Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi was a Hungarian-American psychologist best known for his groundbreaking work in the field of positive psychology, particularly for developing the concept of “flow.” Born in 1934 in Hungary, Csikszentmihalyi experienced firsthand the challenges of a turbulent era, which influenced his interest in understanding what makes life truly meaningful. His extensive research into human happiness and well-being led him to discover that people experience their highest levels of satisfaction when they are fully absorbed in meaningful activities—a state he termed “flow.”

Csikszentmihalyi’s work has had a profound impact on our understanding of creativity, motivation, and happiness. He held academic positions at several universities, including the University of Chicago and Claremont Graduate University, where he continued his research and teachings on optimal experiences. His studies have inspired countless individuals to pursue activities that bring them joy and fulfillment, and his insights have influenced fields ranging from education to business, where the principles of achieving flow have been applied to enhance performance and life satisfaction.