The Rise of Superman

The Rise of Superman

Author: Steven Kotler

Rating: 5/5

The Rise of Superman is the perfect primer of flow and the eccentric characters who are pushing the limits of peak performance in the realm of action and adventure sports. Steven Kotler is a fantastic and engaging author and this book is written to pull you along for the ride of your life. If you have any interest at all in flow states and peak performance, you owe it to yourself to read this book. It covers all of the research that has led up to the modern day for flow as well as priming you on the conditions and neurochemical state of flow, plus the triggers for spending more time in flow for yourself and your tribe.

Flow

Flow by Mihaily Cszkizentmihalyi is an essential read for anyone studying flow and world-class performers. This classic on the subject is the layman’s terms version of the decades of research that Cszikzentmihalyi did on studying and coining the term of flow state. 

This book goes on a deep dive through the subject of happiness and optimal experience which is usually how flow gets defined. 

It starts by exploring happiness and how we consciously process the state of happiness and then digs deeper into the state of flow and how it gets produced through various activities. 

Ultimately flow requires a challenge be pushed to the limits of the individuals capabilities. Whether it is assembling widgets in a factory and striving to constantly do it a little faster, or free soloing a rock wall that has never been done before. Just about any activity or job can become flow-producing when the right conditions are met.