Flow: The Psychology Of Optimal Experience [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio CD]

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Author, Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2002

SUCCESS CAN BE YOURS WITH

MIHALY CSIKSZENTMIHALYI'S FLOW

The world's foremost producer of personal development and motivational audio programs gives you the tools to unleash the secret of peak performance.

Remember the last time that you were so focused, so motivated that you felt at the absolute top of your form -- alert, energized and free of self-consciousness? Chances are you were experiencing flow -- an almost euphoric state of concentration and complete involvement.

Now, esteemed psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi reveals how you can achieve this state of mind at will -- and turn everyday experience into a moment by moment opportunity for joy and self-fulfillment. Drawing on over 30 years of breakthrough research into what makes people satisfied, he explains the key elements of the flow experience, including how to:

• Use flow to release yourself from anxiety and boredom
• Redirect your energy and take control
• Set clear goals
• Harmonize all the elements of your life
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a professor of human development and education at the University of Chicago. He is the author of several books, Beyond Boredom and Anxiety, Talented Teenagers, The Evolving Self and Flow, on which this audio experience has captured the attention of psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists and corporations the world over. His research is being used by educators, business executives and cultural institutions because his findings have much to offer anyone interested in improving his understanding of how people can perform optimally in every area of life.

From AudioFile

Rather than a mere abridgment, this program is a spontaneous but well-organized talk by the author on the core ideas of his excellent book. Nicely aided by helpful introductions and classical music, the author's lucid thinking and flowing conversation make his points fly. Flow happens when you are fully present and engaged in what you are doing and timelessly committed to the activity. Applied to any type of art or work, it creates an efficiency and clarity of purpose that feel great and can also be applied to everyday activities like brushing teeth or walking to the mailbox. It can transform your waking life into something intentional and empowering. Everyone should enjoy this listening and learning opportunity. T.W. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio/Nightingale-Conant; Abridged edition (July 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743525043
• ISBN-13: 978-0743525046
• Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 5.2 x 5.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #566,329 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating book that will held you understand how to get into the flow of things, October 23, 2008

By 

Blaine Greenfield "eclectic reader" (Belle Meade, NJ) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flow: The Psychology Of Optimal Experience (Audio CD)

I first discovered the concept of flow several years ago when
I was working at home on a grievance matter that I was
handling for my teacher's union . . . all of a sudden, I was
interrupted by a call from my massage therapist . . . she
was asking why I wasn't in her office for my appointment.

Now massages are one of the things I REALLY look forward
to . . . yet I had been so "into" what I was doing that the
appointment completely skipped my mind.

Sometime thereafter, I became acquainted with the work
of esteemed psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and his
work on this subject . . . so when I just got the chance to hear
FLOW: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF OPTIMAL EXPERIENCE--written
by and featuring the author--I jumped at the opportunity to learn
even more.

And learn I did in this fascinating book . . . most of all, I became
acquainted with the following major components of the flow experience:

* There's clarity of goals.

* Feedback is immediate. You know moment-by-moment how well
you're doing.

* The challenges of the activity are matched with the skills of the person.

* There's a feeling of focus on what you're doing.

* Everyday frustrations are removed from your attention.

* You feel that you can be control of your life.

* You also lose a sense of self-consciousness.

* And as I previously observed, a sense of time is transformed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Surfing the Slipstream of Sanctity, February 28, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Flow: The Psychology Of Optimal Experience (Audio Cassette)

Flow cascades with liberating insight on how to derive real enjoyment moment-by-moment and taste the true richness of living. Csikszentmihalyi's (pronounced chick-sent-me-high) intelligence tuned my worldview to the positive flux of a pleasurable state of mind marked by concentration and deep satisfaction. With this keen manual for optimal existence, I now set "autotelic" challenges via an action system that accentuates the ebb between being and becoming. The rewards are powerful; a contented context - a connecting order that illuminates meaning and the potential to transform the entirety of life into a single flow activity that provides constant evolutionary purpose. An essential emanation for the idea generation. **** Mark Riva

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE FLOW NETWORK, August 16, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Flow: The Psychology Of Optimal Experience (Audio Cassette)

Take steps towards enhancing the quality of your life - explore FlowNet and exchange ideas and experiences associated with Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's Flow theory @ http://www.flownetwork.com