Being in flow is similar to being in the zone where you are deeply involved in what you’re doing. Books about the flow state describe how to enter this realm for increased growth and performance. Books about flow function as recommendations to assist you in achieving the best possible outcome and transforming your whole life.
Also, these books can be a form of guide to a more exciting and satisfying existence, regardless of your interest in them or your need for helpful advice. So, if you want to achieve flow, gain greater focus, and ultimate human performance, come with us as we walk you through 5 best books on flow that can help you.
1• “The Art Of Learning” by Josh Waitzkin
- Audible Audiobook
- Josh Waitzkin (Author) – Josh Waitzkin (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 04/01/2014 (Publication Date) – Tim Ferriss (Publisher)
“THE ART OF LEARNING” is one of the best books on flow state by Josh Waitzkin that deals with the inner journey into optimal human performance and practical ideas. In this book, Author Josh Waitzkin, who also happens to be a chess and martial arts champion, shares his thoughts and experiences on acquiring knowledge and reaching a flow state in various aspects of one’s life.
It also provides helpful guidance on how to overcome everyday life obstacles, learn efficiently, take intentional action, and enter flow states for optimal performance. It’s a book for anyone interested in finding flow.
2• Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
- A great option for a Book Lover
- Great one for reading
- Compact for travelling
- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 336 Pages – 07/01/2008 (Publication Date) – Harper Perennial Modern Classics (Publisher)
In this book by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, THE PSYCHOLOGY OF OPTIMAL EXPERIENCE, readers will learn the idea of flow, which happens to be a state of mind where people can achieve optimal experience. They can accomplish this by engaging in challenging and demanding activities. Also, the author highlighted the immense fulfillment and increased focus that one can achieve with the flow state, emphasizing the significance of matching one’s skills to the problems at hand. Reading the psychology of optimal experience will provide you with all the guidance on creating the conditions that lead to flow states to enable a fulfilling life.
3• “Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
- Audible Audiobook
- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Author) – Sean Pratt (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 12/07/2015 (Publication Date) – Gildan Media, LLC (Publisher)
“Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life” is another fantastic publication by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi that teaches in detail what the flow states of an individual’s everyday life experiences are. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi further explained how far a person’s life can go and how they can boost their well-being when they create and seek flow opportunities earnestly in diverse areas of their life. They can find fulfillment, joy, and peace in this.
4• Living in Flow: The Science of Synchronicity and How Your Choice Shapes Your World by Sky Nelson Isaac
- Audible Audiobook
- Sky Nelson-Isaacs (Author) – John Mark Bowman (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 11/12/2019 (Publication Date) – North Atlantic Books (Publisher)
One of the best authors of books on flow, Sky Nelson Isaac wrote living in flow: the science of synchronicity and how your choices shape your world deserves a flower for a job well done. While reading this book, I forgot I had my lunch on fire because I was so engrossed. The book gives a thoughtful look at the relationship between the celestial bodies and human decisions. In his discovery of the idea of synchronicity, Isaac weaves together personal experiences and scientific theories to present a strong argument for how our choices affect the course of events.
Although some readers might find the combination of science and spirituality difficult to understand, Sky Nelson Isaac makes a compelling argument that is thoughtful and leaves opportunity for individual interpretations. You should purchase this book. It’s worth your time and money.
5• “The Rise of Superman” By Steven Kotler
- Audible Audiobook
- Steven Kotler (Author) – Jeff Cummings (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 03/04/2014 (Publication Date) – Brilliance Audio (Publisher)
Steven Kotler’s book “The Rise of Superman” explored the idea of flow in extreme sporting activities, showing how competitors reach new heights of performance and test the limits of human endurance. The book digs deep into the neurobiology underlying flow. It offers perspectives on how people in different professions might use this condition to improve their well-being, imaginative thinking, and performance.
In his analysis of peak performance periods in sports like skiing or snowboarding, rock climbing, and surfing, Kotler shows how players overcome obstacles in a flow state with apparently superhero skills. Outside sports, the book offers helpful suggestions for anybody looking to use flow to achieve optimal performance as well as individual development in their everyday life.
Now, let’s take a look at some questions our audiences find confusing below:
Which flow book is best?
The word best is subjective because what I regard as best may differ from yours. However, aside from the books on flow states we discussed above, you can also check out the following books on flow states:
- Stealing Fire by Stephen Kotler and Jamie Wheal
- Audible Audiobook
- Steven Kotler (Author) – Fred Sanders (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 02/21/2017 (Publication Date) – HarperAudio (Publisher)
- The Mindful Athlete: A Guide for Harnessing Your Inner Strength by George Mumford
- Audible Audiobook
- George Mumford (Author) – J. D. Jackson (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 03/15/2016 (Publication Date) – Brilliance Audio (Publisher)
- Dare by Brené Brown
- Audible Audiobook
- Brené Brown (Author) – Brené Brown (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 332 Pages – 10/09/2018 (Publication Date) – Random House Audio (Publisher)
What Books Can I Read About Mental Flow?
If you’re a lover of books on mental flow states, check out the list below:
- Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
- Audible Audiobook
- Cal Newport (Author) – Jeff Bottoms (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 01/05/2016 (Publication Date) – Hachette Audio (Publisher)
- The Surrender Experiment by Michael A. Singer
- Audible Audiobook
- Michael A. Singer (Author) – Michael A. Singer (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 06/02/2015 (Publication Date) – Random House Audio (Publisher)
- Peak: The New Science of High Performance by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool
- Audible Audiobook
- Robert Pool (Author) – Sean Runnette (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 05/10/2016 (Publication Date) – Audible Studios (Publisher)
What is the Psychological Concept of Flow?
The psychological concept of flow is a state of the mind also known as complete involvement and commitment in a task, which often leads to a feeling of inactivity and intense satisfaction. The concept was developed by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and it usually happens when an individual’s abilities match the demands of an activity, thereby producing a harmonized and fascinating experience.
What is the Emotion of Flow?
The emotions of flow are when a person becomes wholly focused on a demanding task that aligns with their abilities. It is also characterized by increased focus and a distorted sense of time. Again, it’s a mental condition in which the person feels completely satisfied and focused on the present happenings.
Final Thoughts
Reading books about flow helps you understand what the flow state is all about. It helps you with practical ideas and optimal experience. It’s also a form of modern science that can fill in for theoretical physics. To achieve more significant focus in your everyday life, effortless action is needed. So, the best books on flow we reviewed above can help you achieve optimal performance in your career. Furthermore, Olympic athletes can benefit significantly from the best books mentioned above. Get them and start taking actionable steps.
