Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is the pioneering individual behind the psychological concept of “flow” or “optimal experience.” I’ve been meaning to write a review of his book, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, for several weeks. Yet, I just can’t seem to figure out how to go about doing so. This book is so filled with information and ideas that I found almost breathtaking I don’t think I can really do it justice. Instead, I’ll link you to some reviews that I think do a fairly good job summarizing the book and I’ll give you a brief taste of my own thoughts.
The core thesis of this book is that the “flow” state, also known as optimal experience, is something desirable and attainable by doing almost any activity. With practice, an individual can enter the “flow” consciousness at will. Imagine feeling that intense level of satisfaction and enjoyment you derive from your favorite activities…all the time! I can’t think of anything else that can single-handedly lead to such an increase in the quality of life as being able to do this.
Csikszentmihalyi’s book is supported by the copious amount of research he has conducted over years of studying this concept. However, this book is not bogged down by academic jargon and is immediately accessible for anybody with an interest in the topic. The organization of the book is logical and helps the reader apply the concepts to his or her own life. In terms of why I’m writing about this book on a blog devoted to simplicity, I can’t think of a simpler way to take steps toward improving one’s life. Finding flow is not about spending money or adding additional commitments to your schedule; it’s all about taking control of your mind and deriving enjoyment out of every moment of your life. Literally every moment of a person’s life is fair game to being an element of satisfaction and pleasure. Unlocking that potential within ourselves is the goal of this book. I think the following quote from early in the book sums it up very simply, “Enjoyment does not depend on what you do, but rather how you do it.” If that resonates with you at all, do yourself a favor and read this book.
Time-Out ~ Keep It Simple, Smart-Guy! 