Flow - the Psychology of Optimal Experience

[Mojo]

Just finished reading this one.  If you're interested in learning about the science of happiness, what makes an autotelic personality, and how to improve the quality of experience, this book is incredibly insightful.  And it''s crazy how Mustachian the book is at its core!  The author basically gives a more detailed and thorough explanation of several MMM favorites.  I really can't recommend this book enough.

   

[Nicster]

Just finished listening to the audio version. I listened to it twice and heard different things each time.

I agree with many of his points, and loved the example of the factory worked with the 4th grade education who lived a happy life by focusing one his passions, being creative and doing what he did well and with purpose.

I also took away that you do not need to be retired or free of a daily 9-5 job to be happy. You can be "in Flow" sitting in traffic or doing work if you create the right environment.

[mobilisinmobili]

One of my all time favorite books.

Finding flow is definitely one of my favorite activities.

[catch89]

Just finished this book, and I agree! Mustachian at it's core. So many thoughts on possibilities!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[neo von retorch]

Yes, not finished reading it yet. But it certainly aligns with Mr. Money Mustache's core philosophies.

While many people spend money to do things that give you short term pleasure (or at least, distraction), learning to do things for yourself, modeling your life around personal growth and worthwhile pursuits is going to result in much more happiness.

Now perhaps "suffering" through the working years to retire early is not a life filled with autotelic experiences, so in that respect, we can add something to the Mustachian way by learning how to better appreciate our careers before we reach FIRE, which I think a lot of people reading the site and participating in the forums really need. MMM has already reached FIRE, and the newer articles are often more geared towards how to live his life as it is, with less focus on the process of getting there. (We see this with popular blog authors, just as J.D. lost popularity as he graduated beyond the process and sold the blog.)

[kittystache]

I've been reading it, but am having a very hard time finishing it. 

He is basically defining "flow" as a state that leads to optimum happiness and stating that you can find it anywhere and you just need to build the right environment.

However, What the heck is the "right environment"?  The answer is that it differs for everyone.  Which is not especially helpful. If you already know what you are engaged in - then that is easy, just do more stuff you love.  Duh. 

The book has not been very insightful on "finding flow" just naming it.

[neo von retorch]

OK - so it's defined as a state between excessive challenge (anxiety) and excessive ease (boredom.)

In what ways can you be challenged, but learn to overcome those challenges, thus expanding your skills and becoming a more complex person?

Or, put another way, in your existing daily life and responsibilities, how can you challenge yourself to improve upon how you do things?

[hodedofome]

Reading this book along with Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin is a good combo. Flow is basically the state that highly productive individuals are in during their deliberate practice times. At least, the creative times