Finding flow
by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi · first published 1997
70% recommend30% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Explains the psychology of flow, the state of deep engagement in everyday work and life, and how to create conditions for it; suits people wanting to find more satisfaction and focus at work.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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. As a result of this inattention, we find ourselves constantly bouncing between two extremes: during much of the day we live inundated by the anxiety and pressures of our work and obligations, and during our leisure moments, we tend to live in passive boredom. Part psychological study and part self-help book, Finding Flow is a prescriptive guide that helps us reclaim ownership of our lives. The key, according to Csikszentmihalyi
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2007–2026Flow
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Recommended by 68 · mentioned by 12068 recommend · 120 mention68 recommend · 12068 recommend
2008–2026The Timeless Way of Building
Christopher Alexander
Recommended by 67 · mentioned by 10367 recommend · 103 mention67 recommend · 10367 recommend
2007–2026Dune
Frank Herbert
Recommended by 193 · mentioned by 512193 recommend · 512 mention193 recommend · 512193 recommend
2007–2026Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Robert M. Pirsig
Recommended by 302 · mentioned by 508302 recommend · 508 mention302 recommend · 508302 recommend
2007–2026The Pragmatic Programmer
Andy Hunt, Dave Thomas
Recommended by 353 · mentioned by 589353 recommend · 589 mention353 recommend · 589353 recommend
2011–2026Thinking, fast and slow
Daniel Kahneman
Recommended by 373 · mentioned by 879373 recommend · 879 mention373 recommend · 879373 recommend
Leave it to Psmith - 10/10 Anna Karenina - 8/10 The Code of the Woosters 8/10 Fooled by Randomness 7/10 Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life 8/10 How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia 9/10 Reluctant Fundamentalist 9/10 The Sense of an Ending - Julian Barnes 8/10 The Last Question - Asimov…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2015?” ↗1. Dan Lyons: Disrupted 2. Stephen King: Joyland 3. Ray Kroc: Grinding it Out 4. Antonio Garcia Martinez: Chaos Monkeys 5. Jonah Berger: Contagious 6. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: Finding Flow 7. Calum Chase: Surviving A.I. 8. Dan Ariely: Payoff
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2016?” ↗…found it really useful to know about flow, what can get it going and when it's just not happening, and most interviews just aren't set up to encourage it. Csikszentmihalyi wrote a shorter book called "Finding Flow" which speaks of creating situations that bring out the best in others and us.
on “Mihály Csíkszentmihályi has died” ↗I've read 'Finding Flow' By Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Its the one book one must read to develop an attitude of not complaining about circumstances and of finding happiness no matter what.
on “A Moment of Clarity in the Pursuit of Happiness” ↗…any software project. Teaches you about setting a high goal, finding the right team, overcoming failure, being scrappy, and keeping your team together inspite of the odds. Another non-standard book is "Finding Flow" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi which is about psychology of happiness at work or life.
on “Ask HN: What's the best development book you've read?” ↗Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is the guy to read on flow. Try his book, "Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life" Not exactly on your point, but here he is on video http://www.ted.com/talks/mihaly_csikszentmihalyi_on_flow/ For a different approach, try this article,…
on “Ask HN: How do you get and stay in the "zone"?” ↗…helpful on two levels - 1. For my limited historical knowledge, it's a good crash course. 2. On a higher level, it explains why culture is a glue that keeps the wheels of any civilization spinning. Finding Flow
on “Ask HN: What books fundamentally changed the way you think about the world?” ↗Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life (Masterminds Series) (Paperback) Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
on “Low Skills Cause Procrastination” ↗There seem to be two Flow books by the same author : Flow: The Psychology of Happiness Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement With Everyday Life Which one are you recommending?
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2016?” ↗…clock was helpful. (Other than, "I need a deadline, because I start writing the night before it's due," which is different.) There are books about the topic, including <a href="http://amzn.to/1T4Nf4H">Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life</a>. It's years since I read it, but the overall discovery is that for _most_ creative people, the way to get into flow is to do something active that…
on “The Most Dangerous Writing App” ↗