At the heart of every championship run lies more than raw skill—it’s about the mindset that pushes you beyond limits. Li Xiaofeng (ID: Sky), the legendary Chinese esports player who dominated Warcraft III at the World Cyber Games in 2005 and 2006, broke new ground not just with his build orders but with his approach to the game.
In an exclusive chat with CGTN for PAGE X, Sky opened up about the moment he discovered the power of flow—a mental zone where distractions fade and peak performance feels effortless. Inspired by the book Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, he shared one quote that resonated deeply: "For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued…"
"Once you’re in flow," Sky explained, "your attention zeroes in on the smallest detail—whether it’s an incoming enemy unit or an opening in the map. I’ve won matches by spotting a split-second opportunity others missed." This razor-sharp focus helped him navigate high-pressure matches and secure back-to-back WCG crowns.
While his build orders and micro-control are the stuff of esports legend, Sky credits his reading habit with unlocking the mental gears behind his success. "Flow isn’t magic," he said. "It’s a skill you cultivate, just like training a hero in-game."
PAGE X, known for inviting guests from diverse fields to share a favorite excerpt, aims to bring the world’s great ideas online and remind audiences of the joy of reading. Sky’s take on flow offers not just gamers but entrepreneurs, students, and changemakers a real-world blueprint for deep work and peak focus.
Whether you’re a digital nomad mapping out your travels, a startup founder ideating on the next big app, or a young global citizen hungry for new insights, Sky’s story proves that optimal experience is within reach—so long as you’re willing to clear your mind and lean into the flow.
Reference(s):
PAGE X: Complete focus, clear mind and entering a flow state
cgtn.com
