Mihály Csíkszentmihályi: The Father of Flow

Diving down through 30 meters of water on a single breath felt effortless — I was utterly immersed in the moment.

The instructor described freediving as a journey outside of time, and in that instant, it certainly felt that way. I was in “flow.”

Mihály Csíkszentmihályi (2009) described these and other immersive flow states as “optimal experiences,” capturing the very essence of flow and offering a potential path to meaningful happiness.

Such a sense of deep engagement and connection with ourselves and our environment is not just present in sports. It can be found or built into all aspects of our lives, from the workplace and education to our relationships (Csíkszentmihályi, 2016).

This article explores the work of Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, touted as the father of flow, his contribution to our understanding of flow, and its potential to build flourishing lives.

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Who Was Mihály Csíkszentmihályi?

Mihály Csíkszentmihályi died in 2021, aged 87. The world lost a great researcher, thinker, and early proponent of positive psychology (Risen, 2021).

The Hungarian American psychologist is widely regarded as someone who profoundly impacted our understanding of creativity and focus and is often referred to as the father of flow (Risen, 2021).

Csíkszentmihályi’s (2009, p. 2) early research led him to the conclusion that “happiness is not something that happens,” nor is it simply the result of “good fortune or random chance.” Instead, we can prepare for and cultivate it by taking control of our inner experiences, shaping the quality of our lives (Csikszentmihalyi, 2009).

Csíkszentmihályi argued that when people enjoy what they are doing — feeling fully engaged and immersed in their activity — they experience states of existence beyond the ordinary. Happiness then is closely linked to “taking control over the contents of our consciousness” and a complete absorption in the task at hand (Csikszentmihalyi, 2009, p. 2).

To explore and explain such optimal experiences arising from how we perceive situations and events in our lives, Mihály Csíkszentmihályi introduced the term “flow.” It describes moments when our consciousness intensifies, our self-consciousness disappears, and we perform at our best (Csikszentmihalyi, 2009, 2016).

Early Life & Academic Journey

Mihály Csíkszentmihályi was born in Fiume, Italy (now Rijeka, Croatia), in 1934 to Hungarian parents, diplomat Alfred Csíkszentmihályi and homemaker Edith Jankovich de Jeszenicze, who later worked for the United Nations (Risen, 2021).

Alfred later helped Hungarian Jews escape his home country during the Second World War before the family fled to Italy when communists took over the Hungarian government in 1947 (Risen, 2021).

Mihály decided to study psychology after attending a lecture by Carl Jung. Later, having moved to the United States, he studied at the University of Chicago to achieve his bachelor’s degree in 1960 and doctorate in 1965 (Risen, 2021).

While Csíkszentmihályi and colleagues were researching the creative process in the late 1960s, they noticed that when artists’ (painters in particular) projects were going well, they ignored everything else, often at significant personal cost. They persisted despite hunger, discomfort, and tiredness, but only until the work was complete (Snyder & Lopez, 2011).

These observations steered his focus toward understanding what makes activities intrinsically rewarding and laid the groundwork for his flow research and theory. Such autotelic activities, as they came to be known, are fundamental to the conditions that foster flow (Snyder & Lopez, 2011).

The Concept of Flow

Typically, individuals describe flow in terms of optimal experiences. According to Mihály Csíkszentmihályi (2009, p. 71), they occur when “one’s skills are adequate to cope with the challenges at hand, in a goal-directed, rule-bound action system that provides clear clues as to how one is performing.”

Flow theory argues that when we are entirely focused and engaged in the present moment, we are in a state of flow and, therefore, intrinsically motivated. We find the activity rewarding simply by doing it rather than being solely focused on the potential rewards received upon its completion (Csíkszentmihályi, 2016).

Conditions of flow

Several conditions are essential to entering flow (Snyder & Lopez, 2011):

• Perceived challenges and action opportunities should stretch skills and abilities, though not excessively.
• Goals should be relatively short term (proximal), specific, and detailed.
• Immediate and actionable feedback must be available to promote continuing progress.
• Concentration should be focused and intense.
• Action and awareness should merge.
• Reflective self-consciousness fades or is lost.
• Our sense of being in control of our actions and responding to changing situations increases.
• Time distorts. Often, things appear to happen more quickly than in reality.
• Experiences feel more intrinsically rewarding, with the end goal justifying the effort involved.

The “autotelic personality”

Some individuals are better able to reach flow than others. They are described as having an autotelic personality. Csíkszentmihályi (2009) suggested that, as a result, they are more likely to enjoy life and perform activities for their own sake rather than to achieve some external goal.

How do we achieve flow?

