Living Well: The Psychology of Everyday Life

by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi

A profound exploration by a leading American psychologist of what it means to have a good life, of living well and well being, using the theory that human beings are at their most creative, most rewarded ahd happiest when they are performing in a state of "flow"; when details are subordinated to the purpose. The result is an unusual combination of serious psychology and self-help; a book that answers the questions self-help books ask, but in a way that reflects the cutting edge of psychological research and thinking.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

175 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

A Hungarian psychology professor, who emigrated to the United States at the age of 22. Now at Claremont Graduate University, he is the former head of the department of psychology at the University of Chicago and of the department of sociology and anthropology at Lake Forest College.

He is noted for both his work in the study of happiness and creativity and also for his notoriously difficult name, in terms of pronunciation for non-native speakers of the Hungarian language, but is best known as the architect of the notion of flow and for his years of research and writing on the topic. He is the author of many books and over 120 articles or book chapters. Martin Seligman, former president of the American Psychological Association, described Csikszentmihalyi as the world's leading researcher on positive psychology.

Csikszentmihalyi once said "Repression is not the way to virtue. When people restrain themselves out of fear, their lives are by necessity diminished. Only through freely chosen discipline can life be enjoyed and still kept within the bounds of reason." His works are influential and are widely cited.

Reviews

[PJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just read Flow instead.

[Bres · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as it set out simply how to live well. Most of its 'advice' is known but I find to be reminded of it now and then a worthwhile exercise. The author is a researcher in this field so it varies a bit more weight as I you're getting the interpretation of the research directly rather than it being regurgitated by a 'self-help' author. I thought he let himself down with the last chapter where he lightly refers to gods, religion or other alternatives re a higher purpose. For me the purpose is better if it comes from within and not a within that needs an external catalyst... a minor annoyance in a book I enjoyed.