PENGUIN Flow: The Psychology of Happiness

The book "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, which I recently read, was written over 30 years ago. However, its concepts and analyses remain pertinent even in contemporary times.Csikszentmihalyi defines flow as the state of being completely absorbed in an activity, where time appears to pass quickly and individuals feel fully engaged and fulfilled. Flow typically occurs when there's a balance between the challenge of the task at hand and the individual's skill level. If the challenge is too low, people may experience boredom, while if it's too high, they may feel anxiety.In software development, we sometimes use the term "entering the zone" to describe a state of complete immersion in our work. This is akin to flow, where time seems to fly by, and one experiences joy in addressing a problem or constructing a solution.The author outlines several key components of flow, including clear goals, immediate feedback, deep concentration, a sense of control, the merging of action and awareness, loss of self-consciousness, and an altered sense of time. Flow experiences often lead to increased creativity, productivity, and overall well-being.The author praises the merits of rote learning, highlighting its advantages, while expressing disappointment towards educational reformers for gradually phasing it out. He explains how rote learning enhances memory and can regulate consciousness.Furthermore, the author discusses autotelic workers - individuals who exhibit a high degree of intrinsic motivation and find satisfaction in the work itself rather than external rewards or recognition.The author also explores the concept of an internalised symbolic system. During periods of persistent external turmoil, this internal framework can provide a lifeline. In the face of profound adversity, figures like poets, mathematicians, historians, and religious scholars have emerged as pillars of sanity amid tumultuous times.The author argues that navigating stress and harnessing the potency of dissipative structures can lead to the realisation that losing one's job could potentially be a blessing if it leads to discovering a path more aligned with one's aspirations.Overall, "Flow" offers valuable insights into the nature of optimal experience and provides practical guidance for achieving flow in daily life, ultimately leading to greater purpose and fulfilment.

makes you think about your actions the moment you read the book

Ogni capitolo, a volte persino la singola pagina, mi porta a pensare e riflettere sul contenuto...Davvero scritto bene e rilevante nel mondo di oggi.

This book is a masterpiece !It is not another book on happiness !This book will explain you practically how happiness happen !So that you can then redesign your life to experiment more and more happiness !It explains the difference between pleasure and happiness !(as an example you will understand why watching tv is most of the time a waste of time)(most of the time it is even not a pleasure, sometimes it is a pleasure, but almost never it brings you happiness)Concerning the shop, Book Depository is just amazing !Very fast and people are very kind !

The book was in good condition.About the content, it's very well written and provided insights about many things that we take for granted - like the reasons which make us enjoy things, what conditions ensure that the work that we do gives us immense satisfaction. It also reveals the inner workings of high acheivers, and also the fundamental reason those high achievers can perform so greatly for decades during their lifetime.However, at times the book felt too philosophical, deep-diving into simple topics which are common knowledge for almost everyone.Overall, a decent read.