachella and commented:
A great reinforcement tool just when your ‘levels’ start to decrease
I am definitely NOT down in the boredom section …. sometimes wish that I was.
Great diagram!
Thanks Elizabeth. From reading your blog it does seem that your life has been pretty full on these last few months. I hope you are seeing some light at the end of the tunnel 🙂
The next four weeks will be critical and then some easier times ahead, I hope.
Thanks for your wishes to me. 🙂
Thanks Lorriane. His work is transformational!
Thanks Val. I suspect I may have found something about this book from one of your blogs in the last few months. I know it is the second time I have blogged about it but I am so enthusiastic, I want to tell everyone to read it! What is that saying … when the student is ready, the teacher comes ….