flow, that state of full immersion where someone performs at their ultimate peak. (Location 46)
feeling satisfied that you’ve had a good day, productive by whatever standard works for you. That’s what we mean by “optimal.” (Location 50)
Having a satisfying day, rather than some mind-blowing peak experience while in flow, offers a key to achievement and fulfillment—not to mention avoiding burnout. (Location 68)
There are several ways to tell if you are in such an optimal state. People in this zone are more creative, able to come up with novel and useful solutions.2 Their productivity at turning out high-quality work stays high. They feel committed to their work, despite any difficulties. And their inner state reveals itself in how they treat the people around them: they are positive, supportive, fun. (Location 110)
“A win may not always look like a great triumph, but what counts is that you really put your heart into it.” (Location 140)
Brain studies tell us that too-high levels of the neurochemicals secreted under stress can torpedo our cognitive abilities—uncontrollable stress, for instance, impairs our attention and our ability to suppress inappropriate responses.10 (Location 155)
In popular usage “flow” has become synonymous with the times we are at our peak. Companies are encouraged to help create flow states in people who work there.12 But here’s the problem with flow: it’s by definition a rare event, that one time when we are at our absolute best. (Location 177)
That’s why we favor an optimal state, one that can occur as a result of our own efforts, and far more of the time than such peak flow events. (Location 181)
Having a good day means we’ve done well enough to quietly congratulate ourselves. (Location 184)