To a large extent, we can control our ability to enter a flow state. Understanding the answers to the following questions helps us meet each of the conditions of optimal experience, including clarity of a goal, immediate feedback on progress, and balance between skill level and challenge (Csíkszentmihályi, 2009):

What do I want to achieve or gain from this activity?
How will I know when I am performing this activity well?
Based on my current skill level, how challenging does this activity need to be to maintain my interest and engagement?

To learn more about how to get into flow, read “How to Enter Flow State: 6 Activities & Trainings” and watch Mihály Csíkszentmihályi’s TEDx video “Flow, the Secret to Happiness.”

Flow & Positive Psychology

Flow theory and positive psychology both aim to understand and create flourishing lives and are closely related in their approach to building “a vision of the good life” (Csíkszentmihályi, 2016, p. 281).

Crucially, Mihály Csíkszentmihályi’s (2009) research noted two key strategies to improve our quality of life:

1. Make our external conditions match our internal goals.
2. Change how we experience such external conditions and situations so they fit our goals better.

The two strategies highlight essential differences between perception and reality.

The first strategy recognizes that, at times, through luck or goal-directed action, we can change our surroundings to align with what we are trying to achieve. The second strategy highlights that, on other occasions, we have no control over external events, only how we perceive them (Csíkszentmihályi, 2009).

No single strategy is always effective. Flow theory suggests combining and embracing both approaches by engaging in or modifying activities so that they are challenging yet within reach (Csíkszentmihályi, 2009).

Positive psychology also recognizes these factors as vital, highlighting that awareness and application of “positive subjective experience, positive individual traits, and positive institutions promise to improve quality of life” (Csíkszentmihályi, 2016, p. 279).

Ultimately, Csíkszentmihályi’s (2016) pioneering work offers support for the field of positive psychology. His insights into optimal experiences enrich our understanding of how deep engagement, intrinsic motivation, and focused attention foster wellbeing. While mastering flow improves individual performance, it also (potentially) nurtures positive traits and environments.

Csíkszentmihályi’s (2016) research underpins many of positive psychology’s core tenets by reinforcing the idea that deliberately cultivating enriching experiences is key to a flourishing life.

Mihály Csíkszentmihályi’s Contributions & Key Works

Mihály Csíkszentmihályi’s (2016) Flow and the Foundations of Positive Psychology: The Collected Works of Mihály Csíkszentmihályi includes 30 years of study focused on three key areas: attention, flow, and positive psychology.

Several notable papers in the volume worth highlighting include:

• “Attention and the Holistic Approach to Behavior”
  Attention regulates our consciousness. In this article, Csíkszentmihályi examines flow experiences and the connection between attention and optimal functioning.
• “The Experience of Freedom in Daily Life”
  Freedom is recognized as a fundamental element of a flourishing life. This paper explores our experience of freedom in our everyday lives and its potential for boosting our quality of life.
• “Toward a Psychology of Optimal Experience”
  This is a vital work that explores how the quality of our experiences shapes whether our lives feel worth living.
• “The Concept of Flow”
  Here, Mihály Csíkszentmihályi explores key aspects of the flow concept and their potential for using complete absorption and optimal experience to create a “good life.”
• “Positive Psychology: An Introduction”
  Csíkszentmihályi and Martin Seligman combine a discussion of flow theory and positive psychology to consider how to help individuals, communities, and societies flourish.

Note: The above is only a sample. Dig deeper into the book for a full and more complete selection of his works.

Find the book on Amazon.

Criticisms of Flow & Challenges in Research

New findings in neuroscience and psychophysiology continue to offer deeper insights into the mechanisms underlying flow experiences. While ongoing research further refines our understanding and confirms the importance of flow theory, it also recognizes several key criticisms and challenges (Norsworthy et al., 2021).

1. Construct validity and contextual variability
   The conditions or dimensions that make up flow may vary between activities and contexts, such as educational settings or among musicians and elite athletes.
2. Theoretical compatibility
   It isn’t easy to align flow theory with existing research or theory due to its (frequent) nonacademic use of language.
3. Definitional inconsistency
   There is no agreed-upon definition of flow. Therefore, researchers and practitioners struggle to compare and synthesize flow research.
4. Measurement issues
   There is substantial variation and a lack of consistency in the instruments used to measure flow. ​No single instrument adequately identifies when a person is in or out of flow.
5. Overemphasis on challenge–skill balance
   Some researchers focus only on the challenge–skill balance dimension when operationalizing flow. It may oversimplify the complexity of flow experiences.

