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Summary of Flow 

4.5 . 4758 reviews

Short summary

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's famous investigations of “optimal experience” have revealed that what makes experience genuinely satisfying is a state of consciousness called flow. During flow, people typically experience deep enjoyment, creativity, and a total involvement with life. In this groundbreaking classic book, Csikszentmihalyi demonstrates the ways this positive state can be controlled, not just left to chance. “Flow” teaches how, by ordering the information that enters our consciousness, we can discover true happiness and greatly improve the quality of our lives.

Table of content

  • Summary of Flow
  • About the author
  • What is Flow about?
  • Who should read Flow
  • Topics in Flow
first key point

Happiness is an intricate state of mind; it's a by-product of a life well lived

Listen the first key point
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It is wrong to treat happiness as a feeling that someone can buy, that it would eventually come calling once you achieve your ever-evolving goals. From what you must have learned over time, happiness is a fleeting state of mind many have chased and very few have reached.

In essence, this summary fixates on the elusive euphoria that happiness is and tries to present you with a template that could help you mold a happy existence. Firstly, you should never rate happiness by relying only on external factors like money, power, or a great body. These goals can never quench your thirst for fulfillment. Your capacity to achieve one goal would naturally give birth to more goals. In other words, living is like partaking in a never – ending race.
Happiness is not a goal...it's a by-product of a life well lived. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Yet, the universe is indifferent to your goals. The things you can control are so minuscule compared to those you cannot control. Chaos permeates the universe. For instance, you have no control over famine, drought, or diseases.
Society identifies and capitalizes on your genetics, prioritizing survival and pleasure over everything else.
Society has taught individuals to conform to rules that push them to fight some of their instincts or desires. It relies on a reward and punishment system that ignites fear and the expectation that your actions today will determine your future. Nonetheless, happiness thrives in people who value and understand consciousness’s power. Realizing this truth will help you control fear and anxiety. It will fortify you with the awareness of the hysterical nature of social systems and how to accept or take the reward they avail.
second key point

Consciousness and attention work hand-in-hand to shape who you are

Until recently, people valued the capacity to take a reflective approach to life rather than an instinctive one. Consciousness is, however, the differentiating factor between reflection and instinct. While instinct is your natural response to stimuli or external factors, reflection helps you put things into perspective.
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third key point

The flow experience transcends pleasure; it involves activities that require skill and conscious complexity

fourth key point

Your body and mind are core to your flow experience

fifth key point

Different things and conditions motivate people differently

sixth key point

You can find flow in chaos

seventh key point

Conclusion

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What is Flow about?

Who should read Flow

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Do you find yourself staring at your computer for long minutes, unaware of time slipping by? Do you enter a room and suddenly cannot remember why you stepped in the first place? Is it a herculean task for you to sit through ten pages of a book without reaching for your phone? If yes, your focus needs some work and fast.

Actually, yours is not a unique situation. Many adults like you have issues concentrating on a given task. However, in this fast-paced world of ours, you can’t afford to be not focused at all times. Thankfully, this article comes to your rescue! With the tips and tricks from Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, you will get in the top percent of folks who have mastered the art of concentration.