Gen X-ers know it as ''being in the zone''. For those in the positive psychology movement, it is simply called ''flow''.

In this state, nothing else matters. We are so immersed in what we are doing that time stops and we are completely in the moment.

The architect of ''flow'' theory, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi - who believes accessing this state of transcendence is the key to a meaningful life - says cultivating the skill and making space for it will lead to more productive workplaces, smarter schools and contented communities.

But as he prepares to give the keynote address at a happiness conference in Sydney, he warns that hectic lifestyles and the march of technology have hindered the ability to find our flow.

''The constant interruptions make losing the self in whatever you're doing much more difficult. People need to learn how to turn off their cellphones and not be glued to their computers all the time,'' Professor Csikszentmihalyi says from California, where he is co-director of the Quality of Life Research Centre at Claremont Graduate University.

While he urges us to take more time to be still, interestingly he says the early adopters of smartphones and tablets are now leading a trend to turn them off.

So how do you bring more flow into your life? The professor says ''cycles of solitude'' - whether for days or weeks - in which we are less socially stimulated, can promote a more focused state.

He also recommends ''job crafting'' in the workplace - finding ways to maximise time spent doing enjoyable tasks, and minimise those that are less satisfying.

Melbourne psychologist Sally McCormack says positive psychology is not about avoiding difficult emotions. ''It's about realising you don't have to enjoy every moment that you're doing things. So you don't have to enjoy exercise to feel good about having exercise,'' she said.

Happiness & Its Causes, Sydney's Seymour Centre, May 29-30