Key points

Flow is about deep focus, balancing challenge with skill, and losing track of time.

Purpose-driven activities naturally lead to flow and sustained happiness.

Little‑p purpose means enjoying the process, not just chasing big goals.

Everyone can access flow by doing what truly lights them up daily.

Flow has captivated athletes, businesspeople, creatives, and happiness seekers alike ever since the Hungarian-American psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi introduced the concept in the 1970s and elaborated on it in his book Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience (1990). Flow, often known as being “in the zone” by athletes, is associated with:

Intense focus on the present, where distractions vanish

A precise balance between challenge and skill—neither too hard nor too eas

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