Future research must focus on agreeing on a more coherent and consistent framework for understanding, measuring, and applying flow theory across different disciplines and contexts.

The Enduring Legacy of Flow

Flow theory and Mihály Csíkszentmihályi’s research continue to have a significant and enduring impact on various fields and life domains (Norsworthy et al., 2021).

Flow states are widely studied in sports, where they are recognized as linked with exceptional performance and positive subjective experiences, boosting motivation, engagement, and wellbeing (Goddard et al., 2023).

Flow theory has been applied across multiple educational settings, with recent successes applying it to learning and scientific research, increasing student and researcher engagement and motivation (Norsworthy et al., 2021).

Elsewhere, deepening our understanding of optimal experiences is helping promote improved satisfaction and performance in the workplace and innovative contexts such as virtual reality, online games, and consumer engagement (Arghashi & Yuksel, 2022; De Fraga & Moneta, 2016; Huang et al., 2023).

Several innovative businesses, such as the Flow Genome Project, have built upon the legacy of Csíkszentmihályi’s work and created financially successful learning and performance frameworks for leaders, entrepreneurs, and those wishing to push their personal limits.

Why Mihály Csíkszentmihályi’s Work Still Matters Today

Mihály Csíkszentmihályi’s research and examination of flow theory remain valuable for academics and practitioners involved in improving performance and wellbeing (Norsworthy et al., 2021).

• It provides a framework for understanding and promoting optimal experiences. Such insights are valuable across sports, education, relationships, and the workplace.
• Flow is linked to high performance, wellbeing, and positive development. By studying and applying the principles, it is possible to enhance productivity, creativity, and overall life satisfaction.
• The theory can be applied across multiple academic domains, including psychology, neuroscience, education, and organizational behavior.
• Flow theory contributes to positive psychology by identifying conditions that lead to optimal experiences and personal growth.
• The approach offers insights into achieving deep focus and reducing anxiety in a world of endless distractions.

Best Resources From PositivePsychology.com

We have many resources available for therapists and coaches supporting clients in becoming more engaged in and focused on their performance.

Our free resources include:

• Skills for Regulating Emotions
  Learn how to make time for positive experiences each day and attend more closely to helpful emotions.
• Anchor Breathing
  Breathing skills can help ground us during stressful times and improve our depth and duration of focus.
• Focus on the Present for Radical Acceptance
  Learn how to combine focus and acceptance to embrace the moment.

More extensive versions of the following tools are available with a subscription to the Positive Psychology Toolkit©, but they are described briefly below:

• Finding flow in the classroom

Flow can be used to increase student engagement and learning enjoyment. Explore the following strategies for boosting flow in the classroom:

• • Strategy one – Find an appropriate balance between the degree of challenge for the task and the students’ abilities.
  • Strategy two – Provide the students with a sense of autonomy by giving them a choice over how and when they perform tasks.
  • Strategy three – Ensure that tasks have clear goals and provide appropriate feedback.
  • Strategy four – Teach students to be mindful and increase their focus.
  • Strategy five – Build positive relationships between peers and with teachers.
  • Strategy six – Ensure students understand the relevance of tasks.
• Creating flow experiences
  Flow requires an optimum balance between a challenge and the individual’s skills. The following steps help create flow experiences.

Ask clients to:

• • Step one – List existing flow-producing activities.
  • Step two – Rank the top three.
  • Step three – Understand how and why they meet flow conditions.
  • Step four – Identify opportunities to engage in them more often.

If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others become more productive and efficient, this collection contains 17 validated productivity and work efficiency exercises. Use them to help others prioritize better, eliminate time wasters, maximize their personal energy, and more.

A Take-Home Message

Haven’t we all felt moments of deep engagement and immersion in what we are doing?

Psychologists call this “flow.”

The term was first used by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi (2009), whose research into optimal experiences began in the late 1960s and led to his flow theory.

Crucially, flow theory encourages us to take control of our inner experiences, recognizing that happiness is more than something that happens to us; it is something we can influence.

By taking control, we create states of existence that boost our performance and wellbeing.

And by creating the right conditions, almost any task or situation can become one of flow. The perceived challenge and skill become balanced, goals are set within reach and clearly defined, feedback is regular and helpful, and focus is intense and consuming (Csikszentmihalyi, 2009, 2016).

Unsurprisingly, flow state research has shown its importance in relation to work, education, sports, and even relationships in recent decades.

Therefore, if you are working with clients who are having challenges with engagement, motivation, focus, or performance in any life domain, explore where they are currently achieving flow and how they can use that knowledge to create more happiness and flourishing in their lives.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Productivity Exercises for free.

ED: Updated March 2025