Part psychological study, part self-help book, Finding Flow is a prescriptive guide that helps us reclaim ownership of our lives. Based on a far-reaching study of thousands of individuals, Finding Flow contends that we often walk through our days unaware and out of touch with our emotional lives. Our inattention makes us constantly bounce between two extremes: during much of the day we live filled with the anxiety and pressures of our work and obligations, while during our leisure moments, we tend to live in passive boredom. The key, according to Csikszentmihalyi, is to challenge ourselves with tasks requiring a high degree of skill and commitment. Instead of watching television, play the piano. Transform a routine task by taking a different approach. In short, learn the joy of complete engagement. Thought they appear simple, the lessons in Finding Flow are life-altering.
finding flow book October 22, 2008 Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life (Masterminds Series) great shipping great condition thanks
no September 7, 2008 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
would not have read if I didn't have to and this was not a good read
Slow Flow July 23, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
In _Finding Flow_, Cziszentmihalyi repeats the same concepts and even a few examples used in his previous book _Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience_. He introduces the concept of "flow" as essentially the mental state in which one is inspired, challenged, focused and capable all at once. Someone experiencing "flow" frequently loses track of time and worries while being completely alert to the activities engaging them. The author uses NUMEROUS examples to prove his argument, yet his conclusions are not always convincing (for example, he dismisses the accuracy of self-reports by teenagers who claim to experience more "flow" and less happiness-- while relying on these same self-reports to claim "autotelic" (in the "flow") teenagers are more satisfied).
I suppose the book might be enlightening for those who have rarely experienced "flow" and wouldn't think to examine their experiences for it. I have been feeling less focused and less creative lately, so I was hoping to learn some new, practical strategies for improvement.
Some worthwhile points: * Learn to re-frame your experiences so that they feel "willed" (in a healthy way)
* Examine your daily activities for the ones that show recognizable elements of flow; add more of these activities to your life, if you can, or try to turn less enjoyable activities into games
* Take interest in being disinterested. Do things for the sake of doing them, for the process and not for the result.
* Do more housework if you are a man, less if you are a woman.
Altogether, the book is rated 3 stars for a mediocre attempt at a worthwhile topic. Few examples and more analysis would have made the argument much more convincing.
When you have your fastball working July 8, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If you can remember an instant in your youth when everything seemed to be going perfectly, you understand Flow. This book is a very good way to learn about Flow and work. How how to get back that felling from your past.
A Great Read for Anyone June 27, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I absolutely loved this book. It's not a self-help book by any means. It goes beyond that. There are reasons why we love or hate anything we do, and this book goes into detail to answer the great question, "Why?"
Seems like common sense, but it's not for most people. When you begin to understand why you love to do things and hate to do others, you can begin to enrich your life to enhance your overall experience on this planet.
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